by Spc. Amanda Solitario
210th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
LSA ANACONDA, Iraq - As the guitarist struck the first chord, the crowd surged toward the stage for a better view of the four performers.
The beat of the music vibrated through the night air as bottles of water shot out into the sky raining down onto hundreds of screaming fans.
With every move from the tightly packed crowd, clouds of dust flew over the more than 3,500 servicemembers and civilians who rocked out in a high-energy concert with the Nu-Metal band Drowning Pool at Holt Memorial Stadium.
"For us to be here is an honor," said lead singer Ryan McCombs, who joined the group last July shortly after Jason Jones' departure in June. Jones replaced the original singer Dave Williams after his death in 2002.
According to the bass player, Stevie Benton, it was ironic for the band to play for the troops on the fifth anniversary of Sept. 11. After the tragedy in New York, one of Drowning Pool's most popular songs, "Bodies" was removed from many radio stations.
Those opposed to the lyrics said it reminded the public of the victims jumping from the twin towers. Benton said the meaning of the song was deeply distorted by the critics, and the way it was perceived was all wrong.
Despite the views of some, the song soon gained momentum in the military and was even used in training videos.
"We felt very vindicated and happy," Benton said. "It turned into a positive and motivating song."
The members of the band said it was unbelievable to be in Iraq five years later playing that very tune for the troops.
"It is sweet justice," said C.J. Pierce, the guitarist.
After a moment of silence to remember the lives lost in Sept. 11, Drowning Pool took to the stage, turning the dirt field into a raging mosh pit. Some fans even dared to crowd-surf above the sea of uniformed personnel.
The band said they love to watch the troops escape from the realities of war and lose themselves in the music for just a little while.
"It is nice for us to give everybody a mental break from the seriousness that goes on out here," said Mike Luce, the drummer.
The four rockers had their own combat experience only hours before the show. While touring the Air Force Theater Hospital, the base took indirect fire, which almost resulted in the canceling of their performance.
Luce said after visiting Anaconda and seeing things first-hand, he gained a new perspective on what daily life is like for the troops.
"It blows your mind," he said.
Drowning Pool admires the military, Pierce said. This is their second USO tour, and they are always playing near military bases back in the states. They support the troops and the fans know it.
"For them to be here today shows a deep appreciation for the Soldiers," said Spc. Nicholas Hogan, a Soldier with the 72nd Signal Battalion, and a long time fan of the group. "You don't usually get that from a band of this caliber."
After their previous USO tour, the band was inspired to write a song about the men and women of the Armed Forces. They played the untitled track that night for the servicemembers stationed at Anaconda.
The concert was a mix of some of their most popular hits as well as several unreleased songs. Drowning Pool hopes the new album will hit retail shelves by March of next year.
"The troops are hearing it first which is awesome," Pierce said. "We are giving them a treat."
After the show, the group took the time to shake hands, take pictures, and sign autographs for the sweat and sand streaked faces of their fans.
Airman 1st Class Maria Loredo, a security force airman with the 332nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron said the concert was great, and she was glad to get out of her room for a little while.
"Things like this should happen more often," she said.
| Date Taken: | 09.11.2006 |
| Date Posted: | 10.19.2006 13:40 |
| Story ID: | 8068 |
| Location: | BALAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 241 |
| Downloads: | 37 |
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