Welp…it’s the time of year that all bandheads and fans of the craft absolutely dread, the off-season. It’s that time of the year (for HBCU Bandom) where gameday experiences consists of facebook groups, smack talk, and hour after hour of YouTube footage ,or like entities(Shout out to my man Dave Norman @ BandTubeHD, the community @ BandHead.org, and the Standard by which all other HBCU Marching Band Social Media sites are measured, Christy Walker, Mike Lee @ The 5th Quarter). Even with these tools at the ready, it’s hardly a replacement for those last two weeks in August when you KNOW the season is right around the corner. With that spirit in mind, let’s take a quick look back at some of the more interesting moments from last season.
1) The BoomBox Classic was one for the ages…AGAIN.
In the craft, there may not be a rivalry more intense or anticipated by fans and bandheads than The Sonic Boom of the South (Jackson State University) vs. ‘The Human Jukebox‘ (Southern University-Baton Rouge). Both programs are among the best in the nation (PWC or otherwise); Both are also representative of what the greater HBCU football Game Day experience is all about. You put these two programs in a stadium together (or in a gym) and you’re going to have a hard drive full of great footage, great musicianship, and great memories of a true HBCU ‘bucket list’ experience. This year’s edition of the BoomBox was no different, as evidenced below:
2) A Storied program returned to the scene in a MAJOR way…
The Aristocrat of Bands (Tennessee State Univ.) is arguably one of the more tradition-laden and steady programs out there, but the shine they get is muted by their sports memberships (The Ohio Valley Conference doesn’t really lend itself to visibility for an HBCU band program as much as traditional HBCU conferences would). Nevertheless, the AoB was back with a vengeance this season with a large band, brandishing a polished on-field sound and their trademark encyclopedia of stand music. They were one of the most consistent on-field performers this season.
3)Talladega continues to raise eyebrows and visibility, for better or worse.
I don’t think there was a more…polarizing….band program than ‘The Marching Tornadoes‘ out of Alabama. Getting noticed when you don’t have a football program is the ultimate hurdle for ANY HBCU program to deal with, but Talladega has done so by hitting any and every BOTB, parade, or 3rd party exhibition they could muster. The result was a HONDA Showcase appearance, a first for the 3 year-old program. Do they get a LOT of influence from a certain band program in the Gulf Coast region? Absolutely. Could their field shows use a bit of polish? Possibly. That being said, you’d be hard pressed to find a 3-year old program with THIS type of potential…Besides, moments like this year’s Fountain City Battle of the Bands Event (Talladega’s multiple ‘sucker’ punches vs. a returning FAMU, and resulting face-off with in-state rival Miles College) are classic ‘YouTube legend’ material for programs like Talladega.
4) Is the State of Alabama turning into a new hotbed for HBCU Band rivalries?
Bama State, AAMU, Miles, and Talladega College…Sounds like one heck of a fatal 4-way Battle of the Bands slugfest, doesn’t it? It’s been a long time since the Mighty Marching Hornets (and to a lesser extent, the Marching Maroon & White of Alabama A&M) have had elevated IN-STATE competition for recruits and fans. I’m a bit partial to the Black & gold, but it’s great to see 4 programs with the type of potential that these 4 do…BTW, that 4-way dance needs to happen a lot SOONER than later…SERIOUSLY…
5)‘Bama State Style’ may just get the bad taste of Drumline out of my Mouth.
Finally…We have the opportunity to purge the scourge of Devin Miles (and the lame sequel) from our collective memory banks. Lifetime is now home for the first reality series based on what we do in the craft. So far, ‘Bama State Style’ has lived up to the billing. No Atlanta A&T, no Petey Pablo in endangered fur coats; Just a good representation of what a Black College Marching Band is all about. As an MMH Alum, it’s a proud moment for myself, as well as anybody else that had the opportunity to call Tulibody Hall home for 4 years. It’s also great to see a new generation of Marching Hornets navigate their way through the HBCU landscape like we did long ago.
Needless to say, I’m chomping at the bit for the 2015-16 season to get here. Pretty soon we’ll be seeing oceans of white tees, combat boots, and green freshmen experiencing their first taste of Pre-Drill. Given how the 2014-15 season progressed, This upcoming one should be something to behold.
