Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Brent Hunt | From left, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Adan Caballero, pilot, Spc. Jason Goodwin,...... read more read more
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By Sgt. 1st Class Brent Hunt
Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division
CAMP TAJI, Iraq – A group of deployed Soldiers from the Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad, whose goal was to start a rock 'n' roll band on their off duty time, played their first live concert at the Mud House on Camp Taji, Nov. 18.
Dubbed "The Rise and Fall," the "Iron Eagle" Soldiers played a ten-song gig comprised of mid-90's hard rock classics on the Army post north of Baghdad for a standing room only crowd.
The band, comprised of Soldiers from the CAB's second and third battalions, are: Chief Warrant Officer 2 Rich Montoya, a pilot who sings and plays guitar; Spc. Chad Fisher, a Black Hawk helicopter crew chief who is the lead singer; Chief Warrant Officer 2 Adan Caballero, a pilot who plays guitar and sings; Chief Warrant Officer 3 Phil Lopez, a pilot who plays the bass guitar and also sings; and Spc. Jason Goodwin, an electronic devices repairer who is the band's drummer.
"Last deployment, when we were here, I used to sing during the Karaoke nights," said Montoya from Hialeah, Fla., who is on his second tour to Iraq. "This time, I convinced some guys to bring their instruments when we deployed. When we got here, we had the intent of putting together a band.
"I got with the command sergeant major and he hooked me up with a music room to teach people how to play an instrument and practice," he added. "Low and behold, there are a lot of musicians in this battalion."
During the band's first concert, the Rise and Fall played songs such as "Santa Monica," by Everclear, "New Age Girl," from the Dumb and Dumber soundtrack and "When I Come Around," by Green Day.
Although they have only been together a month, the Rise and Fall are already working on making their own songs and briefly opened for Everclear when the mainstream band came to Camp Taji to perform a live concert for the troops.
"It was great," said Staff Sgt. Jason Wahn, battalion standardization instructor, Company A, 2nd Bn., 4th Avn. Regiment from Houston. "Everclear was standing right there watching them and when the mayor's cell wanted to pull the plug so they could set-up for Everclear, members of Everclear said 'no let them keep playing.'"
Montoya said it was a milestone to open for Everclear and wants to keep practicing and composing songs. With only a month together and two concerts under their belt, many who have seen them play have high hopes for the band.
"They have a really good sound, and I enjoy the type of music they play," said Pfc. Stephen Baker, infantryman, 1st Bn., 14th Inf. Regt., 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Inf. Div., MND-B, from Dixon, Ill. "It is amazing how well they play together since they only started this a month ago.
"When I heard them play before Everclear, they were pretty comparable to them," he added. "I even heard some people say they liked the opening band as much as Everclear. I am looking forward to hearing them play again."
| Date Taken: | 11.18.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 11.25.2008 08:59 |
| Story ID: | 26772 |
| Location: | TAJI, IQ |
| Web Views: | 413 |
| Downloads: | 294 |
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