The CardBoard
Rose Bowl Band Performance (I'm Just Sayin') - Printable Version

+- The CardBoard (https://thecardboard.org/board)
+-- Forum: C-House! (https://thecardboard.org/board/forum-4.html)
+--- Forum: The CardBoard (https://thecardboard.org/board/forum-5.html)
+--- Thread: Rose Bowl Band Performance (I'm Just Sayin') (/thread-4645.html)

Pages: 1 2

Rose Bowl Band Performance (I'm Just Sayin') - MustardtheBallCarrier - 01-02-2013

Long time lurker, first time poster here.  Very grateful to those who devote the time and energy to run this site and the posters who contribute to the thoughtful and informative discussion of Stanford sports.

I am an '04 graduate from a Stanford family, and grew up minutes from campus.  I have attended hundreds of football and basketball games.  I have always been a fierce defender of the Band and all that it stands for and have witnessed some of the more interesting (and controversial) performances.  I was not a member of the Band, and I know that I can't appreciate all that it takes to balance being in the Band with all of the other demands on a student's time.  I also recognize that many posters here were in the Band and will have much more valuable commentary than I can provide.

Having said all that, I am finding the Band less entertaining than ever.  The performance at the Rose Bowl was weak in my humble opinion both in terms of concept (I'd like to think we can do better than cheese puns) and execution (they simply didn't sound good at all).  Being loudly booed by the Wisconsin fans for a totally non-offensive performance might have been a low point.  Admittedly, I don't understand the acoustic limitations of the Rose Bowl, I was seated near the endzone (probably not the best spot to hear the Band) and perhaps others thought the concept was more clever than I did.  More than one game though, I have found the Band's performances all season long to be underwhelming. 

I will let others with more knowledge speak to the inherent limitations the Band has from a size and financial support standpoint.  From my own experience as a student, I recognize that there is a culture that very much embraces the idea of "this is not your grandfather's college marching band" and even celebrates limited practice and musical expertise.  Driving into the Rose Bowl yesterday, traffic was stopped to let the 8 buses carrying the Wisconsin marching band through.  I realize we are never going to have that kind of a band and I don't want that kind of a band (as an aside, I thought the Wisconsin band sounded great, but my god were they boring).  I would, however, like to hear more new songs.  I would like the Band to sound better.  I would like to see and hear more clever concepts.

This is just the uninformed opinion of a long-time Stanford fan and forever Stanford man.  I would welcome the thoughts of others as to the current state of the Band, particularly those who played in the Band and have more insight.

Please be gentle.  This is my first post.

Re: Rose Bowl Band Performance (I'm Just Sayin') - dabigv13 - 01-02-2013

For somebody who wasn't there, can you run down the pregame and halftime shows? Any standout songs? Link to a script?

I've always been a big band defender as well, but for as long as I can recall there have always been a lot of duds...the good stuff usually gets the band on probation anyway. Away stadiums are even trickier because it seems the PA systems are not properly rigged to hear the announcer.

Re: Rose Bowl Band Performance (I'm Just Sayin') - yvonne - 01-02-2013

Welcome, MtBC, and I love your handle! (fond memories)

We have several people here associated with the band, so they can answer in more detail, but I think that a big problem is the tight hand the athletic department has had on the LSJUMB. What used to be the band's hallmark, political and social commentary, is now off limits. I agree that the halftime show was banal.

As for the music, the band used to pride itself in being the World's Biggest Rock Band. Perhaps, that's no longer a value. It would be good if it were. [edit: Someone elsewhere pointed out that the Arthur P. Barnes rendition of the Star Spangled Banner went especially well yesterday, and I want to echo that.]

I noticed that the Band now includes trash (non-instruments used as percussion). When did that start?

Re: Rose Bowl Band Performance (I'm Just Sayin') - fullmetal - 01-02-2013

I didn't really pay attention as I was talking to a friend, but none of the Stanford band's songs stuck out to me or were recognized by me...then again, my pop culture knowledge is deficient.  The cheese puns halftime show did seem pretty weak--I could not tell what was going on due to the poor acoustics of the whole setup.  But to be fair, they kept it family friendly, which counts for a lot when you're at the Rose Bowl.  Do I wish they would have been clearly heard and funny?  Yeah.  But I didn't pay much attention to the Wisconsin band either, except to make fun of them for high-stepping like show horses (and losing some of their hat accessories).  Some of those goosestepping Badger bandies are going to have very little knee cartilage if they practice that stepping on surfaces harder than grass.

