Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Mark Wojciechowski | Spc Benjamin Callis is the drummer for "Alternate Soul." "Alternate Soul" is composed...... read more read more
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by Staff Sgt. Mark Wojciechowski
133rd MPAD
BAQUBAH, Iraq -- In a small containerized housing unit fortified with blast barriers in the middle of Forward Operating Base Warhorse is where "Alternative Soul" was born.
Five Soldiers got together, all from different parts of the country stateside, and all with slightly different preferences of music. Throw in a hectic work schedule in the middle of a combat zone and the result is an authentic sound that the name hits right on the head.
Sgt. Anthony Smith a tow missile technician with the 4th Infantry Division's 64th Brigade Support Battalion and the bands lead guitarist explains, "Alternate Soul has an Alternative Rock background with Soul overlaid on top of it."
The bands favorites range from Alternative Rock's Linkin Park to R&B's Lloyd and even country music's Rascal Flats.
Pfc. Jerrado Bryant, a Bradley mechanic with the Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Task Force Band of Brothers, covers the R&B vocals.
"I have been singing since I was nine, I grew up in a church as a Pastor's son," said Bryant who is from Pensacola, Fla.
Bryant trades off lead vocals with Spc. Daniel Franz of the 64th BSB when the band plays more alternative sounding songs.
Franz works as a vehicle mechanic and provides convoy security for B Company when needed. He also adds a little humor to the group: "I have never sung before, but I have done one tour in a cold shower," joked Franz who hails from Brussels, Wisc.
The newest addition to the band is Spc. Franklin Belvin also with HHT, HBCT, 4th Infantry Division, Task Force Band of Brothers. Belvin is a wheeled vehicle mechanic and bassist for the band.
"The band covers the best of both worlds. We have one vocalist that can sing the R&B side and one that can sing the Alternative side," said the Hampton, Va. native.
Laying down the beats for Alternate Soul is its drummer Spc Benjamin Callis who is also a wheeled vehicle mechanic with HHT.
"It gets me away from everything else and I kind of disappear into the music," said Callis who is from Indianapolis, In.
Guard duty, convoy security, and vehicle maintenance in a combat zone doesn't stop these guys from getting together to refine their new sound. The band already has 12 of its own songs and has all the ambition to stay together and cut a record once they get back to Fort Carson, Colo.
| Date Taken: | 08.02.2006 |
| Date Posted: | 08.02.2006 12:07 |
| Story ID: | 7372 |
| Location: | BAQUBAH, IQ |
| Web Views: | 92 |
| Downloads: | 37 |
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