“Fight For Me” by Citizen Reign
February 26, 2007
I’d like to introduce everyone to a band that I ran across this weekend that has written and performed an incredible song in support of our troops. Some of you may be asking, what does a progressive Rock and Roll band do to support the troops. Once you listen to “Fight For Me” and watch the video that accompanies it, I think you’ll understand. Watching the video and listening to “Fight For Me” made me really stand up and take notice of this band and the message they’re sending out to our troops. Comprised of Allen Wright as the lead vocalist, Ryan Vergara on lead guitar, Sam Hickey on drums and Patrick Antal on bass, Citizen Reign is a band from Everett, Washington that has just released their first album, which is sure to be a success.
I contacted lead guitarist Ryan Vergara and asked their permission to feature their band and their song here at A Soldier’s Mind. I also asked Ryan what inspired them to write and perform “Fight For Me.” Here’s what Ryan had to say:
This song was inspired by every soldier who has ever been deployed into conflict, but more directly to those who have served, currently are and those not coming home from the middle-east.
We are not taking a political side with this song, but simply trying to remind people that our brothers, sisters, mothers and fathers continue to sacrifice their lives everyday, and to remind people that our Men and Women of the military have accomplished many great things during these conflicts. Our band members, like the rest of America, have a mixture of opinions on the war in Iraq, but one thing we can all agree on is that we want our troops to be successful and all come home safe to their families.
There is so much negative media surrounding the conflicts in the mid-east which made us stop and think how incredibly difficult it must be to keep your head high as a soldier in Iraq. Especially with the news consistently focusing on everything bad that happens. Not often do we get to hear about all the good things our troops have done while in Iraq and there are many. The news like any other TV broadcast is based on ratings and unfortunately in this world we live in today, bad news usually sells better than good news.
Our drummer was in the Marines and after I came up with the music, he took a rough recording home and wrote the lyrics. Him and I played it for the rest of the band and we all fell in love with it right away. It touched home for all of us as everyone in the band has friends and family in the military. After a few minor changes it became track number 7 on our album.
War is a brutal and gruesome reality and through all of the controversy and division in this country, we just want all the troops to know that they are and always will be American Heroes.
I find it incredible and very heartwarming, that these talented young men, understand and appreciate all to well, the sacrifices our soldiers continue to make for this Nation, despite all of the negative press that goes along with the war in Iraq. They’ve definitely gained a new fan and I’m hoping many more, by featuring them here at A Soldier’s Mind. Please visit their website to hear more of their music and to purchase their CD.
Citizen Reign
Comments
34 Responses to ““Fight For Me” by Citizen Reign”
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These guys are really great. I’m glad you came across them. I just “pre-ordered” there album. Hopefully I’ll get that soon.
I’ll be ordering one tomorrow myself. I think I’ve listened to the song and watched the video no less than 100 times. Powerful message!
Thank you…..That’s all I can say through my tears…Thank you…
Loved the song! You’re so right, we need to show the troops that we support them so they can hold their head high and GET THE JOB DONE!!!
Thank you, from a Proud Army Mom whose family sacrificed a year with a family member in Iraq. Thank you!!!
Thank YOU Donna for your soldier and his/her service and you raising such a fine and brave soldier. Thank YOU for your sacrifices as well. I know how hard it is. I too have a loved one, who’s in Iraq right now (Tour #3).
Thank you Anthony for your service and also thank you to Terri and Donna for YOUR service and the service of your loved ones.
this song and video was very powerful. The images will stay with me for a long time.
I also cannot get the line “I stand and give you my applause. . .” out of my head. So perfect!!
oh man, the perfectionist in me has to fix my grammar error “the song and video ARE very powerful” Sorry, I’m a dork! :o)
I just ordered my copy of their CD. These guys are just awesome! I’ve sent them the link to the post, so hopefully we’ll get the bandmembers over here to visit.
I watched the video this morning and cried. I am ordering the CD to send to my son in Iraq.
