Buckcherry and The Protest Ignite Hi-Fi in Indianapolis with a Night of Pure Rock and Roll

By: Vincent Renn

As many of my followers know, I was raised in Orange County, California. So no matter where I have lived there have been a pocketful of bands close to my heart that were local and made the big chase. Now I live in the midwest, 20 miles south of Indianapolis. So when my local peeps come through, I am always ready to get down.

Buckcherry, came to town last Tuesday, and they were roaring like thunder (pardon the easy pun). They brought The Protest with them. A band from New Castle, Indiana. Now The Protest is this amazing christian rock and roll band, and yes they did briefly serve a message of Jesus loving you for who you are. As a nonbeliever, I would have been disappointed if they didn’t.

Their message was sent with Love though rather than a giant thump in the head. And that’s where they find their success. They are not shy to talk about their beliefs, but they offer open arms if you want to hear their message. In the meantime, they offer a 45 minute musical set of Rock and Roll, that few other bands currently out there offer. They were the real damn deal.

To anybody who’s never been to The Hi-Fi in Indy, I promise you are missing out. There were no rails for us photographers, and simply a stage lip to remind you just what kind of band was coming. The lights dropped.

Josh Todd walked on to stage as their music and his vocals played a brief preempt to their career as entrance music.
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My eyes and camera were everywhere on that stage, and then Stevie D hit that first lick of Lit Up!! They knew exactly what they were doing going in to a full frontal assault that literally covered all 30+ years of their career. Roar Like Thunder released June of 2025, but based on their traction and trajectoryI would expect more badass from a band that seems to not have stopped writing/making and touring since the release of “15”.

THE PROTEST

BUCKCHERRY