Northern Lights Rockfest

Photo By Sgt. Michael Blalack | Ryan McCombs, lead singer for the alternative metal band Drowning Pool, talks to the crowd of over 1600 that attended the Northern Lights Rockfest at Hangar 3 on Fort Wainwright, Alaska, Nov. 6. The concert, sponsored by MWR, was free to members of the military and their families and featured Drowning Pool and Alalska-based alt-rock band Static Cycle.  

FORT WAINWRIGHT, ALASKA, UNITED STATES

11.06.2010

Story by Spc. Michael Blalack 

United States Army Alaska

FORT WAINWRIGHT, Alaska -- The alternative metal band Drowning Pool played a concert at Fort Wainwright’s Hangar 3, Nov. 6.

The concert, which was sponsored by the Fort Wainwright Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation, was free to military and their families. The Alaska-based alt-rock band Static Cycle opened the show.

While on-duty military police helped security hold the barrier in front of the stage, the band thundered through songs off their new self-titled album and a few of their previous hits. They wrapped up with "Bodies," the band’s first hit from their 2001 album Sinner.

Throughout Drowning Pool’s career, they have been consistent supporters of U.S. troops, playing USO shows in Iraq and Kuwait, an MWR supported tour of South Korea and even a Memorial Day show at Guantanamo Bay in 2009.

“When it comes to the soldiers, we do this every chance we get”, said lead singer Ryan McCombs. “Being able to put on a show for these guys makes me proud to do this for a living.”

The band’s bassist, Stevie Benton, echoed the sentiment. “We put on rock shows every night, but 20 years from now it’s going to be the ones we did for the Soldiers that are going to stick in our minds as really meaning something.”

McCombs spent time between songs working the crowd, sometimes humorous, at others sincere, expressing his appreciation for soldier’s sacrifice and commitment.

Static Cycle, based in Anchorage, is quickly outgrowing its home state and receiving national attention for its innovate style of Indie Rock. The band’s riff-heavy set and front man Jared Navarre’s kinetic stage presence were quick to get the audience of nearly 1,600 loosened up and ready to rock.

“We’ve been trying to get up here to play for you guys for two years,” said Navarre. “This means a lot to us.”

After the concert, The Zone hosted a meet and greet with both bands signing autographs, shaking hands, and posing for pictures.

“It was a great show,” said Pfc. Billy Burgess, a forward observer with 5th Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division. “Drowning pool really delivered. They put a lot onto it, and so did Static Cycle. They were really good, too.”

“That was awesome,” said Spc. David Wood, an MP with the 28th MP Detachment. “We don’t get this often enough up here. “

For others like Spc. Anne Jachinowicz, the band provided a welcomed distraction from the growing darkness and dropping temperatures that signal the beginning of another long Alaska winter.

“It was great to loosen up and relax a little,” said Jachinowicz, a medic with the Brigade Support Battalion, 1st SBCT, 25th ID. “We needed something uplifting like this during this time of year.”

• Date Taken: 11.06.2010
• Date Posted: 11.18.2010 13:20
• Story ID: 60405
• Location: FORT WAINWRIGHT, ALASKA, US