A rant about stadium sounds and music

[DBrentonBuck]

Who is the person that decides what music is played in the stadium and durring certain situations in the game? I would like to welcome him to 2008.

While songs like Sandman and For Whom the Bell Tolls are over used in college football, there has to be something better than what we play.

Music can be a big tool in building an atmosphere in the stadium. Certain teams are indentified by songs they play and it really goes a long way in building a teams identity and creates a little fear in rivals minds.

Our identifiable songs are . . . Cat Scratch Fever ( a song about vagina btw) and Fins by Jimmy Buffet. During the game, about 50% of the music was old music from the 60s and about 40% of the music was . . . WWE theme songs.

WHAT WAS UP WITH THAT? They played Randy Orton, HHH, and Batista themes. I am not proud that I knew that is what they were, but that was very strange to me. Why would you play so many WWE theme songs at a football game?

Also, the cat growl sound effect is way over used. We are starting to be like TENN and Rockytop. After 1st down-cat growl, TD-cat growl, EP-cat growl, 3rd down-cat growl, someone ties their shoe-cat growl. It was just too much.

Do you guys have any suggestions for what could be played durring certain times of the game that would become part of the teams identity. I have one song that I think would be very cool.

If we kick a field goal that puts us ahead in a game or keeps us further ahead or when the other team misses a field goal we should play Ole by Bouncing Souls. The song would be cool because it begins with the Ole' soccer chant that if you hear once you won't stop singing it for days and days. Can you imagine 30,000 fans singing the Ole chant in the Nip? Second it mentions that we drink beer and wear Adidas (two things that mean something to bearcat fans). Third it talks about no one being able to beat us and having heart when we play, we will take you on any day.

I would just like something that we can get behind as fans. What we play now is horrible.

The Band-

The band is good... very good. They are hard to hear in the Lair, but what you can hear you can tell they are good. Once again the problem is the choice of music. HORRIBLE!!! Isn't the half time show supposed to keep you energized for the second half? Once again we get broadway music and a song from . . . Dirty Dancing . . .2. Are you serious? Dirty Dancing 2?

Again, I don't understand this band director. Last year we had to sit through the music of Dream Girls . . . twice! Dreamgirls? At a FOOTBALL game? Really???

Suffice it to say, the music isn't really striking fear in anyones hearts or motivating fans. "Oh no coach we don't want to play them Bearcats, they got Ted Nugent and Jimmy Buffet blairing in that stadium . . . have you seen the fans do the Fins dance?"

Ok I am done ranting

[Bruce Monnin]

Cool, Nugent and Buffett? I could party to that.

What the heck are Bouncing Souls?

And I always miss the halftime show anyway, since the restroom line is usually long.

[IAMWILLIAMSON]

Ur so right, They need a new soundtrack makeover big time, songs like Zombie Nation, Its goin down, Songs that will get the players fired up, (and the fans) NOT sweet caroline

[Bearcat Cafe]

Motorhead didn't get you guys fired up? Your pulse must be around 40.

[steveocincy]

in regards to stadium sounds, I wish they could have better placement of the sound system. we sit in section 101, essentially just south of the scoreboard and, hence, the speakers. I guess the volume is turned up for the entire stadium to hear from those speakers, cuz it is extremely loud there, making it difficult to talk.

Also, as a former band guy, I too didn't care for the song selection. sometimes the music people want to inject too much of the quality of the musical piece instead of playing music that people enjoy hearing, almost forcing people to enjoy music that they otherwise wouldn't care to listen to. I think more familiar and upbeat songs are more appropriate for football and basketball band songs (hence the term pep band).

[the_dude]

I've been waiting for a post like this...UC Marketing pay attention and pass this along. The music selection stinks!!!! Everybody groans when the stupid "fins" song plays (everyone except the over the hill, mullet laden crowd). It's absolutely EMBARASSING!!! Please stop this ASAP! I don't care if we play every standard college football song in the category. I cringed at several of the music selections yesterday.

As for the Ole by Bouncing Souls song, I'm not familiar with it, but if it contains the "Ole" soccer chant, I'M IN!!!!!!! I don't know why it isn't used more in college football.

Also, we need some industrious UC student group to print up some "cheer sheets" and hand them out before the game. At least in the student section, get them on board, then get the rest of the crowd to eventually follow. Get some unique things in there, but please leave out the "2 bits" cheer, that is embarassing also. We need to get some "tradition" in here pronto (even if it is brand new) Thirty years from now, I want UC to have many unique cheers/chants/songs that are second nature to fans and define Bearcat football, and have my grandkids ask, I wonder when/how this was started and be proud to tell them that it all started when Brian Kelly started getting butts-in-seats back in the day.

I know that there have been several attempts to get crowd involvement in the past, but all were half baked attempts. The more you get the crowd into it and make them part of the game, the more they'll want to come back. I've been to several pro/college games with good music/cheers/chants, and it makes you feel like you are part of the team instead of just watching.

