Our Dogpound DJ...

[Nostical]

...is actually part of a new and growing trend. Who knew? With the way traditions (rivalries, logos, uniforms) are being discarded and/or jazzed up, it may not be long before we see the debuts of Wolverine Bo Bo and Buckeye Woody J.

"Marcus Gores, a Portland DJ who recently worked Oregon State's spring football game, took charge of the sound system at Reser Stadium...to pump up the crowd, and especially the players."

http://espn.go.com/blog/playbooksounds/post/_/id/5370/djs-step-up-their-game-at-sporting-events

 

[Adios]

Hard to feel excited about this trend, Nostical.

 

[SubbaBub]

It's inevitable. The question is how good is the stadium DJ going to be? It he a hack or does he add value to the experience.

One of the leaders of this new movement is Brooklyn Nets music supervisor J. Period, a mixtape DJ who has worked with The Roots and Common. The team hired him for more than your standard playlist of jock-jam favorites; they wanted him to create a soundtrack for games at the Barclays Center.

For his first season, J. Period created more than 150 remixes and edits of classic and new hits, each tailored to very specific game situations. A remix of Phil Collins' "In the Air Tonight" captures the feeling of anticipation before the players take the floor. A fresh combination of Carmina Burana with Nas' "Hate Me Now" stirs up feelings of battle, so it's well suited to bring the crowd back into the game after halftime. And an edit of Jay-Z's "U Don't Know" in the fourth quarter of a close game never fails to rouse the Brooklyn fans.

"That's the challenge. It's about being fresh and different and flipping the conventional wisdom on its head," J. Period said. "That's what a good DJ does and that has always been a central tenet of hip hop: Be fresh, be original."

 

[Chin Diesel]

I saw that article 9or a similar article) a fews days ago and was going to post it but decided it would only lead to another miserable off-season thread on game day atmosphere.

Until they bring pole dancers out on the field for pregame and during commercial breaks, color me underwhelmed.

 

[Dooley]

Personally, I don't see what a DJ adds to a gameday experience. And I won't see it until the demographic he supposedly caters to (younger crowd, student section, etc) gets excited because of him. I remember the student section singing a Bon Jovi song long after it was done playing and thought to myself if *that* happened more frequently, then I'd be less embarrassed of the DJ. But, thus far, it's only happened once and our young crowd/student section continues to leave games early regardless of score or game importance. Then come third quarter, the DJ is left trying to pump up an older crowd that cringes at his voice and empty seats vacated by his demographic.

 

[SubbaBub]

Concept vs. Execution. It holds for the entire program. From the players to the band, coaches, stadium, DJ, and the fans. If I were to rank how each group has stepped it up over the last 10 years, it would go something like this:

1. Players - leveling off but after ten years, it's hard not to be impressed with the results. Been carrying us since Day 1.
2. Tailgating - a giant airfield speaks for itself. Fix a few minor annoyances (gate opening time) and we're there.
3. Band - pregame music has become stale. Keep what works and dump the rest. The 30 yrd block 'C' crawl has to go.
4. Stadium - trying new things, some work some don't need a cleaner program and 20k more seats. Traffic is done well.
5. Fans - Yup, we have our moments, but for the most part we suck. Too many interested in anything but the game.
6. DJ - Read the ESPN article, that's how to do this. Doesn't need to be seen.
7. Coaches - Knew this had to be near the bottom right?
8. The Big East - The conference we spent millions to join collapsed like a ponzi scheme.

 

[zls44]

I think you're over thinking it.

One DJ is cheaper than subsidizing an entire band.


I don't like it, but I really feel that at some schools, that's the way they see it.

 

[formerlurker]

I don't mind a DJ, just don't let him speak.

 

[Sean]

I don't mind a DJ, just don't let him speak.

Exactly. The annoyance of DJ Joey is his talking, and also to some extent his song choice. You saw in that article a DJ say - it's not trying to get music out there that will get people to dance - it's a different demographic. DJ Joey doesn't really understand that - he consistently goes back to your "Call Me Maybe" of the word trying to get people dancing, even though it's not a dance event.

Songs like Sandstorm, Seven Nation Army, etc - those get people moving and in more of a sporting mindset. They are "masculine dance songs" if you will. I always thought O Fortuna was INCREDIBLE to have the players come out to - it got me real pumped up, and not much does. The Kanye West song we had, though, blegh. It's just a run of the mill song, makes me feel mediocre - and then the football teams performance has matched (no, I don't think one causes the other).