I missed the pregame show.

Re: Rose Bowl Band Performance (I'm Just Sayin') - Spiny_Norman - 01-02-2013

I could not hear the pre-game narration, but I have seen aerial photos where the Band spelled out HONEY, BADGER, GOPHER and NO FUR.  I also heard the word "sausage" at some point.  Insert your own commentary.

The halftime show seemed to be an attempt to make fun of the bad reception that their "Tribute to Oklahoma" received at last year's Fiesta Bowl.  It was a tribute to cheese that tried to be punny.  I may have missed the point, however.  Like most everyone in the Stanford section, I was not paying much attention.

Yvonne, the tradition of playing non-instruments goes way back.  When I was a student, I recall someone playing an ironing board. 

Re: Rose Bowl Band Performance (I'm Just Sayin') - TreeFitty - 01-02-2013

I played in the Band yesterday. Marched in the Rose Parade, played at the tailgate, and played the game.

The Rose Parade officials I talked to yesterday all told us we did great and that they appreciated what we brought to the parade. And they weren't just being nice guests, they told us they were worried we were going to be a pain.

At the Rose Bowl, after we finished the national anthem, the Tournament of Roses liaison to the Band came over to us and told us that our rendition (single trumpet, then the band) was one of the best in years.

At all the rallies, tailgates, etc I have played with the Band, our students, alumni, athletes, and people in the greater community show us lots of love and appreciation. They get us, they love us, and we love them.

But we're not for everyone, and that's fine. So we didn't make you laugh. Whatever, can't please them all. But try telling the hundreds of fans who stayed in the Rose Bowl long after the game to dance and celebrate with us that the Band's not entertaining.

Just my own personal view.

Re: Rose Bowl Band Performance (I'm Just Sayin') - Farm93 - 01-02-2013

Before I comment on LSJUMB, it has got to be said.
The Rose Bowl venue is a lot past its prime and the renovations are not addressing the biggest flaws.
Why is that important here?
  First, anyone below row 25 probably has no idea what words were on the field.  So a full third of the fans really have no idea what LSJUMB was spelling.  Count me in that group, sadly.
  Second, the audio equipment in the Rose Bowl is weak.  The sound system is just not up to current standards and the acoustics of the place don't help at all.  So it was actually rather hard to understand the verbal stuff.

However, the basic theme of the halftime was to use various cheese types in sentences.  The whole show was bland and PC. It was as forgettable as pre-sliced "American".  Remarkably, the Wisconsin fans still found reasons to boo and complain as if they were in some way personally injured by the "cheesy" show. 

Think that paragraph was pathetic?  Imagine that for 10 minutes.

However, I have to say... I busted my kids out to Colorado Blvd to watch the parade.  The parade is definitely better on TV, but I wanted my kids to see the LSJUMB band and thank you Coach Shaw for get Stanford to the Rose Bowl when my kids are old enough to get the parade but not too old for me not to be able to shove them in a car at 4:30AM.

Most of the bands walked right on by with drums keeping the beat and few other musicians playing instruments.  It seemed as if most bands were playing instruments perhaps 30% of the time, at best.  Many clearly were pacing themselves for the 5+ mile march knowing that it would be hard to maintain marching form and/or their costumes for the 2 hour trek. 

LSJUMB came along blasting away.  I could hear them a few blocks away, and could hear them after they passed until the next band came along.  They were the only group I could hear play for more than 90 seconds, and I suspect they were the only band that played for more than 90 consecutive seconds after making the turn onto Colorado.

We sat next to a couple from Wisconsin.  After LSJUMB cruised by she said to her spouse, "THAT WAS HILARIOUS!"  I was never more proud.  A few minutes later with UWisc band came along, and she was excited but I could tell she wanted them to be better.

It was a great morning.  So while I know the halftime shows have more bland than "Mild Cheddar", I know that even a bland LSJUMB adds character to our "Cottage".

