The turnout for the Uproar Festival at Darien Lake Performing Arts Center was moderate -- something over 6,000 paying customers, but those who did make their way to the venue surely weren't disappointed. There was plenty of quality music for the punk/grunge/heavy rock fan.
There were also activities and merchant booths to amuse concertgoers between acts.
While some might think all the of the action was on the main stage, the secondary change may actually have been more entertaining. The bands there were Cry to the Blind, the Chuck Shaffer Picture Show, Dead Daisies, Middle Class Rut, New Politics and Walking Papers.
The Dead Daises are an interesting act -- kind of a super group, though most fans would readily recognize the names of band members, they've all performed on hit records. The Dead Daisies are billed on the band's Web site as a project of former Guns and Roses guitarist Slash, but performing on lead guitar in Darien on Sunday was Richard Fortus, who has also taken on lead guitar duties with Guns and Roses.
Walking Papers was another experienced, tight band that knows how to put on a live show.
Definately in the up-and-coming category is the Chuck Shaffer Picture Show.
New Politics was entertaining, to say the least, and has a bit of an old-school British Punk vibe to their music.
On the main stage there was Circa Survive, Coheed & Cambria, Jane's Addiction and Alice in Chains.
Great performances all the way around, of course, but it was something special to see Dave Navarro (guitarist, Jane's Addiction, top photo) perform live.
You won't see photos of Alice in Chains here. The band's management insists on pre-publication approval of photos. I won't sign such an agreement. My deal is, I won't tell you what songs to play and you don't tell me what photos to shoot.
Perry Farrell, Jane's Addiction.
Adam Gilbert, drummer with the Chuck Shaffer Picture show.
Richard Fortus, lead guitar, Dead Daisies.
Middle Class Rut
Søren Hansen, guitarist, New Politics.
Anthony Green, Circa Survive.
Claudio Sanchez, Coheed & Cambria.
Claudio Sanchez, Coheed & Cambria.