DJ's are the future, but honestly, they are more of the past than people realize. The key is just to get a GOOD DJ and have him hide, other than the music he plays.

 

[BoatShow]

I walked into the wide open DJ booth at the Brewfest, homie has a sweet view.

 

[hthusky74]

I don't even notice the DJ for the most part he is irrelevant as is the cheer squad since they eliminated the cheerleader program.

 

[Nostical]

Concept vs. Execution.
Tailgating - a giant airfield speaks for itself. Fix a few minor annoyances (gate opening time) and we're there.
Band - pregame music has become stale. Keep what works and dump the rest. The 30 yrd block 'C' crawl has to go.

Agree with you on Tailgating.
Disagree with you on Band: For a group hamstrung by its budget and with no practice facility (other than an open field on campus) they have done very well: new unis, lots of new matching (and costly) instruments. LOVE the Block C marching up the field. Visitors always comment on our Band. The Pre-Game you call stale others call a great tradition.

 

[whaler11]

The problem isn't that UConn has a DJ. The problem is that he is so ridiculously bad.

 

[SubbaBub]

Agree with you on Tailgating.
Disagree with you on Band: For a group hamstrung by its budget and with no practice facility (other than an open field on campus) they have done very well: new unis, lots of new matching (and costly) instruments. LOVE the Block C marching up the field. Visitors always comment on our Band. The Pre-Game you call stale others call a great tradition.

Get them more money, get them better practice facilities. It's what big time programs do. Tradition has a lot of empty seats. The program could be better just as everything else needs to be better. The Block 'C' drill is very static by comparison to other programs, it could use a makeover.

 

[Jimdish255]

Are they screaming and dancing for the game, the music, or the 3 seconds of fame on the scoreboard? We know it's the latter and too often has no connection to the game. But with the offense so inept last year it's hard to criticize any distraction.

 

[Nostical]

Get them more money, get them better practice facilities. It's what big time programs do.The Block 'C' drill is very static by comparison to other programs, it could use a makeover.

Really Subb? The President already has said they have no funds to dedicate to the band as it's unfortunately not a current priority given other needs, but a big check from you and others would certainly help. These kids practice as often as the football team.
And as for the Block C, it is actually fantastic and a better pre-game formation than many other venues I've been to. What makes the others seem more exciting is the large and raucous complement of fans watching and cheering. Here's a quick 30+ sec comparison of Tennessee's Block T, which their team runs through, and our Block C marching up the field. I think you'll notice a slight difference in the reception each receives. As you watch, do me a favor. Picture each event taking place within the other's atmosphere. Do you think that T would look so awesome at the Rent? And how about if a frenzied Rent greeted the C as it marched, with the crowd roaring U/C/O/N/N in unison, at high decibles, as the crossover occurs.
http://www.tubechop.com/watch/1197311
http://www.tubechop.com/watch/1197321
Our pre-game turnout is a rank embarrassment and for a lot more reasons than our Block C. I'm sure the visitors from Tennessee who arrive early at our game will be stunned at how empty and uninspired our stadium looks. Lets just hope we wake up soon enough. Like this fall. Michigan is coming.

 

[SubbaBub]

Really Subb? The President already has said they have no funds to dedicate to the band as it's unfortunately not a current priority given other needs, but a big check from you and others would certainly help. These kids practice as often as the football team.
And as for the Block C, it is actually fantastic and a better pre-game formation than many other venues I've been to. What makes the others seem more exciting is the large and raucous complement of fans watching and cheering. Here's a quick 30+ sec comparison of Tennessee's Block T, which their team runs through, and our Block C marching up the field. I think you'll notice a slight difference in the reception each receives. As you watch, do me a favor. Picture each event taking place within the other's atmosphere. Do you think that T would look so awesome at the Rent? And how about if a frenzied Rent greeted the C as it marched, with the crowd roaring U/C/O/N/N in unison, at high decibles, as the crossover occurs.
http://www.tubechop.com/watch/1197311
http://www.tubechop.com/watch/1197321
Our pre-game turnout is a rank embarrassment and for a lot more reasons than our Block C. I'm sure the visitors from Tennessee who arrive early at our game will be stunned at how empty and uninspired our stadium looks. Lets just hope we wake up soon enough. Like this fall. Michigan is coming.

Don't be so sensitive. I've seen the show, every week, for the last ten years. Married to a former band member. Been to a lot of other venues. UCMB, like the FB program, has unlimited potential but isn't "there" yet. If anyone is satisfied with any aspect of UCONN Football, they are part of the problem.

