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Men's Basketball

Sunday, February 22, 2009

KU band heralded after recorded music switch

By Christine Metz

Members of the Kansas University basketball band get wild as they perform the Rock Chalk Chant prior to tipoff against Nebraska. Saturday’s game featured much more of the traditional band-playing songs instead of the recorded music heard at Wednesday’s game.

Photo by Nick Krug

Members of the Kansas University basketball band get wild as they perform the Rock Chalk Chant prior to tipoff against Nebraska. Saturday’s game featured much more of the traditional band-playing songs instead of the recorded music heard at Wednesday’s game.

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Reader poll

Would you rather hear live music or recorded music when attending a sporting event?

  • Live music 78% 2347 votes
  • Recorded music 3% 95 votes
  • A combination of both 11% 359 votes
  • Neither 2% 66 votes
  • It doesn't matter 4% 137 votes

3004 total votes.

KU vs. Nebraska

It was all band, almost all the time at Saturday’s Kansas University men’s basketball game.

A switch to more recorded music over the loudspeakers and less band music at Wednesday’s game versus Iowa State had some fans worried that KU’s basketball tradition was being tainted with NBA-style shenanigans.

But the tune changed on Saturday.

The band’s continuous repertoire of fight songs and crowd-pleasers such as “Come On Eileen” and “Sweet Caroline” left many in the stands of Allen Fieldhouse with smiles.

“Band all the way,” self-described Jayhawk fanatic Lori Carr said.

KU senior A.J. Brenn noticed the acoustic difference when he watched Wednesday’s game on television. And he appreciated the return to primarily band music at the next home game.

“I’m sure some people get pumped up with the piped-in music, but I think the majority of students like the traditional band playing,” Brenn said.

Jeff Ayesh — who has held season tickets since Larry Brown started coaching — said the recorded music reminded him too much of Kansas State games.

Not everyone was opposed to Wednesday’s switch up. Cheering from the student section, KU freshman Josh DeBoer said it helped fill in the silences; Lawrence resident Bryan Smith said it was easier to hear over the recorded music; and KU freshman Jack Xu said it really didn’t make that much of a difference.

“It’s just music,” he said.

After Wednesday’s game, Jim Marchiony with KU Athletics Department said the addition of recorded music was an effort “to change things up a little bit.” On Saturday, Marchiony said he didn’t have anything more to say about the subject.

As for the band, members said Saturday it was nice to know that their work doesn’t go unnoticed.

“I know that we are a big part of the game,” bass guitarist Joe Nasternak said. “But it’s made me realize how big of a deal we are here.”

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Comments

truefan (anonymous) says...

It was such a relief to hear the band again instead of the recorded stuff. I don't want KU basketball games to become unoriginal like NBA games and K-State games. Leave the recordings for other schools that need it, we don't.

February 22, 2009 at 12:10 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

Hawksboy88 (anonymous) says...

i love the word shenanigans

February 22, 2009 at 12:21 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

Omegatron (anonymous) says...

The band needs to be bigger and placed in the middle of section M. F**k the pre-recorded piped in music. This is college not the not the National Boredom Association.

February 22, 2009 at 12:24 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

actorman (anonymous) says...

"This is college not the not the National Boredom Association."

LOL! And amen, brother.

February 22, 2009 at 12:38 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

summers (anonymous) says...

I love the Band. They add to the excitement of the game. There's nothing better than live music.

February 22, 2009 at 1:15 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

KU1979 (anonymous) says...

Shenanigans. Anybody remember the club by that name at 9th and Mississippi? I took my wife there on our first date in 1977. Ok, that's a little off topic.

February 22, 2009 at 8:28 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

hawkman1031 (anonymous) says...

Years ago, the Marching Band started this Nebraska hog calling song. Too funny. Alumni marched down the hill with the band the past two homecomings. Against NU in 07, the bands sang the song loudly underneath the northwest stands before the team smacked them with 76 points. Good to see Jayhawks for Jayhawk music, and the team creaming the corn. Nebraska should be beaten well and often...like a rug.
It would be great to hear "mony mony" piped in, injecting "rock chalk jayhawk" after phrases like "Here she comes now, sayin mony mony...hey... rock chalk jayhawk", instead of the...ahem... older, vulgar words I've heard in a club or two.
Anyway... Go Hawks.
The stupid media wondered out loud even 1.5 months ago whether the Hawks would make the NCAA. How plain stupid. I said it then. The learning curve of a young Jayhawk team is great and we haven't missed the tournament since probation in 1989... probably haven't missed it otherwise since Ozzy became the Prince of Darkness... oops... that's a different commercial...

February 22, 2009 at 8:31 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

Jhaux (anonymous) says...

Shenanigans. Anybody remember the club by that name at 9th and Mississippi? I took my wife there on our first date in 1977.

Heck yeah. Days of Disco. !!!

February 22, 2009 at 9:25 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

Hawksj (anonymous) says...

"Reminds him of a Kansas State game".

LOL!

February 22, 2009 at 9:26 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

drgnslayr (anonymous) says...

A round of applause for the band, cheerleaders, and everyone who is a dedicated volunteer for creating the atmosphere so special in AFH! Somewhere in basketball heaven the KU forefathers are standing and applauding from the high seats reserved for the afterlife.

February 22, 2009 at 10:01 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

Yahweh (anonymous) says...

"A switch to more recorded music over the loudspeakers and less band music at Wednesday’s game versus Iowa State had some fans worried that KU’s basketball tradition was being tainted with NBA-style shenanigans."

