Kings of Leon From an Old Guy's Ears

My 15 year old daughter has to jumpt through several different hoops to have her music played in my car while I am driving. No rap, slow jams, rich kid punk and a whole 'nuther class of hot 100 music that involves a syncopated clap trap. The latest single by Kings of Leon comes on now and then and she sort of waits for my dire assessment. I like it Sex on Fire is the title as far as I know. The vocal is unique and I told her if he does not sound close to that live-they're done.

By chance I ran across a promo CD for the 2004 release that comes in a mostly white package and reminds me of a Queen LP cover. I have now played this several times and damned if I don't like it- alot. I hear the U2esque guitar notes and sustain but they hold their own on several songs. I really like the yoddling one. That took balls. I don't know if I would have heard this and expected them to pop out a hit of the magnitude that Sex is.

To be honest, before I Googled the band I thought they were a Hispanic band. Some of the tracks sound so much like a dead ringer for Mink (Willy) Deville that it took time to believe they weren't. At times they remind me of an indie EP I have somewhere by Todo or Nada T.O.N. who are that latino band. One bluesy intro had me ready for a Los Lobos song or more recently that other family band from Texas Los Lonely Boys. I read there was some Southern Rock comparison/influence but found none. I'm good with that too.

My daughter only knew the radio song and her 1st impression on the forced listeing session was that they have some really good intros. I have to agree. Sounds like these guys are here to stay.

Gunnery Sgt. Daniel (Dan) Griego

GySgt Griego started his Reconnaissance career in Okinawa Japan at Third Reconnaissance Battalion, where after completing a seven-week Reconnaissance Indoctrination Program earning him the 0321 secondary MOS. GySgt Griego made numerous deployments to the Philippines, Thailand, and Korea. After two years in Okinawa GySgt Griego was transferred to 1st Reconnaissance Battalion. Less than a year later was assigned to 1st Force Recon Company and then 2nd Force Recon Company. GySgt Griego deployed with the 4th MEB to Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm for eight months in 1990-1991. Upon return GySgt Griego was selected as a Direct Action Platoon member and was assigned to the East Coast Joint Task Force for eighteen months. He then deployed in 1993 with 26th MEU-SOC (Special Operations Capable) to the Adriatic Sea in support of operations in the former Republic of Yugoslavia. In November 1993 GySgt Griego returned to 1st Force Reconnaissance Company and in 1995 deployed to the Arabian Gulf with the 11th MEU-SOC. GySgt Griego received orders in 1996 to the Military Free-Fall School in Yuma Arizona to be an instructor.

In 1998 After two years and over twelve hundred jumps GySgt Griego returned to 1st Force Reconnaissance Company and deployed in 1999 with the 11th MEU-SOC. In 2002 he deployed again with the 13th MEU-SOC in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. In 2002 GySgt Griego received orders to 1st Reconnaissance Battalion and deployed to Operation Iraqi Freedom I as Operations Chief and OIF II as a Platoon Sergeant and took over as Platoon Commander.

Gunnery Sergeant Griego has graduated from the following schools: 3rd Recon Battalion Reconnaissance Indoctrination Program, Basic Forward Observer, 3rd Marine Division Continuous Wave Communications, 1st Special Forces Group PRE-SCUBA, Amphibious Reconnaissance Course, SERE, CRRC Coxswain, Maritime Navigator, U.S. Army Airborne School, U.S. Army Static Line Jumpmaster School, Five (5) Close Quarters Battle Courses, Explosive Entry, Explosive Entry Instructor, Site 39 Improvised Demolitions Course, Assault Climber, U.S. Army Military Free-Fall Parachutist course, U.S. Army Military Free Fall Jumpmaster course, U.S. Army Military Free Fall Instructor Course, U.S. Army MC-5 Jump Master Course, U.S. Army Instructor Trainer Course, Ram Air Parachute System course, U.S. Army Training Developer Course, U.S. Army Test Writer course, U.S. Navy Dive School, Combat Aidsman, LAR-V Transition, Combat Dive Supervisor Course, LAR-V Technician, NRA Tactical Handgun Instructor, EAG Tactical Instructor on the M-4 Carbine/MP-5 Sub Machinegun/.45 Caliber Handgun and the Tactical Shotgun.

His awards include: The Bronze Star with Combat “V”, Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Combat “V”, The Army Commendation Medal, Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal with Combat “V”, Combat Action Ribbon, Presidential Unit Citation, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation, Navy Unit Commendation with one bronze star, Coast Guard MUC with Operational “O”, Good Conduct Medal with one silver star, Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal, National Defense Service Medal with one bronze star, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, South West Asia Service Medal with three bronze stars, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with one Silver and three Bronze Stars, NATO Medal Yugoslavia, Kuwaiti Liberation Medal (Kuwait), Kuwaiti Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia) Iraqi Campaign and Afghanistan Campaign Medals.

Personal Security Details:
Assigned to the U.S. Ambassador to Indonesia, James Holbrook. (Five Marine detail) for one week while in negotiations with rebel leaders in Indonesia.

Assigned to a Navy three star Admiral and a Marine two star General for a month long deployment to Kenya and Tanzania Africa. Worked along with counter intelligence to avoid targeting. Duties involved route planning, counter reconnaissance, barrier plan, security checks, and nightly briefings for the Admiral and his staff. (Two Marine detail)

Here is an Owen West Story

What's up with all the digs on Dan lately?  I suspect it is related to a certain type of parachute recently tested  in the least popular state for immigrants but I may be wrong.