Earlier this year, I started a new feature series of VFTS content titled, “Legendary Forgotten 5ths”. If you’re an HBCU bandhead, or are familiar with the culture of HBCU Bandom, then you know how much significance a good 5th quarter showdown has for both the bands involved and their respective audiences and fanbases. Simply put, a memorable 5th quarter faceoff after a great game is an event that can be remembered for decades over. The 2nd installment of this series involves two programs that have a storied history of creasing scalps in the stands. The Southern University “Human Jukebox” and the Texas Southern “Ocean of Soul” band programs are neighbors in the gulf, and one of the more heated rivalries in HBCU Bandom. Most SWAC stand encounters are high octane, high-intensity match-ups to begin with, but SU vs. TxSU is one of those rivalries that fans look forward to every year for this particular reason. 2006 was an especially anticipated year for these two bands to face off, as both bands were packing in both instrumentation, and just plain ol’ heat. Check out the footage of said 5th quarter below:
Now, I wouldn’t want to get into a debate with anybody from Jukebox Nation or The Ocean’s fanbase about who ultimately came away with the W that day. Pride has a way of clouding objectivity…LOL. That being said, there were a number of ‘wow’ moments from both bands, and there was arguably a ‘non-returnable’ of epic proportions thrown the way of the Jukebox in the name of TxSU’s rendition of “Careless Whisper”. At the end of the day, both bands put on a real show for the audience that was gung-ho enough to stay for that 5th quarter showdown. In 40 minutes of musical mayhem, both bands did nothing but cement their own reputations as bands that you DON’T wanna meet in the stands without a good repertoire. Real talk, both the Jukebox and the Ocean Of Soul are both known for having two of the most expansive and diverse libraries of music selections to draw upon in all of HBCU Bandom. You never really know what genre of music you’re gonna get with either of these bands, and that was on full display during this 5th.
Sooooo…Who won this 5th Quarter? I ain’t answering that, fam…I’ll let that sort itself out among HBCU fandom out on the innawebs. I just appreciate good HBCU band craft history when I see it. Welp, that’ it for this edition of Legendary Forgotten 5ths! Until the next entry…
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