Five Star Iris profile picture

Five Star Iris

LET IT ALL OUT IS AT RADIO NOW!

About Me

FIVE STAR IRIS - LIVE FROM GUANTANAMO BAY - NOW ON FUSE ON DEMAND
FIVE STAR IRIS - WORLD NEEDS NOW
Last year was an incredible one for Five Star Iris – some might even say life-changing. The band – Alan Schaefer, his twin brother Rob Schaefer, Alex Winfield, and Dan Fishman – started out 2007 on a high-note. Supporting their debut full-length album FIVE STAR IRIS produced by the Grammy-winning Sylvia Massy-Shivy and Rich Veltrop, the band traveled far and wide to take their “modern version of classic rock” to fans all over the world.
A definite high point was getting radio airplay in a major market, as Salt Lake City’s KENZ 101.9 embraced the Atlanta-based band as one of their own. Championed by program director and afternoon personality Parker, the songs “Let It All Out” and “Is There Something I Can Do” connected with listeners there – enough for the station to have the band come out and play. The band has already been back a second time to show their support for the fans there.
A performance at the South By Southwest Music Conference, however, led the band on a very different touring path. Performing at a showcase attended by Armed Forces Entertainment (AFE), they showed they had what it takes to perform for the best of the best – our servicemen and women. Three months later, Five Star Iris was performing in the middle of the summer in Iraq.
Dubbed the “Summer In The Sandbox” tour, this joint effort by AFE and Navy Entertainment took the band to Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, UAE, Bahrain, and Djibouti. Flying on military transport planes and sleeping in tents, it was truly the experience of a lifetime, and the impact it had on the band was immeasurable. On their return, to give something back, the band created a commemorative “Summer In The Sandbox” T-shirt with the proceeds going to the wonderful Fisher House charity. The shirt is available for sale on the band’s website along with a page dedicated to the Middle East tour.
The band’s military involvement didn’t end there. They were flown to Washington, D.C. to perform at the Pentagon for the U.S. Air Force’s 60th Anniversary celebration. And for New Year’s Eve they helped the sailors stationed at the U.S. Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba ring in 2008. An additional military performance is on the books for Australia in the spring.
Amazingly, Five Star Iris found the time to record and release another document of their musical talent. LIVE FOOLS was recorded live and “unplugged” at Wise Fool’s Pub in Chicago in April 2007. Drawing from both their first EP and the FIVE STAR IRIS album, LIVE FOOLS presents the band in one of their most natural settings – playing intimately for their fans. Included on LIVE FOOLS is the previously unreleased song “Hi-Fi Connection” as well as many other live favorites.
2008 promises to be another event-filled year for Five Star Iris both on the road and in the studio. The band is finding great opportunities that will help them spread their music and positive message to everyone. For Five Star Iris, it’s about sharing what you’ve got so that other people can share it too.

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 11/16/2004
Band Website: fivestariris.com
Band Members: Alan Schaefer - Lead Vocals, Guitar; Alex Winfield - Lead Guitar, Vocals; Rob Schaefer - Bass, Vocals; Dan Fishman - Drums, Vocals
Influences: U2, Foo Fighters, Train

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Sounds Like: U2, Foo Fighters, The Fray
Record Label: Hooptyville Records
Type of Label: None

My Blog

To Be Wronged Is Wonderful

I've never watched the news or paid more attention to matters of this country as much as I have lately. At first I wasn't sure what to make of it. It took me a minute to get over my initial sense of a...
Posted by Five Star Iris on Wed, 08 Oct 2008 07:25:00 PST

The Party Conventions

Now that I have watched both political conventions, I'm not sure if I'm any closer to a decision on who to vote for? I was really proud of myself for paying as much attention as I did to the conventio...
Posted by Five Star Iris on Thu, 11 Sep 2008 08:29:00 PST

Back To School

With it being back to school time, I've had the issue of education in this country on the brain. It's apathetically amazing how anyone and everyone in our great country recognizes many of the issues w...
Posted by Five Star Iris on Tue, 19 Aug 2008 09:42:00 PST

Star Spangled Banner

It is such an honor to be able to say that I am now part of a small group of people that have performed the Star Spangled Banner on National Television. Just two months ago I went to my first NASCAR r...
Posted by Five Star Iris on Thu, 31 Jul 2008 04:53:00 PST

Land of the Rising Sun

Now that my battle with jet lag is over I am ready to share my thoughts on our recent trip to Japan. I have to admit this was a rough week as my body didn't want to adjust. Sleep just wasn't in the ca...
Posted by Five Star Iris on Sun, 13 Jul 2008 02:31:00 PST

Another 4th of July

I just returned from the road and it's finally sinking in that I leave for Japan in the morning. It's after 9pm and I haven't eaten dinner yet or packed. That is standard fare for this way of life. Wi...
Posted by Five Star Iris on Tue, 01 Jul 2008 12:25:00 PST

Rude People

Sadly, I am reminded far too often as to just how inconsiderate people can be. Recently I had a run in with someone at my gym. I was standing in line waiting to give my card. Both people behind the de...
Posted by Five Star Iris on Mon, 16 Jun 2008 06:57:00 PST

Memorial Day

On the way to the pool yesterday I saw a Veteran riding around on his motorcycle proudly displaying several flags and it got me thinking about a great many things. Of course everyone looks forward to ...
Posted by Five Star Iris on Tue, 27 May 2008 06:14:00 PST

Humbled Once Again

I've experienced so many amazing things on this journey so far. This past weekend I experienced something truly remarkable. So remarkable that after playing 3 shows in one day and getting back to Atla...
Posted by Five Star Iris on Mon, 12 May 2008 05:34:00 PST

Bon Jovi Experience

There is something so pure about going to a big arena rock show. The energy is undeniable. This past week I went to see Bon Jovi at Phillips Arena in Atlanta. They were doing two sold out nights, whic...
Posted by Five Star Iris on Sat, 03 May 2008 07:28:00 PST