Comments on: PEPIDEMIOLOGY: BEST BANDS

By: phantomfan

phantomfan — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 23:30:26 +0000

An awful lot of this discussion circles around matters of individual taste. The bands discussed are generally those from larger BCS division universities, but the mention of the Green Brigade is notable, as they are similar in quality, musicianship and style to Jacksonville State University Marching Southerners (out of Alabama), who are closely linked to the Spirit of JSU drum and bugle corps. JSU marhes about 350 members (they march 30, that’s right, 30 Conn J22 concert tubas – no Sousaphones for that bunch, and the sound is incredible). Both the Green Brigade and JSU feature corps style bands (LSU also trends somewhat to the corps style). Corps style is the current state of the art, is much more challenging to perform, and much more modern. The larger BCS schools tend to feature traditional styles because their alumni would have a heart attack if they updated their uniforms, music and marching style to that of drum and bugle corps. That’s what’ behind the pageantry of your Notre Dame, Ohio State, Texas and USC programs. FAMU is a wholly different style (historically black college marching band) that is full of energy. They are without a doubt the very best in that style, and they have some of the finest musicians in the world, quite on a par with the Green Brigade and JSU. It really boils down to a question of taste, as no one in their right mind would pit any of the traditional style against a corps style in competition – the corps style would simply be too complex and precise in comparison. You also wouldn’t place FAMU on the field against the other two styles, as they are performing a high energy drill and dance that is without compare, but which by its nature is not conducive to a great deal of precision. There is a place for all of these various style of marching. The traditional style is a throwback to the pageantry that developed over the years that holds an honored place in the hearts of fans, and the historically black college marching bands bring an energetic style that is meant to entertain and generate excitement in the stands, where you usually find the crowds joining in the dance moves (as best they can). The corps style happens to be my personal favorite, but then that’s what I marched and have followed over the years more closely. That said, one of the strongest performances I ever saw was from a traditional Big-10 style marching band at the high school level. As I first stated, much of this is a matter of personal preference. By the way, if you’re interested in seeing what drum and bugle corps are capable of, just do a video search of DCI (Drum Corps International), or of some of the more prominent corps (Phantom Regiment, Cavaliers, Blue Devils, Vanguard, Madison Scouts, to name a few).

By: Phillip

Phillip — Wed, 05 Sep 2007 13:06:32 +0000

UCF’s band is amazing, in large part because of the overlap between the marching band and The Magic of Orlando drum and bugle corps.

By: Jeff

Jeff — Mon, 03 Sep 2007 04:44:26 +0000

where are the badgers. have ever seen there marching. why don’t you go to a badger game and stay for the fifth quarter and update your list.

By: Jordan

Jordan — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 13:24:41 +0000

WVU should be on there. fo sho

By: AgRyan04

AgRyan04 — Sun, 20 Aug 2006 17:43:04 +0000

“a$m only plays 4 songs.”

that’s not true

By: Audiofem

Audiofem — Sat, 19 Aug 2006 23:50:09 +0000

If we are discussing MARCHING bands, then the best would have to be Southern University and A&M College. Even Nightline recognized that in the fall of 2004. The band is manageable–meaning they MARCH into various formations. A lot of bands have too many band members to form much of anything. I still have yet to see a band MARCH to form the half-time score. After showing their MARCHing abilities in conjunction with the melodious sound; lastly, they provide a little dancing entertainment that is tasteful–not just a mass of gyrating idiots. Although their procession into the stadium is good, Jackson State’s “Sonic Boom of the South” is better. Check the internet—-the crowd always wants more–i.e. NCAA Basketball Championships this year. The size of a school and/or a conference does not mean they have the best of everything. I’m sure if you do a little research, you will soon agree. Have a great football season!

By: bitterhorn

bitterhorn — Sat, 19 Aug 2006 11:56:24 +0000

“�they�re using someone else�s prop. It lacks originality (even if it is radioactive from the Manhattan Project). “

Huh? What kind of rationale is that? We’re using Guttenberg’s Bible, too.

Anyway, the Rice Mob is the best band in the state. a$m only plays 4 songs.

By: Geaux Irish

Geaux Irish — Fri, 18 Aug 2006 20:50:02 +0000

Changing the subject just a bit from bands to fight songs, does anyone have the parody lyrics to Hail to the Victors?

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Fri, 18 Aug 2006 05:15:35 +0000

Orson,

(answering a question about 30 comments up…)

I was in the color guard… the hardest working band members!

Jennifer

By: Alces

Alces — Fri, 18 Aug 2006 02:08:22 +0000

Two thoughts:

I do have to respect the Southern Cal band for their memorable cameo in “Naked Gun” – whereupon they play “Louie Louie” and march over the dead body of Ricardo Montalban’s character, and another guy says “I know just how you feel – my father died the same way”

You have to respect ND’s band for being the oldest marching band in the union, as well as for being an almost pure marching band – no batons, no twirlers, no rifles, no cheerleader involvement. The only accessory they have is a group of enourmous, pissed-looking guys in skirts who beat up other people and are actually protected in doing so by an Indiana state law.

By: Nicole

Nicole — Thu, 17 Aug 2006 23:49:21 +0000

While I do enjoy the Golden Band from Tigerland, I can’t believe that LSU let’s them dictate the game.

And TigerNacho, there aren’t songs for every situation. There are 4 songs (with corresponding dances) that are played over and over and over and over and over again. And you don’t cheer or chant or do anything unless the band is leading it. 90 some thousand people in Death Valley and you wait for the band to kick up so you can yell Go Tigers!

By: S

Thu, 17 Aug 2006 20:58:23 +0000

best golden band from tigerland moment eva:: during halftime, trombone section beats down auburn kicker damon duval::

By: James

James — Thu, 17 Aug 2006 14:19:46 +0000

The Rice band is awesome. Probably not as well known as some, since their team sucks. But they are worth the price of admission. The only thing I remember about the Rice-Texas game I went to five or six years ago was the MOB and their halftime tribute to “The Integrity of the NCAA” in which a trumpet player wearing a large white t-shirt labeled NCAA went around picking his fellow band members pockets. The next time your school schedules them as their sacrificial lamb, it’ll be worth going.

By: gozer

gozer — Thu, 17 Aug 2006 14:02:54 +0000

Ah, yes, the Irish Guard. The only good thing about the BC game in ‘93 was when their fans rushed the field and one guy tried to run through the band(which was still in their corner of the end zone) and got picked up at about the goal line by a guard member and carried backwards through the band, then thrown over the wall back into the stands. Of course, then they let a girl in one year… she met the height requirement, but when I saw pictures, she was just too skinny- the guard should be intimidating.

By: Jonathan

Jonathan — Thu, 17 Aug 2006 14:01:58 +0000

So are male baton twirlers as flaming as a Flag Boy???