224th Sustainment Brigade
02.28.2011 Story by Spc. Glen Baker CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE ADDER, Iraq –— The rock group Smash Mouth performed for more than 300 service members and civilians at Memorial Hall, Feb. 13, at Contingency Operating Base Adder, Iraq.
Steve Harwell, lead singer of the rock group Smash Mouth, and a Santa Clara, Calif., native, entertains more than 300 service members and civilians at a concert in Memorial Hall, Feb.13, at Contingency Operating Base Adder, Iraq. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Glen Baker)
Capt. Ajyman Johnson, safety officer with the 224th Sustainment Brigade, 103rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), and a Sacramento, Calif., native, explained how the concert benefitted the soldiers.
“I believe that it [the concert] boosted morale,” Johnson said. ”It gave [soldiers] a chance to unwind after working hard all week. I believe that a lot of them looked forward to it. Smash Mouth was around when I was younger. I really enjoyed it.”
Smash Mouth was formed in San Jose, Calif., in 1994. Band members include Steve Harwell, lead vocals, and a Santa Clara, Calif., native; Sean Hurwitz, lead guitar, and a Los Angeles native; Michael Klooster, keyboards, and a San Jose, Calif., native; Paul De Lisle, bass guitar, and a Los Angeles native; and Randy Cooke, drums, and a Seattle native. Major hits include “Walkin’ on the Sun,” “All Star,” “Then the Morning Comes,” and “I’m a Believer.”
Steve Harwell, lead singer of the rock group Smash Mouth, and a Santa Clara, Calif., native, and Sean Hurwitz, lead guitarist, and a Los Angeles native, entertain more than 300 service members and civilians at a concert in Memorial Hall, Feb.13, at Contingency Operating Base Adder, Iraq. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Glen Baker)
Capt. Steven Maughan, supply officer with the 1st Combined Arms Battalion, 163rd Infantry Regiment, 224th Sus. Bde., and a Lincoln, Mont., native, said that his favorite song was “All Star,” the last song Smash Mouth performed. Michael Klooster, keyboardist of the rock group Smash Mouth, and a San Jose, Calif., native, leaps in the air during a concert in front of more than 300 service members and civilians in Memorial Hall, Feb.13, at Contingency Operating Base Adder, Iraq. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Glen Baker)
“It was awesome,” Maughan said about the concert. “Smash Mouth and me go way back – ’97, ’98. I thought it was great to have the guys come out here and boost the morale of our soldiers. It gave them a chance to relax, let their hair down and just have a good time.”
Spc. Denise Bennett, a heating, ventilation and air conditioning specialist with the 632nd Maintenance Company, 749th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 224th Sus. Bde., and a Montreal, Canada, native, had a special experience at the concert. “When the lead singer took my video camera around, it was totally cool,” Bennett said. “I was so honored that he did that, and I can’t wait to see the footage later. I got two guitar picks.”
Steve Harwell, lead singer of the rock group Smash Mouth, and a Santa Clara, Calif., native, takes a photo using a service member’s camera from the stage while the audience cheered, during a performance in Memorial Hall, Feb. 13, at Contingency Operating Base Adder, Iraq. (U.S. Army photo by Steve Harwell)
I really appreciate the band coming out. It raises people’s morale and it gives a change of pace out here.”
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