Calling all metal heads. Are you looking for the perfect rock-n-roll party, just a short drive away from Tulsa, to make your weekend complete? Look no further than the Oklahoma City Zoo Amphitheater this Saturday.

The Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival invades the Sooner State, closing out the 2010 tour in Oklahoma City. Headliners include Rob Zombie, Korn, Lamb of God and Five Finger Death Punch. In all, twelve bands will be rocking into the night on three stages as the festival wraps up it’s 26 city tour that began in July.

The festival got it’s start in 2008 when Vans Warped Tour founder Kevin Lyman and Taste of Chaos partner John Reese put it all together. The tour has been metal to the core since it’s inception, with Slipknot and Disturbed splitting headlining duties the first year. Marilyn Manson, Slayer, Killswitch Engage and Bullet for My Valentine were the star attractions in 2009.

The 2010 version of the day-long rock fest keeps with that theme and turns it up a notch with the additions of Zombie and Korn. As of 2009, Korn has sold 25 million albums in the United States and more than 35 million worldwide. Their song “Freak on a Leash” from the 1998 album Follow the Leader, is one of the band’s biggest hits to date. The song netted Korn a Grammy Award for Best Hard Rock Performance.

If you’re a fan of the metal sound, chances are very good that you know Rob Zombie. In fact, even if you are not a metal fan, you may be familiar with some of his other work. Zombie has turned out hits over the course of the last 15 years, both on the radio and in movie theaters.

Aside from music, Zombie is well known as a big fan of horror films. He has even tried his hand at making horror films, writing and directing 2003’s House of 1000 Corpses and it’s 2005 sequel The Devil’s Rejects. In 2007 Zombie wrote, directed and produced a remake of the hit horror franchise, Halloween. The film grossed over $80 million worldwide.

Zombie broke into the spotlight in 1992 as the front man of the band White Zombie. The group’s big break came with their album La Sexorcisto: Devil Music, Vol. 1 which included smash hits “Thunder Kiss ‘65” and “Black Sunshine.” Their name came from the 1932 independent horror film of the same name starring Bela Lugosi. Their lyrics are said to be heavily influenced by horror films.

Zombie released his first solo album, Hellbilly Deluxe, in 1998 just before White Zombie disbanded. The album was almost instantly successful, with the hard-charging singles “Dragula”, “Living Dead Girl” and “Superbeast” propelling it to number five on The Billboard 200.

Following a label change in late 2009, Zombie released Hellbilly Deluxe 2 in early 2010. While his new album is making it’s rounds, Zombie has stated in interviews that his shows will continue to be a mixture of all of his music, with the majority of his setlist coming from his more established hits.

Tickets are still on sale for Saturday’s show and are available online. Gates open at 1 p.m. For more information on the 2010 Mayhem Festival, including complete lineup and directions visit zooamp.com.

Santa Cruz, CA band Dirty Penny will be making a stop at Cain’s Ballroom 2nd Stage Friday, August 13, 2010.  Along with special guests and local Oklahoma bands; Firstryke and Beyond What’s Given.

Citing influences such as: Mötley Crüe, Poison, Guns ‘N Roses, and L.A. Guns – Dirty Penny has not only embraced and absorbed the sex-fueled, leather-encased sound and image, they’ve brought it to a new generation, shoved it down their pants, thrown it against the wall a few times, and tattooed it into their souls.

Dirty Penny was originally a Poison cover band, ironically called Antidote. They later had to drop Antidote due to a Dutch band of the same name. 

Bassist Tyno Molinaro (Tyno Vincent) said this about the band:

"We were into old-school punk, like The Misfits, when we first got into music, then got into glam as a FU to our hometown…But punk’s got a lot of rules, and that’s not very punk. Rock’n’roll doesn’t have any rules — everybody can do drugs or not do drugs or dress however they want. A lot of people are tired of the screamo/I’m-not-okay thing. It’s like, everyone’s not okay, you know? Forget about it. Have fun. That’s what you do with music — you forget about your sh*%." “Antidote was like our training wheels when we were learning how to play, but I consider the start of our band as being when we became Dirty Penny and recorded our album…There are a lot of haters…We’re labeled a cover band in Santa Cruz and that’ll probably never change, but it’s cool to go out and experience respect for what we’re doing now from older metal bands.”

If you are into good time rock n roll and are a fan of any of the aforementioned bands, this is the show for you.  "The Boys" as they like to be called, are fresh off the 2010 Rock N America show in OKC and will be bringing their "Take It Sleazy" style and passion to this show.

Cain’s 2nd Stage, Friday, August 13, 2010

Doors open at 7:00 pm, show starts at 8:00 pm

Openers:  Firstyke and Beyond What’s Given

Tickets:  Advance $15, at the door $17.

America’s #1 show has been on tour since July 1st with the top 10 contestants from Season 9. This season, they are; Aaron Kelly, Andrew Garcia, Casey James, Crystal Bowersox, Didi Benami, Katie Stevens, Lee DeWyze, Michael Lynche, Siobhan Magnus, and Tim Urban.  Lee DeWyze was crowned the 2010 winner of American Idol and his first single was a remake of U2’s “Beautiful Day”, released May 27th, 2010.

The show started on time to a mostly full arena at the BOK Center. The first four to sing were Didi Benami, Andrew Garcia, Katie Stevens and Tim Urban. They all sang 2 songs each and sounded very much like seasoned artists. All the nerves we saw on American Idol the show were now gone. No one sounded pitchy or flat or off key. I was truly amazed by the talent that each one instilled. Removing the judging panel seems to have removed some of the awkwardness we would sometimes see on the show. Each one shinned in their own way.

