West Milford When the Marines asked the band “One Bad Otter” to play during Fleet Week in Times Square for the Marines coming back home after fighting in the Middle East, the West Milford rock group could hardly believe their luck. Together since 1996, the band has been playing for crowds in the Tri-State area for years, but never for a party this big. Each year since 1984, New York City hosts a celebration for returning servicemen and women from overseas assignments. Fleet Week activities include parades, demonstrations, tours and huge parties in Times Square and Central Park. One Bad Otter bass player, Rob Duffy said, “When Marine Staff Sergeant Suki Forbes called and asked us to play for free, we said absolutely. We couldn’t think of a better way to say thank you to our troops for putting their life on the line than playing for them. We want to give them the biggest party New York City has ever seen.” One Bad Otter will play 12 original songs for Marine Days in Times Square on Saturday, May 24, from 11 p.m. to midnight. Band members including drummer Jim Rilko, bass player Rob Duffy, singer and guitarist Joe Gumienny, and lead singer Tim Zusin have been recording original material since 2004, and selling enough CD’s to pay for an upcoming album, which they are recording locally. The band has worked hard to get exposure on the Internet and independent radio. Said Duffy, “We’ve had a lot of success on XM Radio, and in Britain. We’re right on the cusp of really becoming known out there, and we think Fleet Week is going to be great exposure. We’re going to give away a lot of CD’s and promotional material to the troops. We want to give them all the free stuff we can to say thank you.” When Staff Sergeant Forbes heard about One Bad Otter from a New York City aficionado of local bands, she went to their Web site (www.onebadotter.com) and listened to their music. “I thought they were a great example of the local bands New York City had to offer. We want to give the Marines a taste of great local music and flavor, to give them a part of what’s great about New York.” According to Forbes, Marine Day in Times Square is a great way for soldiers to relax and enjoy themselves after long deployments overseas as well as an opportunity to showcase Marine hardware, like new tanks and rocket systems. “We want our Marines coming stateside to enjoy themselves while we build awareness in New York City of what the Marines are all about. It’s a great way to give the Marines exposure to New York City, and to show New Yorkers what the Marines can do.”