"Pep Band" = Embarrassment

I know I am not the only one who shares this view, because I hear the ridicules from others

around me in Section 123 as well.

The "Pep Band" is a true embarrassment to the entire organization and is not helping in our

quest to become the first class NFL franchise we all want to become. The goofy behavior

exhibited by those members are constantly being laughed at by both the opposing fans that

are obviously making their first trip to Reliant and the hardcore season ticket holders

that have supported this organization from year one. With this new objective for a tougher

image, this "Pep Band" NEEDS to be removed.

As a PSL holder from day one, I have emailed the Texans organization a couple times without

much luck. I am replied with generic messages or that "they are family-fun". I'm all for

making the environment fun for children and families, but if you've ever watched their

behavior, you'd be shocked. Every Houston area high school would be embarrassed to have

them on the sidelines on a Friday night.

I urge ya'll to submit your thoughts on this subject and hopefully we can get something

done. If the Texans are that adamant about how important the "band's" role is, why don't

we move them to the home side and away from me and the other disgusted fans who get bi-

weekly headaches each fall from them around Sec 123?

While I'm on the subject about goofy traditions, how do ya'll feel about the "First Down

Texans" chant after every first down? While I'm pumped about first downs, the need to yell

it is woeful. Let's start getting excited about "TOUCHDOWN TEXANS" like every other

football program in the country!!

While these two things are minor, I feel they could help improve our image dramatically.

Like I already said, I've been in the same seats
from the beginning and have heard the same things from others around me.

[Texans_Chick]

I sit in 123, right behind the pep band, and I love them. They are a great group of people who are avid fans and spend a lot of time just trying to help the team in the way they can. Kids in particular love them.

You get headaches from...the band? And you are suggesting that the Texans need a tougher image? I'm not sure how tough and hardcore you can be if you get headachy and panty wadded up by a band of all things.

The thing that will help the Texans image is winning, not whining about the gameday atmosphere.

What aspects of their behavior are "goofy" and "shocking?" We are adults here, you can share.

JMO. I heart the pep band.

[Vinny]

Originally Posted by 4x4Tahoe

I know I am not the only one who shares this view, because I hear the ridicules from others

around me in Section 123 as well.

The "Pep Band" is a true embarrassment to the entire organization and is not helping in our

quest to become the first class NFL franchise we all want to become. The goofy behavior

exhibited by those members are constantly being laughed at by both the opposing fans that

are obviously making their first trip to Reliant and the hardcore season ticket holders

that have supported this organization from year one. With this new objective for a tougher

image, this "Pep Band" NEEDS to be removed.

As a PSL holder from day one, I have emailed the Texans organization a couple times without

much luck. I am replied with generic messages or that "they are family-fun". I'm all for

making the environment fun for children and families, but if you've ever watched their

behavior, you'd be shocked. Every Houston area high school would be embarrassed to have

them on the sidelines on a Friday night.

I urge ya'll to submit your thoughts on this subject and hopefully we can get something

done. If the Texans are that adamant about how important the "band's" role is, why don't

we move them to the home side and away from me and the other disgusted fans who get bi-

weekly headaches each fall from them around Sec 123?

While I'm on the subject about goofy traditions, how do ya'll feel about the "First Down

Texans" chant after every first down? While I'm pumped about first downs, the need to yell

it is woeful. Let's start getting excited about "TOUCHDOWN TEXANS" like every other

football program in the country!!

While these two things are minor, I feel they could help improve our image dramatically.

Like I already said, I've been in the same seats
from the beginning and have heard the same things from others around me.

lots of the pep band lurk here and/or post here...most of them are big fans....and all of them are grown up adults, but I'm not sure all the posters who post here are sometimes.....not that there is anything wrong with that.

[Texan_Lee]

Just what kind of behavior are you talking about? A majority of us on this BB know several of the band members, and this is the first I have ever heard of anyone complaining about them, or any traditions that we perform at the games.

