Photo By Sgt. Cassandra Monroe | Dyna Shirasaki, lead vocalist for the all-female AC/DC tribute band Thund 'Her' Struck...... read more read more
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CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE SPEICHER, Iraq — Thund 'Her' Struck, an all-female AC/DC tribute band, performed for service members at the COB Speicher gym Jan. 25. The band, which is named after the AC/DC song "Thunderstruck," performed a selection of songs such as "Hell's Bells" and "TNT," as well as older AC/DC hits.
Thund 'Her' Struck is composed of five musically accomplished women who spread their motto "Let There Be Rock." They have performed at numerous events and venues, and have been featured on many radio and television programs and in many magazines. They have performed at many national and international festivals, fundraisers, trade shows and corporate and military events. The band plays material from both AC/DC eras, and has been recognized as "Best Tribute Band" by All Access Magazine, and has received a letter of commendation from Dianne Feinstein, senator of California.
While at COB Speicher, the band first stopped by the Division Main Headquarters, greeting Soldiers as they enthusiastically approached the band for handshakes and photos in the main foyer.
The "Thund 'Her' Struck" female band also signed band flyers for the Soldiers, cracked a few jokes with a few high spirited fans. One Soldier even printed a recently taken photo of himself and the band and had them sign it, while another held up a home-made sign and presented it to the full foyer full of fans.
After a brief media conference, and a couple of guitar tune-ups, the women hit the stage with wide smiles on their faces and guitars strapped at the ready. The first guitar riffs broke the silence and the crowd roared as the band played their first song.
Halfway through the set, the ladies dedicated the song "Girl's Got Rhythm," to the females in the crowd and asked for a few volunteers to come to the stage, which was met with great response. Female service members ran up to the stage, not letting their chance to show what they could do slip. A female Marine imitated the guitarist and garnered cheers from her peers.
"I had a blast," said Army Sgt. Patricia Leal, a vehicle mechanic with the 209th Aviation Support Battalion, who took photos with her digital camera while on stage with the band members.
"It was really awesome to see people break out of their shells and to let a little piece of them out," said Leal.
The band members would agree that being on stage brings out a different side of them.
"I can go crazy, it's like an alter ego," said Thund 'Her' Struck lead guitarist, Tina Wood. "I can do goofy stuff and everyone thinks it's cool."
The excited male service members in the crowd had their chance of fame too. During "Back in Black," the service members sang along with the band, rocking their heads, bodies and arms back and forth.
During the rest of the set, the crowd surpassed previous energy levels, with fists and "rock on" hand symbols rocking back and forth in the air to the rhythm.
"People out here are a lot louder and the energy is just amazing," said Andrea Zermeno, the band's bassist. "It's a completely different thing. We get the warmest, enthusiastic response."
As the band started to conclude their performance, they came back onstage for an encore. Although the women are an AC/DC tribute band, they gave the crowd a sample of some of their Led Zeppelin tunes.
"I expected to have a good time and rock out, which I did," said Army 1st Lieutenant Jason Odom, a cavalry officer with the 1st Battalion, 98th Cavalry Regiment, a Mississippi National Guard unit. First Lieutenant Odom and a group of male Soldiers went on stage to rock out, and even crowd surfed.
"It's a really good stress reliever for the crowd and myself," said Odom.
"The countries that are in conflict are the most special to us, because that's where we feel the entertainment is most needed, "said Zermeno.
The band concluded their evening with a meet and greet with those who attended the show, and signed posters, posed for photos with servicemembers and exchanged hugs and smiles.
"These tours are special and unique and the reception is like no other," said Zermeno.
However, one thing is for sure for service members here in Iraq: their autographed posters will not last for a very long time, but their memories of this night will last a lifetime. Although these servicemembers are here in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, they still know how to have a good time and let their wild side come out.
| Date Taken: | 01.30.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 01.30.2010 19:19 |
| Story ID: | 44662 |
| Location: | CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE SPEICHER, IQ |
| Web Views: | 717 |
| Downloads: | 412 |
This work, Speicher service members rock out with 'the girls', by SGT Cassandra Monroe, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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