:D

Re: Rose Bowl Band Performance (I'm Just Sayin') - MustardtheBallCarrier - 01-02-2013

TreeFitty,

Thanks for your thoughts.  I very much appreciate the tone of your response.  I'm not sure I would be so civil if someone with no expertise critiqued something I put so much time and effort into.  Admittedly, I did not catch any of the Band's performances other than halftime and the national anthem.  To give credit where credit is due, I agree that the national anthem was played beautifully and coupled with the B-2 flyover was awesome.  One of the highlights of the experience for me.  I would also like to thank you for playing in the Band, which is a commitment to the Stanford community far greater than what I provide.

I think what makes me feel so frustrated about the Band and feel compelled to write the initial post, is that I love the Band for exactly the reasons noted above -- the irreverance, quirkiness and almost counter-culture nature of it all.  I like to think of myself as someone who "gets" the Band.  I totally appreciate the love affair between the school, alumni and the Band.  I was there on many a Band run.  I've lingered after scores of games to hear the Band play.  I've bragged to my non-Stanford friends about how cool our Band is. 

I was just wondering if others felt the same way and what might be the cause.

Thanks all for your feedback.

Re: Rose Bowl Band Performance (I'm Just Sayin') - Nan3cy - 01-02-2013

Did the Cheeseheads refrain from singing over the band's rendition of the national anthem this time? I remember them being really disrespectful in 2000.

Stanford's version of the anthem has always been my favorite, except a couple of times where the solo horn was not up to the task. Then it was painful.



Re: Rose Bowl Band Performance (I'm Just Sayin') - Spiny_Norman - 01-02-2013

Speaking of the National Anthem (which was fantastic) and the B-2 flyover, here is an aerial photo which beautifully shows the full stadium, the Band in U-S-A formation and the B-2.  It's a great pic.

http://www.markholtzman.com/Sports/Football/2013-Rose-Bowl-Game/27359868_SKwXHB#!i=2300067414&k=d6HMxJz&lb=1&s=L

Re: Rose Bowl Band Performance (I'm Just Sayin') - jacketree - 01-02-2013

Well, whatever they were doing didn't translate to the 42" Plasma very well, although people watching at home aren't the target audience. It is nice that the Rose Bowl still shows the bands for more than 15 seconds.  Had no idea what they were doing. I think it was "Homage to Fromage".  Kinda predictably cheesy/cornball.  I'm sure the Wisconsin fans booed. Somebody was booing; that mostly what we could hear over the tube as they did show both bands at halftime. Stanford played something I really couldn't decipher (are there any songs about cheese?) and formed "Funny" as seen from the blimp. Sounded pretty awful to be truthful. They really zoomed in on some guy wearing a backpack and playing absolutely nothing while in the 'formation'. Which probably beats the alternative <rimshot>  I guess playing a kitchen sink is sorta funny; but a random dude just marching around in a backpack?  Okey dokey....  Irony really doesn't translate to halftime shows at the Rose Bowl. 

Wisconsin was loud and covered the whole field from the blimp shot, but as someone who used to march, high-stepping while playing ruins any hope of musicality. For that, you need to glide step.  They were doing some sort of early 60s (?) tune where they snapped and sang. I was busy looking for a bottle opener, so whatever.

Kudos to the trumpet player for muscling through that difficult national anthem solo in front of millions of viewers without gagging.  As someone who choked reveille and taps in front of 60 kids during 5th grade outdoor ed, my hat is off. The rest of the band didn't sound so hot, but I think a lot of that has to due with the mikes on the field camera and being so close to individual players. The trombonist they were in front of is....well, not destined for a professional career playing a trombone.

Chris Fowler, Lou Holtz, and Desmond Howard said they "were apparently off double secret probation and seem to be behaving." Herbstreit and Musburger said the anthem was nice and just pointed out how different the respective bands are.

I'm sure they were pretty fresh......in 1972.  Maybe it is time for another makeover.  Couldn't get any worse.  <sure. rimshot.>




Re: Rose Bowl Band Performance (I'm Just Sayin') - washingtonismoney - 01-02-2013

The halftime routine was not in itself funny, but has become a hilarious meta-joke at this point. To troll up boos for a nondescriptively inoffensive performance -- I mean, this is the institution that gave us, "These Irish, Why Must They Fight?" -- and have everyone still expending a large amount of mental energy over them, well, that's something.

Anyway, I'd like to see better music, and that's not exactly incompatible with a prankster/rocker spirit.

