Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Mary Junell | Sgt. Jason Lane plays bass guitar while performing with the Army rock band Sunburn at...... read more read more
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BAGHDAD - Sunburn, like many other rock bands, had a packed schedule for their current tour, playing six shows in four days. The crowd at their show, Aug. 24, made sure to let them know.
In many ways, Sunburn is your typical rock band, catering to college-aged, modern rock listeners; practicing anytime work does not get in their way, and loving every minute of it.
However, they're not touring in the United States, they're in Iraq. They rocked a small stage set up on the basketball court at Forward Operating Base Falcon in Baghdad, not a bar. Sunburn, part of the Multi-National Corps—Iraq Band, is serving like other Soldiers, only carrying both instruments and weapons.
"This is exactly what we came [to Iraq] to do," said vocalist Sgt. Jennifer Champagne, of Houston. "We wanted to be able to get out and spread our music to all the places that don't have an opportunity to hear live music."
The band is currently hopping from FOB to FOB," and "seeing who's out there," said keyboardist Staff Sgt. Michael Johnson of Ellensburg, W.Va.
"This is the first time we've actually scaled down our rig to a small sound system, hopped in the MRAPs [mine resistant ambush protected vehicle] and convoyed around the country," said Johnson. "It's been an awesome trip."
Staff Sgt. Sheila Sawyer, with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 30th Heavy Brigade Combat Team, was one of many Soldiers who enjoyed the concert.
"They're great," said Sawyer, "It's a good change from the usual [routine]."
Soldiers have always found it easy to connect with others who share the experience of a deployment. Guitarist and lead vocalist Spc. Michael Nelson thinks this gives Sunburn an edge over other bands that play for military audiences in Iraq.
"This is a unique opportunity," said Nelson of Scarborough, Maine. "We have this brotherhood and sisterhood because we're all over here together. I think even though Soldiers get taken aback a little bit when they see a band in uniform playing, and in their head they're thinking 'Wow, this is kinda cool, these guys are playing some music but they know what we do, because they are what we are.'"
| Date Taken: | 08.24.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 08.27.2009 03:28 |
| Story ID: | 38005 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 5,288 |
| Downloads: | 5,165 |
This work, Sunburn: Not your typical rock band, by SFC Mary Junell, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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