Courtesy Photo | "The Surge", the 3rd Infantry Division rock band, performs some songs at Forward...... read more read more
Sgt. Kevin Stabinsky
2nd BCT, 3rd Inf. Div. PAO
FORWARD OPERATING BASE KALSU, Iraq – On Dec. 12, "The Surge" band members ventured off their large home base at Camp Victory to come to the smaller Forward Operating Base Kalsu to interact with Soldiers who regularly patrol the Arab Jabour and Hawr Rajab areas.
The quintet consists of vocalist Sgt. Holli Davis, drummer Spc. Aaron Rademaker, lead guitarist Spc. Theodore Dipietro, rhythm guitarist and noncommissioned officer in charge Sgt. Joshua Gardner and bassist Sgt. Benjamin Smith. The band played for more than an hour for diners at Rocky's, the FOB Kalsu dining facility.
Although the musical set for the evening consisted mainly of country songs, including Rodney Atkin's number-one hit, "If you're going through hell", Little Big Town's "Boondocks", and recent Kalsu visitor Kellie Pickler's "Things that never cross a man's mind", the band also devoted some time to other musical genres.
The variety of music the band plays is one reason behind its appeal. To please their audience, the band takes requests from audience members, said Smith, a native of Geneva, Ill. Any requested song unknown by the band is rehearsed between gigs and added to the band's repertoire.
The rehearsals, which Smith said the band tries to hold twice a day, also help keep the band's old sounds fresh in addition to teaching them new songs.
"They're an awesome band," said Sgt. 1st Class Mike Goodro, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Inf. Div., Provost Marshal Office NCOIC. "They are really good as far as a traveling band."
Even more amazing for the band, which travels around Iraq performing roughly 15 shows a month at outposts manned by Multi-National Division - Center Soldiers, is that with the exception of Smith, none of the Soldiers hold the band member military occupation specialty. Instead, the Soldiers come from a variety of jobs and were chosen after auditioning for the part.
"You'll be surprised at how music can bring people together," Davis said.
The statement applies to more than just the band. One of the most rewarding experiences about playing is seeing the audience unite in 'hoots and hollers' as the band plays, Gardner said.
For Soldiers at Kalsu, the experience did just that. As songs played, feet tapped, heads bobbed and when songs stopped hands began to clap.
"The Army has a lot of talent," said Staff Sgt. Joseph Lemos, 2nd BCT, 3rd Inf. Div., plans and operations NCO.
Lemos, whose family lives in Hinesville, Ga., said he had never heard the band before the dinner show and left with a favorable first impression.
"They were very good," he said, adding that as a person with no musical talent, he admires the Soldiers.
On a different note, Goodro who has some music talent, having played brass instruments in high school, said he can appreciate the Soldiers' skills.
"It takes a lot of guts," Goodro said of getting in front of a crowd and performing.
Due to their self confidence, Goodro, whose family resides at Fort Stewart, Ga., said Soldiers can have a positive experience. "It is a little touch of home; familiarity."
Lemos agreed, adding that Soldiers can get lost in the music and forget about where they are and troubles they may experience.
| Date Taken: | 12.15.2007 |
| Date Posted: | 12.17.2007 17:15 |
| Story ID: | 14780 |
| Location: | ISKANDARIYAH, IQ |
| Web Views: | 150 |
| Downloads: | 111 |
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