Re: Rose Bowl Band Performance (I'm Just Sayin') - fullmetal - 01-02-2013

TreeFitty - I love the band, and I want to think that the Rose Bowl circumstances required a somewhat restricted show (is that true?).  The national anthem was great, though some friends of friends from Wisconsin were pooh-poohing it on Facebook--bluster and bravado, that internet crowd.  It just sucked that the Rose Bowl is a terrible place to try to hear announcers or speakers (at least, the northeast endzone is terrible).

Do you have a linkable script?  I'd be interested in reading it.

Re: Rose Bowl Band Performance (I'm Just Sayin') - Hey - 01-02-2013

I've been following the band since I was in diapers.  I even got to perform with them during the "Spotted Owl" game up in Oregon.  For me, their music and energy routinely make for the best concert in the world.  I second Farm93's post, whether it's at the Rose Bowl Parade or New Year's in Chinatown, these guys overflow with contagious enthusiasm.

My only caveat is that I think the narrations they do are rarely funny, but it doesn't detract from the great music.  My guess is that other teams boo so much because a marching band is something sacred, and seeing the band scramble around is considered disgraceful.

Another disclaimer for the band is that if you're on the side facing away from them during the Anthem, you're not going to hear it.  And in the Rose Bowl it's hard to hear anything.

Re: Rose Bowl Band Performance (I'm Just Sayin') - dabigv13 - 01-02-2013

The trumpet seemed to miss a couple notes on the anthem, at least as it was translated to the TV broadcast. How'd it sound in person (still my favorite arrangment of the anthem....just class).

Disagree on one thing Big Brother - jacketree - 01-02-2013

Nobody boos because they think a traditional marching band is sacred. They are booing, pretty reflexively, because they know (or at least think they know) Stanford is making fun of them.  Booing is a simple way to respond with: "Screw you Stanford."  I also find it funny how defensive band defenders can get when anyone boos or calls them out on anything. What do you expect?

Some neutral Midshipmen watched the Rose Bowl with us. One is from Louisiana/Texas; one from Virginia; another from Delaware.  None had ever seen LSJUMB.  "Wow. That's weird."  Probably what they are going for?

Re: Rose Bowl Band Performance (I'm Just Sayin') - stanforddad - 01-02-2013

We talked with several WI fans on the train home. Everyone of them said the band was weird, strange or unique. One mentioned the sound system was still as bad as last year. And one elderly couple very much liked the National Anthem.

One gentleman was a coach from Texas, stated Stanford was not only as good a team as Wisconson has played all year, but as good a team as he has seen all year. He thought the third quarter was the best defensive football he had witnessed.

Re: Rose Bowl Band Performance (I'm Just Sayin') - yvonne - 01-02-2013

The trumpeter did not miss any notes. In fact, it was clearer than it is in Stanford Stadium.

Re: Rose Bowl Band Performance (I'm Just Sayin') - Renaissance Man - 01-02-2013

I enjoyed the band at the game yesterday, but I do miss the edginess that has been legislated out of the shows. I love parody and satire (Swift would not be allowed to write a Stanford halftime show these days), and I have always thought that the most criticized shows were hilarious. I have watched at least two visiting bands present a "Tribute to Lady Gaga" over the past two seasons--talk about offensive!  The best laugh I got from yesterday's shows was when Wisconsin's PA announcer solemnly stated that the Badger band would be performing the "original" arrangement of a familiar classical composition (the title is escaping me right now). I was curious how many of the 93,000 in attendance could make the distinction--I would guess that all of them had a large, bushy red and white feather sticking straight up on the front if their hat.

Re: Rose Bowl Band Performance (I'm Just Sayin') - estephan500 - 01-02-2013


You know, watching it on TV, for a second I thought that the trumpeter had missed notes, but then I realized that he was playing it a way that is a slight bit different from the last time I saw it live long ago.  Namely, I think he "stops" just a few specific notes in the melody rather than letting them trail off.  I realized later it's just a different style of playing it, but since I hadn't heard it before, I assumed it was a hiccup.

And yep, that is about as hardcore pressure as you can get on a performer, and even if he did hiccup a bit, he gets a pass from me. I recall reading about how the bugler at JFK's funeral did a stutter in his taps.