Seether performs for crowd on Okinawa, gains unexpected Corps insight

Photo By Cpl. Thomas Provost | Troy McLawhorn, a guitarist with the band Seether, rocks out during their performance at Camp Schwab, Okinawa, Japan as part of Schwab Fest 09, May 23-24  

05.29.2009

Story by Lance Cpl. Thomas Provost 

III Marine Expeditionary Force   

Rock band Seether met an audience unlike any they have ever performed for before - the U.S. Marines stationed on Okinawa, Japan, Saturday.

Even as veterans of hundreds of concerts, the rock band had no way to prepare for the show they were about to dive into.

An immense amount of energy seemed to generate around the camp as the crowd grew anxious and Seether's music was just the trigger they needed to unleash that force.

"Seether is used to some very intense crowds in the civilian world, but Schwab Fest really took the cake," said Shaun Morgan, the lead guitarist and singer. "The Marines' and sailors' passion was simply overwhelming."

Now that Seether has performed for Marines and other service members and their families on Okinawa, the band has a new understanding and appreciation of the Marine culture.

This crowd was clean cut and shaven, much different that the scruffy rock and roll crowd they are used to.

The Marines here are very polite, well-spoken, and professional, but also know when is the right time to party, said the band, collectively.

"You guys are not soldiers," Morgan said. "You are Marines."

While the typical concert activities, such as crowd-surfing, were not an option for these professionals, the service members still had the time of their lives.

To ensure the safety of the band and the Marines, military police and Camp Schwab's camp guard were on duty.

"Our main role was to provide security and to make sure the crowd didn't get hostile," said Cpl. Matthew D. Hanson, with the Special Reaction Team, Provost Marshal's Office, Marine Corps Base Camp Butler. "The crowd was intense but we kept professional and did our job." Hanson is from Mena, Ark.

The members of the band, which includes Morgan, Dale Stewart, John Humphrey and Troy McLawhorn, were immensely impressed with the brotherhood they saw in the Marines and the power and passion they generated during the concert.

Schwab Fest, "is no doubt the coolest thing we've ever done," said McLawhorn

• Date Taken: 05.29.2009
• Date Posted: 05.29.2009 03:29
• Story ID: 34254