People often form an unlikely bond in extraordinary circumstances.
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It was no different for Ben Sticpewich and Angry Anderson.
The head of performing arts at Lyneham High School was ''in the right place at the right time'' when he met Australian rocker Anderson and was asked to play lead guitar for Anderson during an entertainment mission to Iraq in 2004 and 2005.
At the time Anderson couldn't get his band together, so consequently got another group of people together for the tour to the Middle East.
They played everywhere Australian troops were stationed and were some of the first civilians allowed into the Middle East specifically to entertain the troops.
Mr Sticpewich remembers the experience during the start of the war as being ''quite scary''.
But Anderson said the two formed a bond in ''extraordinary circumstances''.
On tour the pair realised they had more than music in common.
They both worked hard to make a difference in young people's lives.
The two were reunited yesterday in Canberra during Wild Things - a show devised by Mr Sticpewich and students, kindergarten to Year 12, of the inner north cluster of public schools.
Mr Sticpewich said, ''I'm trying to raise the profile of performing arts as much as I can.''
''I really love seeing young people with their self-expression and creativity letting rip - that freedom and lack of self-consciousness that young people have.''
''And that's the focus of the show.''
When the teacher set the show's ''wild things'' theme he realised he knew the ''original wild thing of music'' in Australia.
So he asked Anderson to be a part of the show.
Anderson made a special appearance last night and performed with the Canberra students.
Mr Sticpewich said Anderson was well known for working with young people at risk and improving their lives. Anderson, who described himself as ''damaged goods'', said, ''It has always amazed me that the results are so stunningly successfully when it comes to musical programs and disengaged youth.
''I'm involved with programs right around the country that try and engage young people in music for a handful of reasons ... Many of them go on to be more expressive through music and art.''
The rocker helped Canberra students explore and nurture their talents last night. The trip was one of many he has made to Canberra specifically to work with children.
''Kids just need to be shown that somebody gives a shit,'' Anderson said.