Reform the band

[PonyOnceAgain]

I been reading the board for a while...finally chose to post. I graduated from SMU back in 77, and ended up moving to California. I lost track of SMU football during the 80s and hadn't been to a game in many many years before I moved back to Dallas this summer. A coworker introduced me to this site and got me going to games again. I guess I'm a good luck charm!

I thought that with all the talk about new mustang mascots and sending the band to Hawaii and improving the game atmosphere and changing the culture I would post on something nobody seems to be talking about.

Back in school I had a room mate who was in the band, so I paid attention to them. They played almost constantly, they were always in your face, and they seemed like a bunch of guys really into the game. I never cared for the type of music they play/played, but it was always entertaining because it was showy and in your face.

Maybe it is just my memory from a long time ago but the band now just seems to be a bad copy of what there used to be. It doesn't seem to be showy, it hardly ever plays, and when it does it doesn't seem as special as it used to be. The marching seems a little slower and a little lazier. The music softer and simpler.

This isn't a knock on any of the students in the band now, I know that maybe times have changed and it isn't their fault and maybe there aren't as many kids learning band instruments or maybe there were more athletic kids in band back then and now they aren't athletic kids to do the same things. Maybe it is what they learn before like how it is hard to get football players to play a wishbone offense because everyone learns the spread growing up now.

Am I the only one thinking these things? It seems their old gimmick is something they can't pull off anymore, maybe they need to start over again with a new gimmick that they can do and can be special again.

I have some other comments Ill post later.

[Arkpony]

I think he is right. When I was in the band in the 50's and SMU started a drive, we would play Peruna constantly, playing soft when we were snapping the ball and LOUDLY when the play started, on and on until we either scored or relinquished possession. I mean, WE PLAYED MAN!!!

[jtstang]

They did it that way all through my undergrad days in the '80s and it was awesome.

[ponyfan08]

Please attend the SMU-TCU Basketball tomorrow night. The band really rocks Moody. The house should be full tomorrow night, hopefully wIth more SMU fans than TCU.

[SmooBoy]

My understanding, as we continued this soft/loud playing through the late 80's - early 90's, and 300-400 times through Peruna was the norm in a game, the rules on when the band can actually play changed per NCAA rules. If I am wrong on this, call me out.

[mr. pony]

There wasn't all the piped-in music and "game day presentation" years ago. That's the main reason for the change.

The band, besides the game, WAS the "game day presentation."

(It does seem like they open the show, marching out playing Peruna, slower, though.)

[gostangs]

When the band added a higher percentage of girls instead of just one or two - then it changed from being more of a fraternity -which is what it was back up through the early 80's - into what it is now - which is a bit watered down in my view. Still THE orginization at SMU that carries on most of our traditions - but I agree they need to consider what they can do to move back towards a more athletic style of marching and playing. Getting rid of all flutes and clarinets would solve most of the problem - as soon as the numbers will allow.

Also - someone else might know this better - but I think the non stop Puruna cannot happen now since it is technically a penalty if the band plays when the ball is in play - not sure if that has been tested lately - if not it should be tried by doing what they used to do which is come down to almost nothing until the snap - and then go real loud. there was nothing better then driving the other fans insane with the chinese water torcher of 500 perunas in a row.

[mr. pony]

When the band added a higher percentage of girls instead of just one or two - then it changed from being more of a fraternity -which is what it was back up through the early 80's - into what it is now - which is a bit watered down in my view. Still THE orginization at SMU that carries on most of our traditions - but I agree they need to consider what they can do to move back towards a more athletic style of marching and playing. Getting rid of all flutes and clarinets would solve most of the problem - as soon as the numbers will allow.

Also - someone else might know this better - but I think the non stop Puruna cannot happen now since it is technically a penalty if the band plays when the ball is in play - not sure if that has been tested lately - if not it should be tried by doing what they used to do which is come down to almost nothing until the snap - and then go real loud. there was nothing better then driving the other fans insane with the chinese water torcher of 500 perunas in a row.

great post.
The continuous Peruna was great. I think 700-something times against TCU is the record for continous plays.
It would go down to just the saxes until the snap then it would blare again. I saw many a great drive accompanied by that. It helped.

[The Spaz]

Uh, band ain't got flutes or clarinets, buddy...

Also, crediting the addition of women to the "watering down" of the Mustang Band is a great landmine to step on.

Good luck with this thread

[Samurai Stang]

I agree, the band has been disappointing. Let our general June Jones serve as the example that for any change to come about it must begin with a change in leadership. Let the band be commanded by one that will make the stadium shake with the sounds of our fight song, and may the music of merriment they play not be limited to outdated American rap.

[Samurai Stang]

Uh, band ain't got flutes or clarinets, buddy...

Also, crediting the addition of women to the "watering down" of the Mustang Band is a great landmine to step on.

Good luck with this thread

Women distract men from having a singular purpose, and lack the warrior's courage of men. A bow drawn by a woman will not shoot.

[gostangs]

landmine or not...it is just truthful - it has not been the same since the chicks got over 20% of the total. I know its hard enough to field a band as it is - so there is no going back - but they should just try to be faster and louder.

also -I'm pretty sure I have seen flutes for sure...

They need more precision marching - and if anyone - male or female - is too slow to keep up then they can stand on the sidelines and play or something....

[The Spaz]

Uh, band ain't got flutes or clarinets, buddy...

Also, crediting the addition of women to the "watering down" of the Mustang Band is a great landmine to step on.

Good luck with this thread

Women distract men from having a singular purpose, and lack the warrior's courage of men. A bow drawn by a woman will not shoot.

Confucius say any man who finds women inferior in battle has not met Spaz's Mom on a bad day...

[Mexmustang]

I hate to disparage the band in any way as for 20+ they were the last vestage of school spirit. However, you guys are right! As far as continuous Peruna, during an offensive drive, the NCAA may penalize the band if it interfers with the offensive signals, etc. However, since we tone down the volume between plays ( I remember it was a soft candence), and most importantly it's our band playing while we have the ball, who are we going to penalize? Would we call a penalty on our own band? Ourselves? I am sure June and the band director could agree on how it should work. When the current coaching staff came here they all remarked how they remember how agressive the band was on offensive plays and how exciting it was. They all remembered, while many of us have forgotten.

[RunPeruna]

I might be imagining this, but I think the band has started playing a softer version of peruna lately (at football as well as basketball). It is a quiet "verse" and then a loud one. Not the same as the old days, but still a quiet part. Is this just purely a coincidence or are the winds of change blowing in? Anybody have any insight?