[nolte50uc]

they need some reggie and the full effect.

[BearcatDAN]

Isn't it great to finally have some success......so people can obsess over music selections!!!

I mean it tongue-in-cheek! Although, I sit in the Lair and as the game is playing, I only really listen for the Bearcat roll from the student section...that is fun to watch.

I like the growl....it's great!!!

Enjoy the game!!! Drink a beer!!! Stomp your feet!!!

[jcraigmoore]

Lower the Volume

1. I don't like the volume level. I was in section 118 and couldn't hear the person talking to me who sitting next to me.

2. I'll admit to being an oldster (Class of 1972) but get some decent music not the rap and hip hop crap! If you do keep the crap at least lower the volume.

3. Only rap on the band is that they never play to both sidelines. Bearcat fans are all over that stadium not just the designated home side. In 72 the band was big enough to be heard all over that stadium, this one sounds like small high school!

[Scheids21]

I like fins....but not at a game! It is just awful selection. I think it actually does the opposite of pumping you up its so cheesy. Im sure the players feel the same way. I remember last year at the UConn game (we were up by a bunch at this point), but they played "Soulja Boy". Its a rap song for those of you who didnt know. But the players loved it! They were all dancing and just getting into it. Point is, music is supposed to pump the crowd and the players up. Right now, it does the opposite...

[nolte50uc]

But the players loved it!

That's how it should be decided what should be played. There's no way to keep the old people and the college kids (and everywhere in between) happy. Just play what the players want to hear. All's fair game during half time as far as I'm concerned.

[UCMarketing]

Hey, if people want to complain about 3rd down calls then music selection can be discussed as well. FYI - the student-athletes are asked to submit songs for the pregame selection, and then those songs are screened for language, etc... We also get a healthy number of suggestions from folks... such as:

1. Stop the rap
2. Stop the hard rock
3. Stop the oldies

It's a chore to put this together and please everyone.

FYI, at the first UC football game I attended in 2006 (Spring Game) the music I heard included the "Theme from the Greatest American Hero" TV show and the "Theme from Dukes of Hazzard". I like Waylon, but not at football games .

Last night's playlist included the following artists:

3 Doors Down
P Diddy
Bob Marley
The Eagles
Led Zeppelin
Martha and the Vandellas
Nickleback
Toby Keith
Petey Pablo
Red Hot Chili Peppers
Chamillionaire
Busta Rhymes
AC/DC
Mercy Drive
Nelly
Young Jeezy
Phil Collins (DeAngelo Smith selection)
Three 6 Mafia
DK Khaled
TI

The selections change from game to game so feel free to send in selections. If they have any obscene language they will not be included. Keep in mind that from the 40 minute mark on the pregame clock and in to the 18 minute mark we go with music for the team. Prior to that we take requests here at Radio Bearcat so send us a note at bearcad@uc.edu and we will take your suggestions under advisement.

As for the sound being loud in section 101 you are sitting next to the stadium speakers. There is not much we can do about that, but last night was the first game with the new system and as such some alterations to the sound patterns will be made based on data gathered last night from reading meters around the stadium. In such an expansive space it is not like adjusting the boom box on the patio - it is a pretty complicated deal with delays for distance, glass buildings bounding sound waves about every which way and the like.

Have a great weekend!

[MikeInClifton]

During the pregame, Everything was too loud coming out of the speakers, Everything. The hard rock especially.

If they have any obscene language they will not be included.

If somehow instrumental versions are obtained and played, that is not a concern. Although I admit instrumentals are harder to find than the standard versions.

I have opinions on what styles/songs/types of music to play, but its not worth it since the topic is 100% subjective.

I hardly noticed the band all evening.

. . . last night was the first game with the new system and as such some alterations to the sound patterns will be made based on data gathered last night from reading meters around the stadium.

Thanks for trying!

I had 50 yard line seats (lucky me) in case seat placement matters in volume levels.

[UCMarketing]

Hey, you know what my kids tell me... if it's too loud, you;re too old. Just kidding as that is what they say to me. Odd. Regardless, things should be better on 9/20.

We do get a healthy does of ideas from what other college and pro teams do. Our team also weighs in. Generally speaking the playlist 40-20 m inutes from kickoff will be rap. Again, at that point it is for the kids, not the fans. Same goes at most places.

[AeroCat]

Concerning the band... if you'd like to complain (politely, please!!) about the halftime music, or if you would like to see the band play edgier rock tunes during halftime, here's some of the band's contact info:

Rockwern Band Center - Suite 2100
University of Cincinnati
Corry Street ML 32
Cincinnati, OH 45221

Phone: 513-556-BAND

Email: information@ucband.uc.edu

Or just visit www.ucband.uc.edu

Direct your comments to Dr. Terry Frenz -- he's a really great guy, and i'm proud to be a band member under his direction, though I agree -- I would LOVE to be playing some hard rock on the field during halftime to pump the fans up. The football team certainly gets the blood pumping... I wish the band did too!