I, for one, love having a team here, and I will scream and cheer as much as I can for that team, win or lose.

I'm sorry you feel the way you do, but you are the first person that most of us on this board has ever heard make a complaint about the band or any traditions we perform during the games.

Don't get me wrong here, I'm a big Texans fan. I love football and even played collegiately. And like I said, it is minor in the grand scheme of things, but is an issue that could easily be solved by cutting it.

Texans Chick, my panties are not in a wad. Isn't this where we're supposed to discuss this sort of stuff? You're also in 123 and haven't heard the ridicule that they receive???? I'm not one to call someone out as a liar, so are you sure you're not the one in the band- or perhaps deaf?? j/k

Vinny, I couldn't care less if these goofballs read this. Heck, I hope they do.

Texan Lee, what did I say to suggest I didn't love having a team here?? I cheer as loud as anyone else. If you're referring to the "That's Another Texan's First Down" crap, I have never been to a football game that encourages fans to go wild about something that should be so routine. Like I suggested, let's cheer for the IMPORTANT things like TOUCHDOWNS. This is VERY minor though. I shouldn't have even brought it up since my main peeve is the Pep Band.


Here's my problem with this "Pep Band". We are striving (and struggling) to build a winning franchise that is looked at as a first-class organization. To achieve this first-class franchise, we need to BE first-class both on and off the field. Having a bunch of goofy middle aged men acting like buffoons is counterproductive towards that goal. They act like clowns because, well, that's exactly what they are... CLOWNS. Is that they type of tradition we want to be associated with as we build this franchise... a clown tradition? Do you think the Colts have a congregation of clowns on the first row at the RCA Dome? I don't, but feel free to correct me if I'm wrong. We're talking about the "Big Time". "The League". "The NFL". Not some second rate deal. Do we want to synonymous with second-rate? I sure don't. The price I paid for my PSLs/Season Tickets sure isn't "second-rate". Just last night there were a couple of Bears fans right in front of me. I overheard them talking/laughing about our "band" earlier. Later, after the announcement that they were going to play at half time, one of them turns around and asks me something like "Which 2A high school did you guys find them at?"

I'm sure they're great fans and even better people. But tubas, trombones, immaturity, and the rest of the foolishness that accompanies them has absolutely no place in an NFL environment.

My intention is not to start an argument. We're all obviously fans- and everyone is entitled to their own opinions. I am just embarrassed by this foolishness and want us to win and have the most enjoyable experience we can have at the games.... while leaving the Tylenol and Advil at home.

[TexanSam]

Originally Posted by 4x4Tahoe

Here's my problem with this "Pep Band". We are striving (and struggling) to build a winning franchise that is looked at as a first-class organization. To achieve this first-class franchise, we need to BE first-class both on and off the field. Having a bunch of goofy middle aged men acting like buffoons is counterproductive towards that goal. They act like clowns because, well, that's exactly what they are... CLOWNS. Is that they type of tradition we want to be associated with as we build this franchise... a clown tradition? Do you think the Colts have a congregation of clowns on the first row at the RCA Dome? I don't, but feel free to correct me if I'm wrong. We're talking about the "Big Time". "The League". "The NFL". Not some second rate deal. Do we want to synonymous with second-rate? I sure don't. The price I paid for my PSLs/Season Tickets sure isn't "second-rate". Just last night there were a couple of Bears fans right in front of me. I overheard them talking/laughing about our "band" earlier. Later, after the announcement that they were going to play at half time, one of them turns around and asks me something like "Which 2A high school did you guys find them at?".

So is it the fact that they play instruments and music at the games that makes you think they are buffoons or is it some other behavior that you didn't mention? If it's just because they are a band, then I think you make a very weak argument. Having a pep band, IMO, does not make us a 2nd rate organization. The Washington Redskins have a full-fledged marching band. Does the fact that they a band 3 or 4 times the size of the Texans pep band make them a 2nd rate organization? Does the fact that the Seattle Seahawks raise a flag with the #12 signifying that the fans are the 12th man make them a 2nd class organization because that tradition is more in line with college standards than with NFL ones? I think if you took a poll of Texans fans, most would have a favorable view of the pep band.

