BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan – Nearly a thousand service members were treated to a healthy dose of hard rock, July 6, thanks to the Texas-based band Flyleaf. First up in their hour-long set was a new song titled “Justice and Mercy”.
“This first song was written with all of you in mind,” said vocalist Lacey Sturm as she greeted the crowd.
In the lyrics, the words “The living and dying, surviving, we’re trying to breathe in safety – come home safely” were written for Soldiers, said tour manager Kat Hartmann.
“The song is about respect for the troops,” Hartmann went on. “We respect everything they’ve done like putting their lives on the line, which is also in the lyrics to the song.”
Travelling light, Flyleaf performed their shows acoustically, which is something they’re not used to doing. In addition to a light equipment load, two members of the band couldn’t make the tour. Bass player Pat Seals and guitarist Sameer Bhattacharya stayed behind for personal reasons while lead singer Sturm’s husband Josh stepped in to play guitar for the duration of the tour. But in true wartime fashion, Flyleaf did the very best with what was available.
The Flyleaf show was full of special treats for the troops. According to Hartmann, the group played their new songs “Chasm” and “Circle” from their upcoming album “Memento Mori” for the first time live. The band also stuck around and signed autographs for anyone who wanted them, a process that took the rockers well past 2 a.m.
“This was our first tour for the troops,” said Sturm. “I hope we can come back and do it again.”
The band Flyleaf touched down at Forward Operating Base Ramrod July 5 to the delight of hundreds of Soldiers and civilians. The band held a meet and greet with the Soldiers and then went over to the Canadian Artillery side of the base and fired off several 155mm illumination rounds. They can shoot up to 40 kilometers away with pinpoint accuracy.
After that, they held a two-hour concert on our makeshift stage directly between the chapel and our Rocky-style gym. It was a great time and a much-needed morale booster for everyone here. Who would have thought in Southern Afghanistan that we would be listening to an internationally known “Christian†Rockband?
The band left early the next day, but they stayed after the concert to sign everything from scraps of paper to Soldiers shirts. I’m sure we’ll see some of the items being auctioned on E-bay.
I’d like to personally thank Flyleaf for coming out here. For two hours no one thought of fighting, or worried about their next patrol; they just stood their smiling and singing along with a band who wanted to show their appreciation for all the military does. Thanks Flyleaf!
Flyleaf performing in Afghanistan was the most amazing thing I could’ve ever asked for. I can’t thank you enough for the amazing show. I wish I could’ve stayed for the meet and greet and said those words to you but I was already late for work (although it was worth being late). Thank you again and looking forward to seeing you live in Orlando in September.
Comment by Lori — July 11, 2009 @ 11:00 pm
awesome I love Flyleaf
and US troops deserve our respect
Comment by jjoseph — July 12, 2009 @ 2:41 am
tht was proper awsome to see that video
Flyleaf rock!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Comment by spikedylacid — July 12, 2009 @ 11:32 am
It gave me chills to hear ” Justice” from the soldiers during the song.
Comment by Alan Brown — July 12, 2009 @ 12:59 pm
What a great thing they did!! Nice video!!
Can someone tell me when their new album will actually be released? Because first im hearing this august then im hearing sometime in october to Janaury 2010.
Comment by Flyleaf\Nirvana Freak!! — July 12, 2009 @ 3:14 pm
that is so Flyleaf of them. lol they are such an amazing band!
Comment by Melissa — July 12, 2009 @ 6:38 pm
Here is another site that basically has the same information, but with pictures! =))
http://northshorejournal.org/flyleaf-rocks-afghanistan
Comment by Laura — July 13, 2009 @ 1:58 am
http://www.dvidshub.net/index.php?script=video/video_show.php&id=63862
Whoop!! Video from the show.
Might I say Beautiful Bride sounds AWESOME acoustic. There aren’t any recorded new songs played though, other than BB.
Comment by Laura — July 13, 2009 @ 2:08 am
I liked the cassie and fully alive acoustic songs they did and Beautiful Bride does sound awesome i want the hear the whole song acoustic. I hope this album comes out next month i know its going to be better then the first one and thats hard to say because i love the first one so much.
Comment by Arthur — July 13, 2009 @ 10:18 am
thats so cool. the troops over there deserve that kind of stuff. i would do that if i were in a band. good for Flyleaf!
Comment by Lauren — July 13, 2009 @ 11:13 am
Kudos to Flyleaf for doing the tour, especially in an area that was a little rough these past few weeks! You could tell when Lacey sings justice & mercy that she really has a heart of thankfulness for those service men & women. It’s not just a song, it’s a genuine personal thank you from the band & it shows thru too!!
Comment by shirlee — July 13, 2009 @ 11:52 am
Just when i thought i couldn’t luv this band any more than i already do, they do something like this and make me luv them 99999999x more!!!! Okay…yeah basically i luv this band!
Comment by Jackie — July 13, 2009 @ 5:29 pm
Awesome i heard about that.And i saw a live video somewhere from it thats so awesome of them (they are always awesome) THEY ROCK THEY ARE THE BEST BAND EVER!!!!!!!!!!!! I Want the CD to come out already its seems like August/September is SOOOOO far away i saw this video on youtube earlier and now its on here LOL FLYLEAF ROCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They Are So Lucky they got to meet Flyleaf (well some of Flyleaf) I know Sameer stayed with his family cause esther died but i dont know why pat wasn’t there that would be the best day of my life if i got to meet flyleaf THEY ARE THE BEST EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Comment by flyleafffan01 — July 13, 2009 @ 7:52 pm
it’s so awesome that flyleaf is able to do stuff like this. :) I wonder if there are any videos of “circle” or “chasm”, i would love to see those. :)
Comment by lindy — July 14, 2009 @ 3:05 pm
Lindy, supposedly the band asked for Chasm not to be put on the internet.. I’m not sure about Circle though.
Comment by Laura — July 14, 2009 @ 8:25 pm
way cool!!
Comment by jem — July 18, 2009 @ 11:12 am
<3
Comment by rhia — July 19, 2009 @ 6:33 pm
wow thats so cool! i wish i could have been there….autograph signing and all that… :)
Comment by adrianne — July 20, 2009 @ 7:45 pm
i’m so sick infected with… where i live….. man i’m in love with flyleaf’s songs man. i dont know w\how my klife would be without you
Comment by James Skyhooker — July 21, 2009 @ 9:21 am
thats so nice of flyleaf to do that for are troops!!
Comment by travis — July 21, 2009 @ 1:58 pm
Can U come back 2 MN I Missed u with my own eyes so if u do on summer please because i luv u :) Sorry 4 not seeing u in concert I am always a huge fan of u
Comment by Mary Ayetey — January 22, 2010 @ 9:36 pm
I love you Flyleaf, u have a bug heart!!!!!! May God Bless you all,your the best band in the world :) keep on rockin guys :)
p.s whish i can go to ur concerts i really want to see you guys really bad, your my favorite band and i love how all your songs relate to God and how they have a meaning to all of them, your so awesome, love you :)
<3
Comment by Trea — May 16, 2010 @ 12:04 am