Presidents Rock Rogers County

High energy alternative band plays Hard Rock Hotel & Casino

By Joy Hampton

October 4, 2009 — CATOOSA — Partiers from Rogers County and across the greater Tulsa metro area rocked down in a fun-filled, kinetic concert by alternative rock band, The Presidents of the United States, Saturday night at Friction.

As the political beat reporter, I felt it was important to be in attendance for a variety of reasons. One must always keep one’s finger on the pulse of community events after all.

Friction was packed. Apparently, the Presidents have a lot of constituents in this area. The pulse of the crowd was jovial and friendly.

In Oklahoma, we’ll talk to just about anybody. Throw us together in a cozy feel-good night club, and friends are made, even if we never learn their names.

Cherokee Nation Entertainment chose well in booking these Presidents or PUSA, for short.

Known for goofy lyrics and a variety of sounds that appeal to all ages, PUSA hit the scene in the 1990’s and have recently seen a revival following the inclusion of several of their songs on Rock Band 2.

Propelled back into the national spotlight, Chris Ballew, Dave Dederer and Jason Finn are making the tour rounds, this time with stops at Cherokee casinos in Oklahoma including concert performances at Cherokee Casino West Siloam Springs and Catoosa’s latest hot spot, Friction, located inside the brand-spankin’ new Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa.

Both PUSA performances were free.

“The Cherokee know how to party,” Toby Keith told the press last year in an appearance to announce his agreement to put a restaurant in the expanded casino complex. Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar and Grill is now open and attracting regular dinner traffic to the casino complex.

And he was right, the Cherokee are proving they do indeed know how to party down in Rogers County. At the Hard Rock, they’re bringing the rest of us along for the fun.

Saturday night’s concert started at 11 p.m. with the crowd already warmed up by music videos at the bar. Some had toured the new Hard Rock facility, checking out rockin’ memorabilia displays that include a drum from Pantera, guitars from a number of music icons, and costumes from such greats as Toby Keith, Brittany Spears, and Steven Tyler.

Inside Friction, it was standing room only. Audience participation was high throughout the concert with sing along lyrics, waving hands, and lots of dancing, jumping, and general noise-making in a performance best described as dynamic, interactive, and down-right fun.

The crowd was comprised of a mix of ages, with fans past and present reaching a friendly frenzy in response to the energetic performers.

Ballew and Dederer leapt into the air, while inviting and, at times insisting upon, audience participation in the songs. In his most daring moments, Ballew mounted and walked the edge of the elevated stage that hangs precipitously above the bar.

Friction, dubbed Tulsa’s newest night spot for dancing and live performances, provided a cozy venue that allows for an up close and personal feel while the elevated stage keeps performers in view. The dance space snakes around freestanding bars and tables.

Seating is limited, and booths in the back were purchased in advance. General access admission was free.

For a few brief hours Saturday night, even total strangers seemed to become friends inside of Friction.

“I’m a Cherry Street girl,” said one Tulsan as she wove her way through the crowd.

A quiet couple from Owasso swayed to the music, chatting with a resident from Inola who shared elbow space at circular table. Others came from Claremore, Coweta, and beyond. Security, quiet and helpful, was not quite invisible. And that was OK.

It was controlled chaos.

The most enthusiastic jumped up and down, screamed, sang, and danced through two-plus hours of live performance that culminated in the crowd chanting, “Tulsa rocks!”

For that night, Friction became a microcosm of a rockin’ community. An experience not available often enough in Tulsa, Oklahoma until now.

If Saturday night’s concert was any indication of the entertainment opportunities to be afforded this area by the new Hard Rock, this reporter gives it one gigantic “thumbs up.”

I’ll vote for those Presidents any day.

And the quality of the performance and concert experience means this party girl will keep one eye peeled on Friction’s upcoming entertainment calendar.

Disclaimer: The preceding story contains opinionated comments by reporter Joy Hampton that may not represent the views of less energetic editorial staff. Someone who looked very much like Hampton was seen in that same venue jumping up and down and screaming at the top of her lungs throughout the concert. Apparently, a doppelganger gone mad.

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