I was so impressed with this song and what Ryan had to say about their reasons for writing it. I bet I watched the video 30 times last night. It’s just one of those songs that you want to keep listening to.
[...] Please take a moment to read the words of this band at Terri’s site: A Soldier’s Mind [...]
Wow!
I’m linking to this post!
Great song!!! It really hits home when you have a soldier in the family who has spent a year in Iraq. Thanks for posting this on your site.
My pleasure kbug. Check back often, as we’re frequently highlighting musicians who have written and performed songs in support of our Heroes.
Hello Terri and hello to everyone else!
Thanks sooooo much for the kind words about our song! Its one thing to have someone like your music but when you write a song that touches someone emotionally it creates a feeling that I can’t describe.
Thank you very much Terri for sharing our tribute with everyone and may all of our loved ones come home safe!
Ryan
Ryan,
Thank you SO much for stopping by and visiting the blog. As you can see, your song is quite the hit with our readers and several other blogs have posted it and a link back to this story on their blog as well. THANK YOU and the band for this wonderful trubute to our Heroes!
Terri
Hey Ryan! Loved the song - posted it on the Tanker Bros blog :)
Awesome - can you please email me?
TankerBrosBrat@gmail.com
Thank YOU for your support of OUR troops..thank you!
Hey Terri, just wanted to let you know, we just got the first shipment of CD’s in today. Within the next few days I will have all the band members sign the cd’s and we will be shipping out copies to everyone who has ordered them.
Jon
Citizen Reign Mgr.
http://www.citizenreign.com
Excellent news Jon. I can’t wait to get mine.
It’s great to have you stop by Jon! Thanks for the update on the CD’s. Can’t wait to get mine.
One of the best songs I’ve heard in 4 deployments…. I will be sharing with all my fellow pilots. I would love to show this video before missions…
Thanks-Tom
Welcome to ASM Tom! It’s always great to have our Heroes stop by and visit. I know the guys from Citizen Reign will love knowing that their song is getting out to our troops! THANK YOU Tom for doing the job you do! Please stop by and visit again.
Hey everyone. CD’s were shipped yesterday via USPS. We also entered the video into a contest. If you enjoyed it, please take a minute to register and vote for the video at http://musicnation.com/vb19 The winner of this contract will receive a record deal with Epic and studio time. We appreciate all of your support.
Jon
Citizen Reign Mgr.
http://www.citizenreign.com
Thanks Jon! I’ll be sure to stop by and vote. You all definitely deserve to receive a record deal.
Excellent news. I’m on my way over to vote now.
WooooHoooo! I got my new autographed Citizen Reign CD today. Thanks Jon for adding a copy of the video. I’ll be sending it out to Marty in Iraq, so he can enjoy it as well!
I just got mine too!
Hey guys!
Fight for Me music video is in a contest and we are climbing to the top but we could use some extra votes!
http://www.musicnation.com/vb19
You can vote there or you can send a text message to (628466)and put Vb19 as your message.
Thanks for any and all help!
Ryan
Great seeing you on the blog Ryan. My votes in and I voted for you all! Good Luck!
[...] I’ll repost the video here again for everyone, as well as the link to the original article. Original Article. The story is a great read, as Ryan tells of the inspiration behind the song and video. Their music [...]
[...] Read More April 20th, 2007 at 2:48 pm [...]
[...] I: Via A Soldier’s Mind: “Fight for Me” by Citizen Reign I contacted lead guitarist Ryan Vergara and asked their permission to feature their band and their [...]
[...] I: Via A Soldier’s Mind: “Fight for Me” by Citizen Reign I contacted lead guitarist Ryan Vergara and asked their permission to feature their band and their [...]
Hey guys: Great song and video. I have to Marine sons and one of them had your song on his myspace so I listened, went to your website and then came to this. What a powerful way to get a point accross!! Tears were flowing thru the whole thing.
Proud Marine Mom, Robin Granger