thedrifter
05-22-08, 05:44 AM
GUITAR HEROES ROCK BOAT
By ZANDY MANGOLD
May 22, 2008 --
Rockin' and rollin' up the coast from Norfolk to New York, the USS Kearsage docked here yesterday for Fleet Week, carrying 1,300 sailors and Marines - and a Big Apple-based band that spends four months a year entertaining troops.
PHOTO GALLERY: Ships Enter New York For Fleet Week
http://www.nypost.com/seven/05222008/news/regionalnews/ships/photo01.htm
Led by frontman Ethan Isaac and drummer Todd Budich, the alt-rock band Edison has carved a niche by performing for US armed forces in some of the most dangerous spots in the world.
In Iraq's Camp Victory, they performed 100 yards from a captive audience, Saddam Hussein.
Lead singer Isaac gave a shout-out across the compound to the prison where Saddam was being held before the song "America Is A Bomb."
"You might not like this one," he warned the deposed dictator.
In Kabul, Afghanistan, the group was transported in a convoy of bullet-proof vehicles, and in Iraq helicoptered to gigs over rebel territory.
As the amphibious-assault vessel approached New York Harbor, Capt. James Gregorski saluted the band over the ship's loudspeaker - and in a private moment on the bridge thanked them for carrying out their most vital mission.
"They don't realize the service they provide," he said. "Troops go to a show and let go of things for a while then return to their duties refreshed and focused - and that's ultimately what saves lives."
As the ship sailed along, the band played driving originals and threw in covers of "Highway to Hell" and "Helter Skelter."
Seasoned rocker Isaac notes, "It's not like playing the club circuit. Here we are living what we are playing - we are in this crazy thing with our fans."
Upcoming assignments include the Marine Party at the Mean Fiddler in the West Village Saturday night and a Fourth of July concert for US forces in Heidelberg, Germany.
Ellie
By ZANDY MANGOLD
May 22, 2008 --
Rockin' and rollin' up the coast from Norfolk to New York, the USS Kearsage docked here yesterday for Fleet Week, carrying 1,300 sailors and Marines - and a Big Apple-based band that spends four months a year entertaining troops.
PHOTO GALLERY: Ships Enter New York For Fleet Week
http://www.nypost.com/seven/05222008/news/regionalnews/ships/photo01.htm
Led by frontman Ethan Isaac and drummer Todd Budich, the alt-rock band Edison has carved a niche by performing for US armed forces in some of the most dangerous spots in the world.
In Iraq's Camp Victory, they performed 100 yards from a captive audience, Saddam Hussein.
Lead singer Isaac gave a shout-out across the compound to the prison where Saddam was being held before the song "America Is A Bomb."
"You might not like this one," he warned the deposed dictator.
In Kabul, Afghanistan, the group was transported in a convoy of bullet-proof vehicles, and in Iraq helicoptered to gigs over rebel territory.
As the amphibious-assault vessel approached New York Harbor, Capt. James Gregorski saluted the band over the ship's loudspeaker - and in a private moment on the bridge thanked them for carrying out their most vital mission.
"They don't realize the service they provide," he said. "Troops go to a show and let go of things for a while then return to their duties refreshed and focused - and that's ultimately what saves lives."
As the ship sailed along, the band played driving originals and threw in covers of "Highway to Hell" and "Helter Skelter."
Seasoned rocker Isaac notes, "It's not like playing the club circuit. Here we are living what we are playing - we are in this crazy thing with our fans."
Upcoming assignments include the Marine Party at the Mean Fiddler in the West Village Saturday night and a Fourth of July concert for US forces in Heidelberg, Germany.
Ellie