I have a number of problems with the band over the years. The band can be a great addition to "the show" on Saturday nights, but they are not the reason for "the show". They need to learn their place on game days.
Remember, you can't have a football game without the football team, but you can play the game without the band.
Suggestion #1;
The band needs a great nickname. The RMB just sucks!!!!!!!
How about: The Pride of the Glass City, The Lake Erie Thunder!!!!, The North Coast Thunder!!!!, (a lot of you guys are better a this than me).
Suggestion #2:
Better song selections.
"They call me the breeze" Leonard Skynard (the horns in that song.....WOW!!!!!)
"We got the beat" (yeah I know it's bubble gum....but it works).
"Keep on knockin' but you can't come in".
any classic rock or Motown (50's-60's) with a great beat will work.
Suggestion #3:
Pre and/or post game shows in Lot 10.
As critical as I am of the band... I would stay and listen to the post game show in Glass Bowl. I wish they hadn't stopped doing it.
(Get rid of that "Let us break bread" song.)
One last note, If the band were so good.....then why does the athletic department spend money on that terrible DJ and his crappy sound system and put them on the north end of the Glass Bowl.
I just wish my band was better.
I have never heard anyone associated with the Rocket Marching Band claim they were the reason for the show. Ever. Telling the members that they need to learn their place is pretty rude.
If the band looks and sounds good, they don't need a "great nickname" or any other gimmicks. (like dancing) I would rather have them blow people away with sound instead of marketing.
Now isn't the time (or the place) to start making requests either. The songs that the RMB plays are (or were) typically re-written and arranged by UT faculty or students, not bought like MP3s on the net. All the music selections are finished and being practiced already. I would think a kind letter to the band director expressing your ideas would be better.
I'm not sure what DJ you're referring to but if you're asking about the speaker system, I'd say amplification is one reason. Another would be having sound with the video on the video scoreboard.
The harshest criticism of the band always seems to come from those who have no idea how long and hard all the members work to be able to perform for them. Do you have any idea how difficult it is to play music well while marching and changing memorized formations? Do you know how many hours are sacrificed by members to practice in the hot sun during the summer? All this is after spending years learning their instruments and knowing how under-appreciated they generally are.
-Dan
In the interests of full disclosure, I am a Rocket Marching Band alumnus. (1990-1991)
Wow...being a member of the RMB I was taken aback and shocked by these comments you made, UTerry. But I'll do my best to answer your comments.
1) Why have a great nickname. A couple years ago, I saw "The Best Damn Band in the Land" and I came away unimpressed. While some my think we need a flashy nickname to get noticed, I'd rather just prove it with our musical talents.
2) While I agree we don't have much of a song selection, the halftime shows are already set. If you want to add some songs, email the director (address in another thread). If we can, we can add more songs to play in the stands. But don't be shocked if we don't play the same-old-same-old to start the year off.
3) The band still does a pregame show. It's in the alumni tent where we do upcoming shows and songs. You can go there to get food and music before the game. We also have a little group go around Lot 10 before the game. Our first stop is always the Jambulance, but after that we play for the most people or people who want to hear it.
Your guesses are as good as mine. Many of us are disappointed to be told we cannot play because of an upcoming announcement. Band camp for the new members start on Saturday. Monday night all the vets return, that's when we'll be learning new music and formations. We'll be practicing on the inside of the track field and the Glass Bowl. I'd rather see some support from fans than disappointing threads.
rocketman49 Wrote:Wow...being a member of the RMB I was taken aback and shocked by these comments you made, UTerry. But I'll do my best to answer your comments.
1) Why have a great nickname. A couple years ago, I saw "The Best Damn Band in the Land" and I came away unimpressed. While some my think we need a flashy nickname to get noticed, I'd rather just prove it with our musical talents.
THANK YOU! I've been saying that for years. They don't do anything that any other college marching band can't do, they have just been doing it longer and happen to be associated with the Ohio State machine.
I just don't think we have a large enough band to be as forceful as some other bands. The band has over a hundred members, but that includes the flag girls and baton twirlers. I think there are less than about 85 actual instrument playing members. OSU and UM sound so much "better" because they blast out the notes. Same with OU which still impressed me as the best band from the MAC to visit the Glass Bowl. They have 101 - and I have to believe that is from all the instrument playing members.
UTerry Wrote:I have a number of problems with the band over the years. The band can be a great addition to "the show" on Saturday nights, but they are not the reason for "the show". They need to learn their place on game days.
Remember, you can't have a football game without the football team, but you can play the game without the band.
Suggestion #1;
The band needs a great nickname. The RMB just sucks!!!!!!!
