Slant tours with Armed Forces Entertainment for the first time
March 7, 2007 download story

Alternative rock band to perform for troops in Europe

L.A.-based rock band, Slant, will tour Europe with Armed Forces Entertainment March 14–26. They kick-off their first series of performances with Armed Forces Entertainment by playing for the troops stationed in Germany, Belgium and the United Kingdom.  

“We know first-hand about serving your country as our bassist Ilya served in the U.S. Marines from 1998-2002,”said guitarist Munir Haque. “We have many close friends that have served in the military and we have tremendous respect for the troops, especially those overseas and we can’t wait to rock out for them."

This band has appeared on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and has been featured on MTV and MTV Desi, an MTV spin-off network targeted toward South Asian Americans.  In addition, Slant has received airplay on national, Internet, and satellite radio and has appeared in various music magazines such as Music Connection.

The internationally diverse group was formed five years ago by vocalist and guitarist Fahim Zahman and guitarist Munir Haque. These two friends, both from Bengali homes, started playing music and writing songs together. They were soon joined by Andrew Karpman, a drummer who shared their music style and interests. Karpman and his brother Ilya came to the U.S. from Russia in 1996. In 2002, after completing four years of service in the U.S. Marine Corps, Ilya turned in his M-16 for a bass guitar and became the final member of Slant.

The band may have an unusual mix of international influence but their sound is all American. Musically inspired by Nirvana, Tool, Jimi Hendrix and Guns and Roses, Slant creates a sound that can be described as melodic, yet edgy.

“The dedication and enthusiasm that Slant has for performing for the troops guarantees a great show,” said U.S. Marine Corp Capt. Jesse Davidson, Armed Forces Entertainment circuit manager for Europe. “Slant is known for really getting the crowd going, I know their music will have the troops pumped up.”

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Armed Forces Entertainment is the lead Department of Defense agency for providing entertainment to U.S. military personnel serving overseas, with priority given to those in contingency operations and at remote and isolated locations. The Department of the Air Force is the executive agent of Armed Forces Entertainment.

Founded in 1951, Armed Forces Entertainment brings a touch of home to more than 500,000 troops annually, embracing the best of Americana that stretches across all genres of entertainment. Visit www.armedforcesentertainment.com for more information.

To learn more about about Slant, visit www.slantmusic.net.

Slant's tour schedule: