Chasing Corona earns shot at the big time

Photo By Lauren Randall | Petty Officer 2nd Class Cole Childers, a gas turbine system technician (mechanical) in the Assault Craft Unit 4 at Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek in Virginia Beach, Va., and the lead singer for the band Chasing Corona, performs during the band's show opening for the Creed concert at the Verizon Wireless Virginia Beach Amphitheatre.  

08.24.2009

Story by Petty Officer 3rd Class John Suits 

Navy Public Affairs Support Element East - (Reserve)

With two active duty Navy service members in the band, Chasing Corona has still found time to rock its way into the music industry with one album released and another one in the works.

JPetty Officer 2nd Class Cole Childers, the band's lead singer and Petty Officer 1st Class Brian Farley, lead guitarist, met each other in 2005 during a mutual port visit to Aqaba, Jordan, during a "Battle of the Ship's Bands".

"It was cool how the Navy brought the band together," said Childers. "Not only how I met Brian in Aqaba, but also how Brian met Johnny [our drummer] when he was stationed in Seattle."

They've also won several Battle of the Bands contests and performed shows in support of Fleet Week New York in 2007, 2008 and 2009.

"The USO [United Services Organization] requested us to be repeat performers after our Fleet Week New York experience," said Childers. "It was cool because we got to perform at Times Square."

The bands debut album, titled "Black Eye and Candlelight," features songs written by the band. Local media from all over Hampton Roads have also caught onto Chasing Corona's sound. The singles "Sand to Stone," "Crawling," "Your Demise" and "White Lies" are just some of the songs hitting the air waves.

"[100.5 MAX FM] gave us our first local start," said Childers. "They played our songs in rotation for two-and-a-half years. We won two of their Battle of the Bands contests."

The band's other two members, drummer Johnny Tatum and bass guitarist Kevin Palos, aren't service members, but do support the contributions military members make every day toward the United States.

"I might not be in the military, but I grew up around service members," said Palos, whose father retired from the Navy as a master chief petty officer. "I know I have to appreciate everything they do for us. The military has been very supportive of our band."

According to the band, it has contract offers but is holding meetings before making any big decisions on signing. The band has stated that if it signs a record deal, the service members will not re-enlist.

"If we do sign a contract, it has to be a big one," said Childers. "So that we know it's worth giving up our careers when we have families to support."

The band has recently wrapped up opening for alternative rock band Creed at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater in Virginia Beach, Va. Chasing Corona is scheduled to performance in the End of Summer Bash at nTelos Wireless Pavilion in Portsmouth, Va., Sept. 12.

• Date Taken: 08.24.2009
• Date Posted: 08.24.2009 15:34
• Story ID: 37892