'Filter' rocks out with Service Member's on Iraq tour

Courtesy Photo | Rob Patterson, a guitarist with the band Filter, rocks out with service members and contractor civilians during a concert on their “Loud and Proud” tour, Sept. 23, in Memorial Hall at Contingency Operating Base Adder, Iraq. (U.S. Army photo by 1st Lt. Nathan Lavy)  

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE ADDER, IRAQ

09.12.2010

Courtesy Story

3rd Division Sustainment Brigade

By 1st Lt. Nathan Lavy

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE ADDER, Iraq— Hundreds of service members gathered to watch the alternative rock band Filter perform, Sept. 23, in Memorial Hall at Contingency Operating Base Adder, Iraq.

“It rocked; there was good energy,” said Spc. Jeffery Bruce, a member of the Morale, Welfare, and Recreation team with the 224th Special Troops Battalion, 224th Sustainment Brigade, 103rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), and a Los Angeles native, who helped coordinate the event. “The show was awesome and the band members interacted with the soldiers. It was a great morale booster.”

Capt. Vanessa Marrero, a support operations effect officer-in-charge with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 224th Sust. Bde., and a San Diego native, echoed Bruce’s sentiments. “When I found out they were coming, I was stoked,” she said.

The performance at COB Adder was the fifth and final show on the band’s “Loud and Proud” tour in Iraq.

“This tour has been incredibly educational, meeting these young men and women, and the responsibility they hold,” said Miko Fineo, the band’s drummer, and a Los Angeles native. “We live a simple life at home, we realize and see how they [service members] miss home; it’s great to boost their morale and break their day-to-day routine.”

Filter played new songs during the show, as well as many of their historic hits, such as, “Hey Man, Take a Shot” and “Take a Picture.” Richard Patrick, the band’s lead vocalist, and a southern California native, took pictures of band members on stage and spectators during “Take a Picture,” using a camera from one of the soldiers in the crowd.

“It’s been overwhelmingly fulfilling to be able, as an entertainer, to donate my time and energy, knowing they are having fun and being entertained,” said Patrick.

In the attempts to make the show as fun as possible for service members, the band member’s often interacted with service members while on stage. “You’re at a rock concert, we feed off your energy,” yelled Patrick.

“I love it, it was entertaining how they were having fun on stage,” said Spc. Michelle Villafan, a soldier with HHC, 224th Sust. Bde., and an Atascadero, Calif., native.

After the performance, the band gave service members individual autographs of merchandise, such as guitar picks, band photographs, drum sticks, and even copies of their new CD, “The Trouble with Angel’s,” which was released in August of this year.

• Date Taken: 09.12.2010
• Date Posted: 10.11.2010 12:40
• Story ID: 57899
• Location: CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE ADDER, IQ