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10/9/2008 - AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy -- The 2008 Battle of the Bands winner, Drivestone, will be holding a free concert on Oct. 10 from 6-8 p.m. at the base community center.

Drivestone, a rock-n-roll band composed of active duty military members and dependents, is playing at Aviano to audition for the 2008 Armed Forces Entertainment tour.

"Our goal is for all those who attend to have a great time and save money while still getting to do the normal things they would be doing on a Friday night," said Rick Lander, Drivestone's lead guitarist.

Drivestone is a four-person band composed of Christopher Stanley, on lead vocals and guitar; Rick Lander, on lead guitar and backup vocals; Jacob Messina on bass guitar and backup vocals, and Jason Soliz, on drums.

"We're most definitely rock-n-roll," said Lander. "We play just about everything from 60s to today's rock."

Space in the community center is limited to 100 seats and is on a first-come, first-served basis. The show should last about two hours and the band will be around afterward to sign autographs. Free food and drinks will also be provided.

The concert will be recorded and sent as the band's audition tape for the 2008 Armed Forces Entertainment tour later this year.

"This is a chance for people to come out and enjoy the music by Drivestone and cheer the band on," said Susan Lear, Aviano Community Center director.

The Battle of the Bands was hosted by the Aviano community in June. The annual competition is open to music acts from military installations in Italy. Bands from as far as Camp Darby competed in this year's contest. The idea behind a battle of the bands is to see which band is either the best or most well received band by the fans in the competition, said Ms. Lear.

For more information about the concert, call the community center at 632-5479. - Aviano Air Base Public Relations