ST. GEORGE — Chris Kael and Modern Warriors stepped up for veterans on Saturday.

Kael, bass guitar player for the (in some circles) legendary heavy metal rock band Five Finger Death Punch, was on-site at Modern Warriors to help the St. George business celebrate its 10th anniversary while raising awareness for veterans issues.

Kael told St. George News that his friendship with Modern Warriors owners Todd and Sheree Vowell goes back years and started when the Vowell’s attended some shows in Las Vegas, Nevada, the band’s hometown.

“Kind of developed a friendship with them there, then over the years, with Five Finger Death Punch, we do a lot of work with veterans charities, raising money for fallen officers, all kinds of stuff,” Kael said.

“They knew of our work from that and kind of just paired with me and wanted a brand representative that stood for what they stood for,” he added.

Kael is impossible to miss with his multiple-braided long beard, which he swings maniacally to and fro during performances.

Five Finger Death Punch is one of the longest performing acts currently working in heavy metal music.

Named after a move featured in early martial arts movies, the band started in the early 2000’s and built up a huge cult following over the years despite having to replace most of its original members.

“Obviously we’re a hard rock heavy metal band,” Kael said. “It’s wonderful to be able to use the platform that we have to raise money and awareness for the issues and people that are near and dear to our own hearts.”

To those who listen to their songs or watch any of their videos, it’s clear that some of those issues include supporting first responders, fire fighters, police officers and the military.

“We’ve got a long history of putting out the issues that we are passionate about and our fans are incredibly supportive,” Kael said. “We are kind of able to use that platform to lift other people up.”

Being a rock star doesn’t even compare to what some of these veterans, military and police go through every single day, he said.

“Our job is easy. My job essentially is going on stage, swinging my beard back and forth, mean-mugging, playing heavy metal,” Kael said, noting that the people they raise money for are the ones running into a fight when everyone else is running away.

“Any chance that we get to help those people out, we’re always about it,” he said.

Kael said that he’s one of those people who does a gratitude list every day, listing 10 things he’s grateful for, and those lists always include elements of just how lucky he is.

He attributes the loyalty of Five Finger Death Punch’s fanbase to several factors, including good song writing and emerging right around the time social media exploded.

“And just being who we are, being real, being genuine, that has connected with the fans,” Kael said.

St. George Police officer Omar Contreras, who was working security at the Modern Warriors event along with fellow officer Morgan Bennett, can relate to that sentiment.

“It was good meeting him,” Contreras said about Kael, adding that he’s definitely a fan of Five Finger Death Punch. Contreras got into listening to their music when he was deployed overseas in the military.

“You tend to relate more to their music,” Contreras said. “What they represent and what they sing about. You feel represented a little bit.”

“It’s more of a personal connection because all my friends would just be hanging out listening, all the good memories, and Five Finger would always be on in the background,” he added.

Contreras expressed gratitude that Kael is speaking up about veterans issues.

“I can’t speak for everyone’s experiences, but sometimes as veterans, we have our struggles that come across,” Contreras said. “Sometimes we try to be heard but it can be a little difficult for us.”

“So having someone that can represent us and has a bigger voice and can express those feelings we’re having,” he said, “it’s very encouraging and very helpful.”

One of Five Finger Death Punch’s most popular songs, “Wrong Side of Heaven,” describes a narrative about American soldiers who fought in desert wars only to come home and be forgotten by their own country.

Corporal William Wiggins of the United States Marine Corps understands that narrative “most definitely.”

He went on to say that in his experience, he has seen how hard it is for veterans to get the benefits that were promised to them and has himself been mired in the red tape that constricts the well-intentioned efforts of the Veterans Administration.

“Not to talk bad about the VA, but veterans have to go through a lot of red tape to get any kind of assistance,” Wiggins said. “That’s why we started the Utah Veterans Alliance.”

Utah Veterans Alliance was the chosen charity at the Modern Warriors event. The nonprofit organization collected proceeds from a raffle on Saturday.

The group helps veterans in the state of Utah with day-to-day needs like rent and food, car and home repairs.

“We’ve been able to help thousands of veterans,” Wiggins said. “We have bigger goals in mind. We’re working to build a hero’s house, which will not only help homeless vets but also active military veterans.”

Wiggins said that having Kael on their side is incredibly helpful.

“He’s an amazing guy. He’s got an amazing soul,” Wiggins said after meeting Kael for the first time on Saturday. “It’s a huge honor. It’s been an amazing ride and we can’t express enough gratitude for Todd (Vowell), Modern Warriors, Chris Kael and Five Finger Death Punch.”

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