The 6th Annual Rock & Rally for the Troops at Cheney Stadium

By Mike Baltierra on August 8, 2016@baltierraphoto

Rock & Rally for the Troops, held the first Saturday of August at Cheney Stadium in Tacoma, is a fundraising event that benefits Operation Ward 57. The organization “supports wounded, injured and ill service members, veterans, their caregivers and those that aid in their recovery by providing assistance and outreach in their recovery, comfort and morale, and through advocacy, education and promotion of their circumstances.” It was founded by wounded service members, current service members, veterans, and the Walter Reed Medical Center.

This year’s event consisted of a Motorcycle Run and an evening of live music, as well as a silent auction and local vendors.

Also featured was guest speaker US Army Veteran Adam Keys. Keys was medically retired after sustaining injuries while on active duty. Adam, along with his mother Julie, spoke of the circumstances surround his injuries and the treatment he received during five years recovering at Walter Reed Medical Center. These days Adam is a motivational speaker and remains active in participating in handicycle and fitness events.

The Master of Ceremonies for the event was Louie Galaraza, founder of Mental Itch Music Group and former owner of Louie G’s Pizza. A strong supporter of bands that make up the local music scene, it was only fitting that Louie serve as MC of the sixth annual Rock & Rally.

Clear the Chaos were the evening’s opening act. The band, which is based out of Puyallup, played a quick 30 minute set to set the tone for the evening. Seattle’s Rain Light Fade then performed a set of their self-proclaimed “cinematic, over-the-top dramatic un-metal.”

Next up were 3 Pill Morning, who hail from Minneapolis, MN. The band is touring in support of their latest album, Never Look Back. The band consists of Jeff Stebbins (vocals), Jon Stephenson (Guitar), Ryan Lee (Bass) and Tom Dupree III (touring – drums). Their set focused mainly on their latest release, but the band also played selections from Black Tie Love Affair and their debut EP, Take Control.

The headliners of the evening, Toronto’s Thousand Foot Krutch, are touring in support of their latest release, titled Exhale. The band consists of Trevor McNevan (vocals), Joel Bruyere (bass), Steve Augustine (drums) and Adam Welch (touring – guitar). The band’s set list concentrated on Exhale as well as its predecessor Oxygen, but also pleased fans with selections from throughout their catalogue. Thousand Foot Krutch put on a high energy show, leaving those in attendance at Rock & Rally asking for more.

TFK Setlist
Running With Giants
Light Up the Sky
Untraveled Road
Scream
Move
Courtesy Call
The River
Be Somebody
Like a Machine
Falls Apart
Born This Way
Fire It Up
War of Change
Let the Sparks Fly

Encore
Give It To Me
Push