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Band of Airmen rocks with 'Sonic' sound

  • Published
  • By Samuel King Jr.
  • Team Eglin Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  With aircraft take-off and landings, large-scale bomb ranges the Army and an explosives school outside its gates, loud booms and screeches are commonplace at Eglin. But the loud, rhythmic sounds emanating from Bldg. 670 twice a week are distinctly different and tend to rock.

The sounds are from Sonic Cell, a band created by three members of the 96th Civil Engineer Squadron's readiness and emergency management flight. The four-person band of Staff Sgt. Jacob John, vocals and guitar, Staff Sgt. Ken Buchanan, guitar, Senior Airman Shane Goss, bass guitar, and Senior Airman Brittany Caruso, drums, holds weekly jam sessions to practice their original songs and prepare for their next gig.

The year-old band began out of the confusion created when the three guitarists each played their favorite genre of music - all at the same time.

"It was just noise," Goss remarked.

The collision of their free-for-all jam session created a "big bang" and a new rock band formed.

"After that first practice, it became serious," said John, a 27-year-old Louisiana native. "We looked around and said 'you know we might actually be good. Maybe we should write some songs.'"

In the beginning, everyone was involved with the creative process, from writing lyrics and finding the sound that worked best. John would write up a vocal and guitar part and the band would work it through in practice sessions. The band describes their style and sound as "alternative rock with a bit of the blues. "

During their initial practice sessions, the band used a drum application from an Iphone to fill in percussion before Goss picked up the sticks.

Although an adequate percussionist, Goss's strengths were with strings, so the band wasn't quite complete until April when they saw a drummer wearing Air Force pt gear on YouTube.

"I just moved to Eglin from Alaska and was hoping to find a new band to play with, so I posted an ad on Craig's list with a video," said the 22-year-old Caruso, a customer service representative with the 96th Logistics Readiness Squadron and California native.

Sonic Cell discovered her online, but in reality, she only worked across the street from them. With a battle of the bands in Alabama approaching fast, they wasted no time bringing Caruso on and quickly inundating her with their songs and style.

Less than a week later, Caruso took the stage with Sonic Cell and battled the bands in their first performance together.

"The nerves and stress go away after the first two songs," said Goss, who spikes his hair into a Mohawk before he takes the stage. "You're left with just the rush and adrenaline and it continues throughout the show."

The stress-filled journey of a week of continuous practices combined with their first concert together created a strong bond between the band members that continues still, according to John.

Now, Sonic Cell has 22 original songs, a six-song demo, website, fan page and is coming off their largest performance at Destin's Crab Island in June. The band plans to record a full album before the end of the year.

The band is ready for the next level, but with a strict band rule of no cover songs, Sonic Cell struggles to find gigs on the local scene that allow them to play only their original music. Even though it'd mean higher profile performances and visibility, the band stands by its principles.

"We don't want to profit off of the creativity and work of others," said Buchanan, 29. "Playing our own original music is way more important to us than making money. Many times the clubs are hesitant, but once they've heard us that attitude changes and we get invited back."

Another obstacle the members of Sonic Cell faced was finding a name - a process much more difficult than they expected.

"That was the hardest part - to find one that wasn't taken," said Buchanan, who met John while in tech school before they were assigned to Eglin. "Every time we thought we had a good name picked out, it was taken."

Although they don't want to be labeled "the Air Force band," Air Force core values are a part of Sonic Cell.

"We are a very professional band," said John, in full support of his band's rock group contradiction. "That's something that transfers over from the Air Force. We're always on time, courteous and ready to go."

The power and charge from performing music for a crowd of fans is what drives the band to continue. The feeling of being on stage playing music affects each member deeply.

Goss claims to be addicted to performing and would play four to five shows a week if possible. Caruso said she is her most natural self behind her kit performing. Buchanan said he feeds off the audience's reaction to their performance. John said his rush comes from knowing what Sonic Cell created really affects people.

"Everyone has a song they listen to when they're angry, upset or going through a trying time," he said. "To know that people listen to our stuff and it helps them get through things - that's a great and powerful feeling."

To be an Airman and a band member means the eventuality of leaving. The band already faces an upcoming hiatus due to three of the members deploying. John said Sonic Cell is focused on the now, being a quality band with good songs and powerful performances.

So for a while longer, Sonic Cell's "alternative rock with a side of (Air Force) blues" will continue to be a part of the sounds of Eglin.

Sonic Cell performs Aug. 27 at 9 p.m. at "The Tank" in Valparaiso, Fla.