Btw, I given thousands to a University that I didn't attend. And if you get past your 'former clarinet inferiority complex' you'll notice I had the band listed as the third best thing we have going.

Since I'm on a roll, here is a few things to consider. Instead of milling out from the three sidelines, how about marching in from different areas of the field, or better yet, though the tunnel. How about reordering part of the program to put the battle hymn (my father's favorite part, makes him weepy) in a spot where it doesn't kill momentum, maybe rearrange it to lose the beginning part that no one can hear and sounds like half the band doesn't know the piece. Most of all, develop a musical program that relfects playing outside as a marching band and not a symphonic orchestra. That means drums, trumpets and more cowbell..er..Sousaphone. And lastly, the silks need to stop adding on the U to the block C. That's freaking Cincinnati.

 

[huskymedic]

 

[whaler11]

Michigan's band practices on a basketball court with football lines painted on it at least pre-game.

 

[Dooley]

Michigan's band practices on a basketball court with football lines painted on it at least pre-game.

I've seen them practice there on game day. It was a stone's throw from the lumber yard that we parked at to watch watch D Robinson run all over our defense.

 

[Nostical]

And if you get past your 'former clarinet inferiority complex' you'll notice I had the band listed as the third best thing we have going.

Ha! How the heck did you know I played the clarinet? Look, I won't argue that there are lots of improvements that can be made in several areas, and you have offered some ideas for the band pre-game--but the question remains-- change it for whom? Our football culture can't get anyone in their seats to watch it. The Band could announce that the flag squad will be topless next game and most of the crowd would still be in the parking lot scarfing those few last beers. (And that wasn't meant as an indictment of our flag squad, lol!)

 

[SubbaBub]

Ha! How the heck did you know I played the clarinet? Look, I won't argue that there are lots of improvements that can be made in several areas, and you have offered some ideas for the band pre-game--but the question remains-- change it for whom? Our football culture can't get anyone in their seats to watch it. The Band could announce that the flag squad will be topless next game and most of the crowd would still be in the parking lot scarfing those few last beers. (And that wasn't meant as an indictment of our flag squad, lol!)

Wife played the clarinet and is also highly protective of the band as are all her clarinet friends.

I guarantee a topless show would fill the seats despite the obvious other problems.

The point is to develop the culture in all aspects. Let's take the Ohio State video game performance (google it if you haven't seen it) as an extreme example. If the fan base knows they will see some cool sh$# from the band, more will make a point of being in there seats. Opening the tailgates an hour earlier would also help this.

My overall point is there is work to be done on all aspects. To misuse a quote from Shawshank Redemption, it is time "to get busy living or get busy dying" for the AD and the FB program especially.

For the band, it means redoing the show, monitoring what other bands are doing and draw people in.

Sent from my MB860 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Marty Jackson]

Exactly. The annoyance of DJ Joey is his talking, and also to some extent his song choice. You saw in that article a DJ say - it's not trying to get music out there that will get people to dance - it's a different demographic. DJ Joey doesn't really understand that - he consistently goes back to your "Call Me Maybe" of the word trying to get people dancing, even though it's not a dance event.

Songs like Sandstorm, Seven Nation Army, etc - those get people moving and in more of a sporting mindset. They are "masculine dance songs" if you will. I always thought O Fortuna was INCREDIBLE to have the players come out to - it got me real pumped up, and not much does. The Kanye West song we had, though, blegh. It's just a run of the mill song, makes me feel mediocre - and then the football teams performance has matched (no, I don't think one causes the other).

DJ's are the future, but honestly, they are more of the past than people realize. The key is just to get a GOOD DJ and have him hide, other than the music he plays.

We need more 'Welcome to the Jungle'...
Bottom line, if there's no play going on, this GnR song needs to be heard.
Whoever chooses the song list needs to realize the opportunity here.

Imagine this song getting ready for a 3rd down defensive stand. Would be awesome.

 

[ConnHuskBask]

We need more 'Welcome to the Jungle'...
Bottom line, if there's no play going on, this GnR song needs to be heard.
Whoever chooses the song list needs to realize the opportunity here.

Imagine this song getting ready for a 3rd down defensive stand. Would be awesome.

Is my sarcasm meter broken?

 

[whaler11]

Is my sarcasm meter broken?

That comment alone could break one. Welcome to the Jungle is so tired it's painful.