Next up was Siobhan Magnus which started a three song trend for the next 4 artists. Magnus opened with “Painted Black” by the Rolling Stones. In her punk rock gear, Siobhan gave a haunting performance of the song which really got the crowd going. She is known for being able to carry a note very long and very high and delivered it all tonight. You definitely get your monies worth just watching her set.

Concert goers Beau Richards and Kyle Bradley were enjoying the show next to me. Kyle said “this was a must see show!” I also found out that he is 23 and graduated from college this past December. He has spent the last several months in Colorado skiing and since Kyle has not landed a job yet he said he was going to Austin Texas to audition for the American Idol tryouts for Season 10. Kyle definitely has the look; I guess we’ll see if he has the chops.

Aaron Kelly, Michael Lynche and Casey James were next. Casey came out with those golden locks and baby blues eyes opening his set with “I Got Mine” by the Black Keys. Casey had won the crowd with his charm and with the bluesy sound of his voice. Not only does Casey have the vocals, he wailed on the guitar like no one I’ve seen before from American Idol. Michael Lynche came out to join with Casey on “When a Man Loves a Woman”, that was also performed on American Idol the show. Women across the room were swaying and singing along to the perfectly performed duet.

The crowd rose to their feet when Crystal Bowersoxs’ name came across the screen. She came out dressed in all black still with her famous dreadlocks and lovely new smile. She opened with “What’s Going On” by 4 Non Blondes with everyone still on their feet, singing along. Crystal has a very folk, bluesy sound with a powerhouse voice. Her performance of “Up To the Mountain” written by Patti Griffin was a very emotional heart-felt rendition of the song. Bowersox finished her 4 song set with “Piece of My Heart” by Janis Joplin and left us with anticipation for Lee Dewyze.

Finally, the 2010 American Idol winner, Lee Dewyze took the stage. He opened the set with his single, “Beautiful Day”. His fans of all ages were holding up signed photos, wearing his t-shirts and screaming “I love you Lee!” Which he in turn said “I love you too.” From watching the show all season, it was evident that Lee had finally overcome his nerves. During the show, though Lee sang great for most of the season, the one thing that seemed to hold him back from winning was the problem he had with his nerves. He always seemed to be holding back just a little. He has definitely overcome that issue and was very charismatic on stage. Still, he has somewhat of a shy personality but was very endearing.  Lee did a soul-wrenching version of the song “Hallelujah “written by Leonard Cohen. He finally was letting it all out showing the real performer he truly is.

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Photos by: Kevin Pyle

All ten finalists came out to close the show singing 2 songs and ending with Kelly Clarkson’s “My Life Would Suck Without You.” This show was impressively entertaining. All the artists seem to have grown a lot since being on the show and honestly, all have the potential for being stars on their own. It was evident throughout the show that the finalists were appreciative of what American Idol has done for them and their careers.

Singer/Songwriter Jackson Browne brings his signature sound to Tulsa, Wednesday, August 11, 2010. 

Coming to prominence in the 1970s, Browne’s political interests and personal angst have been central to his career and resulted in such hits as "Somebody’s Baby", "These Days", "The Pretender" and "Running on Empty."  Browne is also a 2004 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee.

He has written songs for Joan Baez, The Eagles, Linda Ronstadt, The Byrds and others.  He is as famous for his music as he is for his ties to political work.  Having endorsed presidential hopeful John Edwards and later backing Barrack Obama.

Jackson Browne has been linked to some of the most influential and ground breaking artist of all time including Warren Zevon, Bonnie Raitt, Graham Nash, Clarence Clemons and David Crosby.  He is known for his soulful lyrics and guitar work, but may be one of the more underrated artist in the folk-rock genre.

On tour with long time friend and former band mate and collaborator David Lindley, this show is sure to be a throw back to his early days of writing and recording.

The tour is in support of his May 2010 release Love Is Strange.

Wednesday, August 11, 2010;  Brady Theater

Tickets available at Brady box office, all area Reasor’s and at ProTix.com

Doors open at 7:00 pm, show at 8:00 pm.

The hit TV show is doing it again, bringing the top 10 finalist for an up close and personal experience for the fans. The top 10 line-up consist of  Aaron Kelly, Andrew Garcia, Casey James, Crystal Bowersox, Didi Benami, Katie Stevens, Lee DeWyze, Michael Lynche, Siobhan Magnus, and Tim Urban.

America’s #1 show will be hitting the road and making their way to amphitheaters and arenas across the country. The shows started with their first stop July 1,st in Auburn Hills, Michigan and go through September 16th, ending in Portland, ME.

Simon Fuller, creator and executive producer of American Idol stated on the AI website; “We are all looking forward to this year’s American Idol Live! Tour. This is always one of the highlights of the year. Each of the Idols have the chance to meet the people that voted for them and perform at incredible venues all over America, another special moment in their developing careers.”

Shy and seemingly insecure AI hopeful Lee DeWyze ended up showing the world that he has what it takes to be crowned the 2010 American Idol. Through the season, as his confidence blossomed, so did his fan base. Lee DeWyze is exactly what American Idol is all about; normal guy working at a paint shop with the dreams of being a performer but no way to make it happen on his own. American Idol is once again helping people live the American Dream.

So head downtown Sunday evening, grab a bite to eat, then make your way over to the BOK Center to see your favorite Season 9 Idol.

WHEN: Sunday August 8th
WHERE: BOK Center
TICKETS: www.bokcenter.com
Doors open at 7:30 show starts at 8:30

Restaurant ideas near the BOK: Ti Amos, Mexicali Border Cafe’, Joe Momma’s Pizza, El Guapo’s Cantina, Blue Dome Diner, Yokozuna, Dilly Deli, and McNellies.