A SEA OF BODIES MOVING TO THE PULSE OF RAW SOUND 

As the ‘Rise of the Roach’ tour hits Seattle with Underoath, Rise Against and Papa Roach

The Rise of the Roach tour made its way to Seattles’ Climate Pledge Arena, Tuesday April first. An extraordinary excursion as Papa Roach and Rise Against team up for the first time for the Rise of the Roach tour, a high-energy co-headlining trek across North America. The tour, celebrating major milestones for both bands, will feature Underoath as the special guest, ensuring a lineup packed with power and passion.

The Rise of the Roach tour was conceived as a joint anniversary celebration: Papa Roach marks 25 years since the release of their breakthrough album Infest, while Rise Against commemorates 25 years since their formation. Despite their long-standing presence in the punk and rock scenes, this will be the first time these two legendary bands hit the road together.

“We can’t wait to bring the Rise Of The Roach tour to North America next year,” said Papa Roach frontman Jacoby Shaddix. “Rise Against are legends in their own right, and will bring another dynamic to this tour.”

Likewise, Tim McIlrath of Rise Against shared his excitement, saying, “After crossing paths with Papa Roach countless times over the years, we’re stoked to finally team up and put our bands together on the same stage and our fans together in the same room.”

Each band brings its own distinct energy and history to the stage, Papa Roach, with their signature nu-metal and alt-rock blend, the band continues to evolve while still carrying the fire of Infest-era hits like “Last Resort.” Underoath, the special guest on the tour, the Florida-born metalcore powerhouse adds a dynamic piece to the lineup, along with their unique history as a band. And of course Rise Against!

Opening the night with a relentless assault of screamo and metalcore, Underoath wasted no time in setting the tone. Coming out swinging, landing with a knockout blow-Literally. After the bands’ second song, frontman Spencer Chamberlain had to improvise announcing the band had knocked out the power. After the band realized the depths of the issue, I saw drummer, Aaron Gillespie jump from his throne and ran backstage, to what I can only assume would be panic and chaos. The band kept there composure, enticing the sea and joking that they could just play this off as one big April fools joke. After a short moment, Aaron Gillespie returned to his drumset and the band continued The band’s sonic onslaught, backed by pulsating strobe lights and guttural screams, leaving the audience primed for what was to come.

As the lights fell on the roaring crowd, an audio sample mixed of sounds, soft music and a bit from the late great, George Carlin came

spilling out from the hanging speakers, rolling onto the mass that awaited. Rise Against took the stage to a sea of bodies that began swaying like the choppy waters of the Pacific as soon as the band kicked in. With their charged anthems igniting a passionate response from the crowd, the energy surged as fans sang along to every word. Tim McIlrath’s vocals soared through the arena. Guitarist, Zach Blair shreds his six shooter sniping every note and bassist,  Joe Principe and drummer Brandon Barnes laid it all down in perfect rhythm, creating the force, the pulse of the beat. Just like their albums, there is not a sound that isn’t enjoyed, a lyric that doesn’t ring true and you feel it. Their set was equal parts fury and reflection, so enjoyable for me that it went by way too fast, but memorable nonetheless. A reminder of punk rock’s enduring power to provoke thought and inspire change through music.

It is only the first week of the tour, with many dates and stops till there final show of the tour on October 5th in  West Palm Beach, FL at the  iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre. See full dates and get tickets in the links below.

Rise Against last studio release was in 2021 with Nowhere Generation, but last month the band released the single ‘Nod’ AND today they have released their latest, ‘Prizefighter’ which can be heard here on Racketeer Radio KFQX or can be found here at https://i.riseagainst.com/prizefighter. Vocalist and lyricist Tim McIlrath explains a bit about the bands new single in a press release:

“‘Prizefighter’ is about a compulsion to create, that then creates an audience, and then your connection with that audience and your responsibilities to that audience, and how much an artist is obliged to that audience. It’s trying to reconcile the shift from spectator to the public arena, and what you owe the people that are your fans versus what you owe your own mental health.”

Thu Apr 03 – Salt Lake City, UT – Maverik Center
Sat Apr 05 – Las Vegas, NV – MGM Grand Garden Arena
Mon Apr 07 – Denver, CO – Ball Arena
Wed Apr 09 – Kansas City, MO – T-Mobile Center
Thu Apr 10 – Omaha, NE – CHI Health Center
Sat Apr 12 – Green Bay, WI – Resch Center
Sun Apr 13 – Saint Paul, MN – Xcel Energy Center
Wed Sep 10 – Bridgeport, CT – Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater
Thur Sep 11 – Syracuse, NY – Empower Federal Credit Union Amphitheater
Sat Sep 13 – Wantagh, NY – Northwell at Jones Beach Theater
Sun Sep 14 – Mansfield, MA – Xfinity Center
Tue Sep 16 – Washington, D.C. – The Anthem
Wed Sep 17 – Virginia Beach, VA – The Dome
Fri Sep 19 – Allentown, PA – PPL Center
Sat Sep 20 – Bangor, ME – Maine Savings Amphitheater
Tue Sep 23 – Cincinnati, OH – PNC Pavilion
Wed Sep 24 – Maryland Heights, MO – Saint Louis Music Park
Fri Sep 26 – Indianapolis, IN – Everwise Amphitheater at White River State Park
Sat Sep 27 – Tinley Park, IL – Credit Union 1 Amphitheater*
Sun Sep 28 – Clarkston, MI – Pine Knob Music Theatre
Tue Sep 30 – Rogers, AR – Walmart AMP
Wed Oct 01 – Franklin, TN – FirstBank Amphitheater
Thu Oct 03 – Charlotte, NC – Skyla Credit Union Amphitheatre
Sat Oct 04 – Tampa, FL – MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre
Sun Oct 05 – West Palm Beach, FL – iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre