35 Headliners for the Buffalo Chip’s 35th Anniversary?

PUBLISHED ON TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2015
By Mary Panerio

A tremendous amount of work and juggling goes into securing entertainment for a music festival like the Best Party Anywhere™, and the process always starts by taking requests from fans like you. Now that planning for the Buffalo Chip’s 35th anniversary party has started, many of you have already named bands you’d give your left nut to see perform. Below is a list of 35 of them (in no particular order). Are these really the bands you’d most like to see be a part of the 2016 lineup? Yes, no, maybe so?

DISCLAIMER: The following list in no way indicates any of these 35 bands will actually be able to be confirmed. It merely provides a platform for you to share your heart’s desires so the Chip can find out who you’d like to see. Sturgis Rider® News takes no responsibility for any band on this list failing to don spandex, play a solo with their teeth, ride a motorcycle onto the stage, sign your wife’s cleavage or even show up at the Chip at all. Share at your own risk.

Bob Seger

Much like the Buffalo Chip itself, the music of living legend Bob Seger has attracted music fans of all generations. Seger has brought his distinctly American sound to venues all over the world throughout his 50-year career, but he hasn’t yet made it to the Chip. Do you think its due time he bring that “Old Time Rock ‘n’ Roll” to the Best Party Anywhere™?

Motörhead

English power trio Motörhead have been bringing their bone-crunching rock ‘n’ roll to fans across the globe for over 40 years, but have never made a stop at the Legendary Sturgis Buffalo Chip. After having to cancel some recent shows due to frontman Lemmy Kilmister’s health issues, Motörhead’s “Bad Magic Tour” is back on schedule. Do you think a Buffalo Chip date will be added?

Dream Theater

Progressive metal band Dream Theater is renowned among both fans and fellow musicians for their tremendous technical proficiency. Among countless honors the band’s players have earned, guitarist John Petrucci sits on “GuitarOne’s” list of the Top 10 Fastest Shredders of All Time. Petrucci recently shared an update on Dream Theater’s forthcoming album–the band’s 13th. Do you hope this album release is supported by a stop at the Legendary Buffalo Chip?

Halestorm

Halestorm’s third studio album, “Into the Wild Life,” has been receiving critical acclaim ever since its April 2015 release. Would hearing songs like “Apocalyptic,” “Amen,” and “Dear Daughter” at the Buffalo Chip’s 35th anniversary party turn on your wild side?

Five Finger Death Punch

Five Finger Death Punch has been pumping out brutal heavy metal albums like clockwork for the last eight years. After the band’s Sturgis Buffalo Chip® debut at the Chip in August and album in release September, guitarist Zoltan Barothy told Revolver that now is no time to “take your foot off the gas pedal.” Do you hope that means 5FDP will be making tracks to the Chip’s 35th anniversary in 2016?

Brantley Gilbert

Whether it’s giving away his seats at the CMT awards to a veteran or asking to do a burnout on the carpet during his backstage interview, it’s hard to predict what Brantley Gilbert will do next. Are you crossing your fingers that another “Small Town Throwdown” in Buffalo Chip, South Dakota is something he’ll do in 2016?

The Pretty Reckless

The Pretty Reckless’ most recent album, “Going to Hell,” made quite a splash in the rock world, and it definitely left an impression at the Chip in 2014. What do you think the chances are that they’ll be back again for Sturgis 2016? After all, they did swear it was the “best f***in’ venue in the world!”

Alice in Chains

It’s rumored that alternative grunge metal band Alice In Chains is working a follow up to their 2013 album “The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here.” The band’s last two album releases have been supported with extensive touring. Do you think they’ll have the album finished in time to put on a show for Chip fans in 2016?

Stone Sour

Stone Sour’s songs effortlessly mix heavy riffing and aggressive lyrics with emotive textures and melodies. The band’s newest EP features their own renditions of songs by Alice in Chains, Judas Priest, KISS, Metallica and Black Sabbath. Would you like to hear them bring this new batch of covers to the Chip in 2016?

Marilyn Manson

Shock rocker Marilyn Manson’s most recent album, “The Pale Emperor,” has received a great deal of critical acclaim. The album’s supporting “Hell Not Hallelujah Tour” is on its eighth leg, but who says there couldn’t be a ninth? How much would you like to see him bring his spectacle to the Chip for the 35th anniversary party?

Toby Keith

Toby Keith is a touring machine with over 40 million albums sold in his 20+ year career. The country megastar just put out his 18th album, “35 MPH Town,” on October 9, which means a supporting tour is likely soon to follow. If there’s a tour, do you hope a stop at the Legendary Buffalo Chip would be included?

Godsmack

Godsmack’s take-no-crap attitude along with their hard-rockin’ tunes crushed fans during their Buffalo Chip debut in 2015. Guitarist Tony Rombola and drummer Shannon Larkin told Chris Trew in their Studio 14 interview how much they loved looking out and seeing all the motorcycles in the crowd. Do you hope they’ll be able to do it again for the Chip’s 35th anniversary?

Kid Rock

Kid Rock is one of the Buffalo Chip’s most-requested artists of all time. He tempted fate at the Chip in 2013 when he performed during an epic South Dakota thunderstorm while being filmed for the CMT special “Kid Rock: Live at Buffalo Chip.” Do you hope lightning strikes twice and brings him back again?

Eagles

The Eagles are one of the best-selling bands of all time and have a list of hits longer than the epic guitar solo in “Hotel California.” Would seeing them perform at the Chip’s 35th put your life in the fast lane?

Dee Snider

Dee Snider is an avid rider and Sturgis Rally devotee. After having been to the Buffalo Chip both as a performer and a guest, he threw out some twisted ideas in a Studio 14 interview that could really take the Best Party Anywhere to the next level. Do you hope his ideas become a reality during the Chip’s 35th?

Seether

Seether’s Nirvana and Alice in Chains-influenced post-grunge hard rock has been blowing up charts and landing hit singles on rock radio since 2002. They rocked the Legendary Wolfman Jack Stage in 2007, so maybe a return to the Buffalo Chip is in order.

Maroon 5

Maroon 5 has experienced massive success since their debut album released in 2002. Their mixture of rock, pop and soul has won them a large and diverse fan base; it’s also earned singer Adam Levine a spot on “The Voice,” helping choose the next generation of music superstars. Do you hope Maroon 5 will encourage the next generation of bikers to head to the Chip for the 35th anniversary party?

38 Special

Southern rock sensation 38 Special has watched the Best Party Anywhere grow and improve ever since filming the DVD “38 Special – Live at Sturgis” in 1999. Frontman Don Barnes shared his predictions for future Buffalo Chip parties backstage in Studio 14 prior to the band’s 2015 Chip performance. Do you predict 38 Special will be in the 2016 lineup?

Pink

Pink found success as a pop artist but has crossed over into several genres. Her live performances reflect that, featuring a talented band that puts on a rock ‘n’ roll show, rather than a spotlight on a diva and stage full of backup dancers. Would you like to see her get the party started at the Sturgis Buffalo Chip in 2016?

Heart

Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Heart combine elements of progressive rock and folk music into a memorable and hypnotic blend that’s been captivating audiences for nearly 50 years. The group hasn’t played the Chip since 2004. So do you think it’s time they “Go Crazy On You” again?

Chicago

Chicago is one of the most successful rock groups of all time, having sold more than 100 million records in the course of their nearly 50-year career. Do you think their next “Saturday in the Park” could be at the Largest Music Festival in Motorcycling™?

John Fogerty

John Fogerty has written some of rock ‘n’ roll’s most beloved songs, both as a solo artist and as a member of Creedence Clearwater Revival. Have you been blasting these timeless tunes of Fogerty’s on the Buffalo Chip Rock Vol. 1 playlist ever since his performance at the Chip in 2015? If so, you’re probably hoping he rides that “Mystic Highway” to the Chip again in 2016.

Theory of a Deadman

Canadian hard rock band Theory of a Deadman have been touring relentlessly in support of their 2014 release, “Savages.” The tour takes them all the way through Spring 2016. Do you think they’ll add another leg and include stop at the Chip during the 35th anniversary party?

Shinedown

Florida rockers Shinedown have sold more than six million albums worldwide in their less than 15 year career. When they brought the Sounds of Madness to the Chip in 2015, guitarist Zach Myers explained how much he loved the Buffalo Chip atmosphere in his Studio 14 interview. Do you hope he lobbies to come back to get your adrenaline pumping again in 2016?

Chevelle

Chevelle is a hard rock power trio whose sound packs enough horsepower to rock the Legendary Wolfman Jack stage into oblivion. Would a Sturgis Buffalo Chip performance from them in 2016 make you redline?

Danzig

New Jersey hard rock band Danzig is the brainchild of Glenn Danzig, founder of the influential band the Misfits. The band travels to all sorts of interesting utopian locales; the word on the street is that Glenn even recently spent time in Portland on the set of IFC’s “Portlandia.” Should a trip to Buffalo Chip, South Dakota be next on the list?

Mastodon

Grammy-nominated progressive metal band Mastodon brought a new kind of heavy to the Buffalo Chip in 2013. And even though frontman Brent Hinds recently said in an interview that he “never liked metal in the first place,” the band is showing no signs of giving up the hard stuff any time soon. Should Hinds and the crew take the “High Road” back to the Chip during the 2016 Sturgis Rally?

Texas Hippie Coalition

Texas Hippie Coalition frontman Big Ritch said the band is “like Lynyrd Skynyrd and ZZ Top had a child, and Pantera ended up raising it.” Numerous requests in 2015 prompted the Chip to secure the group’s Best Party Anywhere debut. Are you one of the many who’d like their Red Dirt metal to Ride On for the second year in a row at the Chip?

Reverend Horton Heat

Dallas, Texas psychobilly act Reverend Horton Heat describe their sound as “country-fed punkabilly.” They’e built a feverishly devoted following around the United States with their hilarious and high-energy hard drinkin’, fast drivin’ and dysfunctional breakup tunes. Would you have a “Psychobilly Freakout” if they came to the Buffalo Chip?

All That Remains

Massachusetts metal outfit All That Remains’ blend of brutality and melody has made them a staple of hard rock radio. Their tours have brought them to some of the biggest rock festivals in the world, but they have get to cross the Best Party Anywhere off the list. Would you like to see All That Remains bring their “Tru-Kvlt-Metal” to the Buffalo Chip’s 35th Anniversary Party?

Steel Panther

Steel Panther’s satire of the arena-sized hair, sound and debauchery of the Sunset Strip hard rock bands of yesteryear can be hard to take serious. Their ability to absolutely shred, however, is no joke. Would you like to laugh your ass off and bang your head at the same time with a performance from this L.A. retro metal band?

Social Distortion

Social Distortion is the epitome of a do-it-yourself rock ‘n’ roll band. Founded by lead singer and guitarist Mike Ness at the age of 16, the band has endured countless ups and downs and built a devoted following all without the support of large record labels or radio stations. When not performing, Ness’ life revolves around custom bikes through his own custom parts shop, Black Kat Kustoms. After seeing Social D’s Chip performance in 2015, would you like to see Ness roll back out onto the Wolfman Jack Stage on one of his own creations?

Sixx:A.M.

2014 marked the last time you’ll ever see the infamous Motley Crüe, but that doesn’t mean seeing Crüe bassist Nikki Sixx is off the table. While the Crüe will be hangin’ it up at the end of 2015, things are only beginning for Sixx:A.M. Would a performance at the Buffalo Chip’s 35th be in the cards?

Kanye West

According to Kanye West, much of the inspiration for his music comes from iconic rock bands like U2, Led Zeppelin and the Rolling Stones. His incredible ability to reinvent the sound of these and other rock ‘n’ roll greats has helped him become one of the best-selling artists of all time. Do you think it’d be a refreshing change to have Yeezy in the lineup in 2016?

Killswitch Engage

The stars seemed to have aligned for Massachusetts metal band Killswitch Engage. Their most recent album, “Disarm the Descent,” reached no. 1 on the US Top Rock and Hard Rock album charts and also earned them a Grammy nomination. Not to mention, their lead guitarist recently won over $50,000 in prizes on “The Price Is Right.” Do you hope the band’s good fortune continues and earns them a spot in the Chip’s lineup.

Foo Fighters

After falling off the stage during a stadium performance in Sweden this last July, Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl performed the rest of the show with a broken leg. But his injury ultimately cost the band the rest of its summer tour. The band now seems to be chomping at the bit for something big. Do you think it should be the Buffalo Chip’s 35th Anniversary?

Dying to know more about how the Buffalo Chip books its acts? You can find out what goes into the process under the “How do you choose bands?” section of the Chip’s FAQs.

Want to be the first to find out which bands will be rocking the Chip during their 35th anniversary party? Be sure to sign up for the Sturgis Rider® Newsletter (open lightbox with newsletter sign up form).

Are there any bands on or off this list that you’d like to see perform at the 2016 Sturgis Buffalo Chip? Let us know which ones would get your vote in the comments below!