How about: The Pride of the Glass City, The Lake Erie Thunder!!!!, The North Coast Thunder!!!!, (a lot of you guys are better a this than me).
Suggestion #2:
Better song selections.
"They call me the breeze" Leonard Skynard (the horns in that song.....WOW!!!!!)
"We got the beat" (yeah I know it's bubble gum....but it works).
"Keep on knockin' but you can't come in".
any classic rock or Motown (50's-60's) with a great beat will work.
Suggestion #3:
Pre and/or post game shows in Lot 10.
As critical as I am of the band... I would stay and listen to the post game show in Glass Bowl. I wish they hadn't stopped doing it.
(Get rid of that "Let us break bread" song.)
One last note, If the band were so good.....then why does the athletic department spend money on that terrible DJ and his crappy sound system and put them on the north end of the Glass Bowl.
I just wish my band was better.
Interesting post and I feel compelled to respond.
I haven't seen the RMB in a number of years so I will just respond with general comments.
1) The band has "it's place": The best fans the football team has. Whether the football team is up or down, the band is there and involved in the game .... and I can guarantee you, the team knows it.
2) Nicknames are developed for bands by arrogant band directors. This may come as a shock to some people, but there are directors who will go to great lengths to prove their band is better.
3) Every winter, I throw some show ideas at the BGSUFMB director. She openly welcomes them. She has yet to take any of MY ideas, but there's always this coming year. Most band directors would be thrilled to have a fan eager to provide input into the band. It shows interest and that the band's efforts are recognized. I also send an email to Dr. Hayward with comments about the performance (good/bad but mostly good). I also thank her for her efforts and have her send my thanks to the rank and file members for their efforts. It's a major lift which doesn't go unnoticed by the ensemble's members.
4) Post game shows are awesome. I'm sad to hear the RMB has turned away from them. It used to be tradition at all MAC schools IIRC.
Finally, yes, one can play the game with out the band. There would be a significant piece missing from the pageantry which is college football.
Cheers,
Mark
BGSUFMB member '88-'92.
Terry-
Not sure how long you've been around but the RMB is light years better than they used to be. Both the pep band in hoops (by far the most enthusiastic band in Cleveland at the MAC's) and the marchng band add significantly to the game experience. It also is the sole reason that my wife ever deigns to visit the GB, although I'm working on that. UT doesn't have a school of music but is certainly competitive with most MAC bands including those from schools that do have music schools.
Finally, I think, and RUIT can help me here, that its against the law to play any song but the five approved marching band songs that every band in the country plays at every show (and every show must include Gary Glitter) and any thing else by Tommy James and the Shondells. No song written since 1982 is permitted. Don't know why that's a law but I'm pretty sure it is. Last year BG broke it by playing stuff by BonJovi and it was a disaster. So don't blame the Rocket Band for following Band Law.
H2Oville Rocket Wrote:UT doesn't have a school of music but...
Whatever you do, don't tell that to the students at UT who are majoring in Music in the UT Music Department. (
http://www.utoledo.edu/as/music/index.html)
-Dan
Speaking of the band:
We should all make sure we attend the Rocket Marching Band Kick-off Concert in Centennial Mall, Sunday, August 19 at 8:00pm.
As fans, we all need to be there.
-Dan
Law? No. It's more a guideline. Similar in guidelines to not wearing white after Labor Day. There are violations to the former guideline which experience varying degrees of success.
rocketman49 Wrote:Our first stop is always the Jambulance, but after that we play for the most people or people who want to hear it.
... and we wholeheartedly appreciate the pre-game visit by the band to the Jambulance!!! Gets everyone fired up!!!
I have no problem with the Rocket Marching Band, I think they do a great job.
H2Oville Rocket Wrote:Finally, I think, and RUIT can help me here, that its against the law to play any song but the five approved marching band songs that every band in the country plays at every show (and every show must include Gary Glitter) and any thing else by Tommy James and the Shondells. No song written since 1982 is permitted. Don't know why that's a law but I'm pretty sure it is. Last year BG broke it by playing stuff by BonJovi and it was a disaster. So don't blame the Rocket Band for following Band Law.
Violation of this law was most apparent a couple of years ago at the NIU-Toledo game in DeKalb when the NIU band performed the "Rocky Horror Picture Show", something I'll never forget (and not because it was good...).
RangerRocket Wrote:H2Oville Rocket Wrote:Finally, I think, and RUIT can help me here, that its against the law to play any song but the five approved marching band songs that every band in the country plays at every show (and every show must include Gary Glitter) and any thing else by Tommy James and the Shondells. No song written since 1982 is permitted. Don't know why that's a law but I'm pretty sure it is. Last year BG broke it by playing stuff by BonJovi and it was a disaster. So don't blame the Rocket Band for following Band Law.
