Lit lights up the night

Photo By Sgt. Brandon McCarty | Members of the band Lit sign autographs and talk with service members after their concert at Camp Lemonier, Djibouti, June 27.  

CAMP LEMONNIER, DJIBOUTI

07.27.2007

Story by Sgt. Brandon McCarty 

131st Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

By Army Sgt. Brandon McCarty
Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa Public Affairs

CAMP LEMONIER, Djibouti -- Haircut at the barbershop: $5. One beer at the cantina: $1.50. A meal at the chow hall: free. Seeing Lit in concert while deployed overseas in a personal setting with fellow service members: priceless.

The band Lit performed at Camp Lemonier, Djibouti, in the New Cantina on June 27 as part of ongoing armed forces and navy entertainment efforts with Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) to bring live acts to deployed troops.

"I have wanted to see these guys for a while," said Spc. Micah Wells, Delta Company, 1st Battalion, 3rd Brigade (The Old Guard). "When I found out that Lit was playing here, I was excited!"

Lit kicked off their performance around 9 p.m. and played until 11 p.m. They took a brief pause at 10 p.m. for the playing of Taps (played as a signal of the end of the day and to say good-bye to fallen service members) and faced the flagpole with the crowd of more than 300 service members to show their respects. Five minutes later, the rocking continued.

"I grew up listening to Lit in high school," said Lance Cpl. Michael Haak, from the 6th Provisional Security Co. "To have them play here gives me motivation to complete the mission."

The post-grunge pop band based in Orange County, Calif., (featuring A. Jay Popoff – lead vocals, Kevin Baldes – bass guitar and vocals, Allen Shellenberger – drums and vocals, Dennis Hill – lead guitar and vocals) played songs off their new self-titled album as well as older favorites like 'My own worst enemy' and covers from Blur, Neil Young, and the Foo Fighters.

"While playing 'My hero' (by the Foo Fighters) I got goose bumps and started getting emotional from the overwhelming response from the crowd," said Popoff. "You could feel the energy building all around."

Lit invited the service members onto the stage as they ended the high-energy show with Neil Young's, 'Rockin' in the free world.' Lit stuck around after the show to meet service members, sign autographs and pose for pictures.

"There is a lot of heart and spirit in these military men and women," said Baldes. "They do so much for all of us. To see everyone enjoy themselves while we play on stage really brings a smile to my face."

Buying Lit's 'A Place in the Sun' CD from Amazon.com: $10.99. Downloading a Lit song from I-Tunes: $0.99. Sweating in the heat of the night with fellow service members, while rocking out to the band Lit: definitely priceless.

• Date Taken: 07.27.2007
• Date Posted: 07.27.2007 16:12
• Story ID: 11495
• Location: CAMP LEMONNIER, DJ