CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE BASRA, Iraq - Los Texmaniacs performed for Soldiers at Contingency Operating Base Basra Aug. 5.
The band, which specializes in conjunto-style music, a mixture of blues and rock with Spanish and English influences, also played country, soul, funk, polka and rock 'n' roll during their hour-long set.
The band's two-week tour of Iraq began with a concert at COB Basra, but this was not the first Middle East tour for Los Texmaniacs.
"This is my fourth time in the Middle East, second time in Iraq," said drummer Lorenzo Martinez, who has been with the band for six years, "They fly me out when they need me."
"It was an honor and a pleasure to be here," said bajo sexton guitar player Max Baca, adding to get here Los Texmaniacs had to endure "a long C-130 ride from Kuwait." "It was about 130 degrees in there and we sweated, but we made it out fine," said Baca, the leader of Los Texmaniacs. "We're used to the heat in Texas, but it is hot over here," added David Farias, who plays the accordion, "but it's nice to be back."
"I jumped at the opportunity to come to this part of the world," said bassist Gabriel Zavala and newest member of the band, "because I wanted to do my best to entertain the troops out here who maybe haven't had entertainment in a while."
The concert gained more and more momentum throughout the night as Soldiers danced in the audience. "As soon as people started hearing music coming out of the speakers, people started coming out and checking out the show and by the end of the show, the energy was absolutely amazing," said Zavala. "They were freaking awesome! They played all the right songs," said Spc. Amelia Reyes, a Mission, Texas native and administrative specialist with 3rd Battalion, 154th Attack Reconnaissance Battalion.
"This is what I was put on this planet to do, you know, play music," said Zavela, "If I can share my talent with the troops that are out here, putting their lives in danger, well, this is the least I can do, to come out here and show my thanks to the troops."