Violation of this law was most apparent a couple of years ago at the NIU-Toledo game in DeKalb when the NIU band performed the "Rocky Horror Picture Show", something I'll never forget (and not because it was good...).
Yep, I've seen a lot of halftime shows and that was absolutely the oddest I've ever seen. It just didn't work.
-Dan
Photodan Wrote:H2Oville Rocket Wrote:UT doesn't have a school of music but...
Whatever you do, don't tell that to the students at UT who are majoring in Music in the UT Music Department. (http://www.utoledo.edu/as/music/index.html)
-Dan
Oh, well, yeah-if you're gonna count that one. Is having a major and a Department the same as having a music school? I guess I think of Oberlin or Cinci, who actually have conservatories, I think. Hell, what do I know? Anyway the band is MUUUUUCH better than when I was there.
H2Oville Rocket Wrote:Anyway the band is MUUUUUCH better than when I was there.
Let's hope so H2O, this was the percussion line when you attended TU...
![[Image: 2001+2.img_assist_custom.jpg]](http://www.reverseshot.com/system/files/images/2001+2.img_assist_custom.jpg)
Yikes! I guess I should comment as well.
The band still does the lot 10 pregame performance and people love it. The band has been musically competitive with all of the other bands with whom they have shared halftime. Some bands are just bigger and thus will be louder (Western comes to mind). Also, you can't expect UT to have the same enrollment as OSU or UM- schools that are MUCH bigger than Toledo.
As far as music selections, (this is just my opinion) the band usually picks appropriate music for halftime (usually, not always). We've done Earth wind and fire, chicago, Queen, Chase, and many other fun songs for the crowd. The songs you listed are good, but many other songs work as well. We've (I can say that as a UT alumnus) gone up against bands much bigger than us (in 2004 against BG and then Miami in the MACC). In the MACC we even played the same song as the Miami band and despite them being over double our size, we put out more volume and had cleaner playing and marching.
As far as spirit, the Toledo Athletic Bands have ALWAYS BEEN BY FAR THE MOST INVOLVED IN THE GAME OF ANY MAC BAND. PERIOD.
Basketball coaches always comment to Joplin and Ehlen that they hate Toledo's band because they are always chanting and cheering and being completely obnoxious. I remember in 2002, in the MACC at Marshall, when despite drunk Marshall students throwing ice and snowballs at the band, we cheered and played spiritedly while the Marshall band spent most of the time trying to stay warm. Also, when the Herd band played at halftime, at least half of the home side crowd went for concessions.
Dozens of former RMB alumni still remain active by being season ticket holders and going to many road games. Make sure you are around for homecoming this year. The RMB alumni band will be making a performance!!
As far as postgame is concerned, get lots of people to email the directors and kindly asked them why they stopped and if they consider doing it again. I'm sorry you think RMB "Just sucks" but there are many MANY people that would disagree. Most people don't complain about the "MMB" (Michigan) or the "BMB" (Western).
As far as the crappy DJ is concerned, email Athletics and kindly ask them to stop and let the band play. In fact, if you find the email address, let me know and I'll email athletics as well.
The band works too hard and for countless hours to have you make uninformed comments like that.
RangerRocket Wrote:H2Oville Rocket Wrote:Anyway the band is MUUUUUCH better than when I was there.
Let's hope so H2O, this was the percussion line when you attended TU...
That guy lived in 1124 @ Parks Tower. Never understood a single word he said for three years. I even remember his name- Austra Lo Pithicine. Wierd dude-used to bring back these really ugly women by the hair at closing time.
H2Oville Rocket Wrote:RangerRocket Wrote:H2Oville Rocket Wrote:Anyway the band is MUUUUUCH better than when I was there.
Let's hope so H2O, this was the percussion line when you attended TU...
That guy lived in 1124 @ Parks Tower. Never understood a single word he said for three years. I even remember his name- Austra Lo Pithicine. Wierd dude-used to bring back these really ugly women by the hair at closing time.
Great reply!!!
Oh, and btw...he brought 'em back by the hair cuz if you pull 'em by the feet they fill up with dirt.
BigBigRocketFan Wrote:As far as spirit, the Toledo Athletic Bands have ALWAYS BEEN BY FAR THE MOST INVOLVED IN THE GAME OF ANY MAC BAND. PERIOD.
Ever? ANY MAC band?
Oh, I get it - hyperbole.
Carry on.