Um, "some fans?" Every person I know was worried about this.

February 22, 2009 at 10:25 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

nelson (anonymous) says...

I always liked when thre other team had to call time out, and we would go right into the hey song. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GAxb72...

February 22, 2009 at 10:45 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

beebe1 (anonymous) says...

Thank goodness all the logins on the band matter worked! I think that good readership and wise comments do a lot for the team, the atmosphere, and our reading.

I remember that we got an 'unofficial' but well connected comment on our new 7 footer. I think someone is paying attention to the fans!

February 22, 2009 at 11:54 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

jwliddell (anonymous) says...

nelson - I never knew where that song came from.. I guess I never took the time to investigate. How in the hell does a guay like Gary Glitter end up "writing" a song that is neither rock or roll, and it ends up washing ashore of all our pro sports? Damn 80's, I wish I was born just 7 months earlier so I wouldn't be an 80's child, although that decade did provide quite a bit of hilarity! And yes I said guay - it was originally a typo but then I realized it was a Freudian slip.

February 22, 2009 at 11:55 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

scramjay (anonymous) says...

I have a suggestion. mic the band!!

February 22, 2009 at 12:07 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

DalTXJayhawk (anonymous) says...

I've suggested moving them to section N, puts them right next to the visitors bench!!

February 22, 2009 at 12:54 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

Tetonhawk (Ross Hartley) says...

jwliddell: You are saved as an 80's child because "Hey Song" was released in 1972. About the height of the war protest era and not too long after students burned the KU student union and caused martial law in Lawrence.

February 22, 2009 at 1:47 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

mandomax (anonymous) says...

why would they interview freshman on their opinions concerning the music? I mean, I hate to be the overbearing upperclassman (well, super upperclassman as I graduated a few years ago) but to interview 18 year old kids who have very few games doesn't compare to interviewing Lawrence natives (yours truly) who have seen games for 20+ years or at least jrs. or seniors who have sat through many more games.

that being said, I'm happy the band is getting more exposure. Screw recorded music at AFH.

February 22, 2009 at 1:49 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

lighthawk (anonymous) says...

During Ted Owens era, the band was stationed left of the bench - so the team entered between their bench and the band. The team used to enter exactly at the end of the Rock Chalk chant and right before the fight song, "I'm a Jay Jay ...." That time was special as when they played when "you say Bud Stallworth" you've said it all. The crowd would yell and fill in for the famous Budweiser song of that time.
Later the band was moved closer to the visitor bench.

Not sure if it still happens but the band used to stay after the games and play jazz tunes.

February 22, 2009 at 1:54 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

100 (anonymous) says...

Much better fieldhouse atmosphere. I'm so glad we didnt just throw 100 years of the best band in America into the trashcan. Much more Jayhawklike. Good job JM.

Another thing: For nearly twenty years, the "hey" chant was part of what kept the field house juiced the entire game. More of that is needed. The only reason it was taken away is because of...

Well, I'm stumped... why was it taken away?

February 22, 2009 at 2:01 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

Tetonhawk (Ross Hartley) says...

Hey Song banned: http://www2.kusports.com/news/2006/se...

February 22, 2009 at 2:04 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

OakvilleJHawk (anonymous) says...

If they must play recorded music, make it recordings of the Pep Band and put it at about 120 decibels [sound of a jet plane engine} :}:}:}:}:}

February 22, 2009 at 2:22 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

ohioburg (anonymous) says...

Screw freshmen opinions. They don't have any historical perspective yet.

February 22, 2009 at 4:56 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

weaglehawk (anonymous) says...

I like the music better. It gets you way more pumped up and it pumps up the players too... Which is the point of it. Let the band play the fight song and school song.

February 22, 2009 at 5:16 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

Omegatron (anonymous) says...

"After Wednesday’s game, Jim Marchiony with KU Athletics Department said the addition of recorded music was an effort “to change things up a little bit.” On Saturday, Marchiony said he didn’t have anything more to say about the subject."

Of course he had nothing to say. He's waiting for the summer when everyone is out of town to implement his master plan...

February 22, 2009 at 6:06 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

phogthedog (anonymous) says...

At least we know that Marchiony (or one of his minions) can read.....since the message was loud and clear. What do you expect when the AD doesn't have any ties to KU? Tradition means nothing to that dept.

February 22, 2009 at 7:54 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

BandDad (anonymous) says...

I just wanted to say thanks to JayhawkPurist for posting those email addresses on Friday. I emailed all of them about keeping the band tradition alive. It sounds like they had no idea how much it means to the fans to have such a good band or how much the band cares. We should all hang on to that email list make sure they know that these are not dead traditions, they are very much alive.

February 22, 2009 at 9:06 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

Omegatron (anonymous) says...

"It sounds like they had no idea how much it means to the fans to have such a good band or how much the band cares."

Don't let them fool you. They just acted that way to lessen the backlash.

There is no possible way anyone can run a major sports franchise and not know every aspect there of.

February 22, 2009 at 9:50 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

phogthedog (anonymous) says...

Maybe Lew's trying to phase out the band so that he has those tickets to sell in the field house.

February 23, 2009 at 6:59 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

DrRoach (anonymous) says...

If you don't think HCBS knew about this in advance your nuts. Wonder why he approved.

February 23, 2009 at 7:18 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

Milhawkee (anonymous) says...

Can you imagine Cole Aldrich playing in Rucker Park?

http://www2.kusports.com/news/2006/se...

February 23, 2009 at 10:35 a.m. ( | suggest removal )