No, it's the demeanor of the members.

[Vinny]

Originally Posted by 4x4Tahoe

Vinny, I couldn't care less if these goofballs read this. Heck, I hope they do.

that's cool....just discuss this stuff as if real adults are reading it. Respect isn't commanded or demanded...it's given back. Lots of the core fans lurk here.

[Da_General]

Wow, interesting! I am quite curious to read some specific examples of this "clownish"
behavior. Most of what I see down there are fans cheering for their favorite team, maybe taking a breather after working their butts off all morning out in the lots, and generally just having a good time.

Your specific examples would be greatly appreciated. I can personally guarantee that every person in the Pep Band will know exactly what you say about them. Go ahead, LET IT ALL OUT. Don't hold back!

[Texans_Chick]

Originally Posted by 4x4Tahoe

Don't get me wrong here, I'm a big Texans fan. I love football and even played collegiately. And like I said, it is minor in the grand scheme of things, but is an issue that could easily be solved by cutting it.

Texans Chick, my panties are not in a wad. Isn't this where we're supposed to discuss this sort of stuff? You're also in 123 and haven't heard the ridicule that they receive???? I'm not one to call someone out as a liar, so are you sure you're not the one in the band- or perhaps deaf?? j/k

Vinny, I couldn't care less if these goofballs read this. Heck, I hope they do.

Texan Lee, what did I say to suggest I didn't love having a team here?? I cheer as loud as anyone else. If you're referring to the "That's Another Texan's First Down" crap, I have never been to a football game that encourages fans to go wild about something that should be so routine. Like I suggested, let's cheer for the IMPORTANT things like TOUCHDOWNS. This is VERY minor though. I shouldn't have even brought it up since my main peeve is the Pep Band.


Here's my problem with this "Pep Band". We are striving (and struggling) to build a winning franchise that is looked at as a first-class organization. To achieve this first-class franchise, we need to BE first-class both on and off the field. Having a bunch of goofy middle aged men acting like buffoons is counterproductive towards that goal. They act like clowns because, well, that's exactly what they are... CLOWNS. Is that they type of tradition we want to be associated with as we build this franchise... a clown tradition? Do you think the Colts have a congregation of clowns on the first row at the RCA Dome? I don't, but feel free to correct me if I'm wrong. We're talking about the "Big Time". "The League". "The NFL". Not some second rate deal. Do we want to synonymous with second-rate? I sure don't. The price I paid for my PSLs/Season Tickets sure isn't "second-rate". Just last night there were a couple of Bears fans right in front of me. I overheard them talking/laughing about our "band" earlier. Later, after the announcement that they were going to play at half time, one of them turns around and asks me something like "Which 2A high school did you guys find them at?"

I'm sure they're great fans and even better people. But tubas, trombones, immaturity, and the rest of the foolishness that accompanies them has absolutely no place in an NFL environment.

My intention is not to start an argument. We're all obviously fans- and everyone is entitled to their own opinions. I am just embarrassed by this foolishness and want us to win and have the most enjoyable experience we can have at the games.... while leaving the Tylenol and Advil at home.

Yes, I sit in 123. (This last game, I traded my tickets with a buddy so I sat in 106). Usually opposing fans sit right in front of me because those are StubHubbed tickets. They've never said anything ugly about the band. I'm guessing you egg the people around you to say what you feel.

And if opposing fans did say something ugly about the band to me, I'd tell them where to go.

Literally, I sit right behind the band, just a few rows. I asked you to specifically state what sorts of things the band was doing, and you mentioned "immaturity and foolishness and clown-like." That's not specific. I've never seen them do anything that would be embarrassing to the organization. And certainly nothing that would merit writing the team or coming to a message board to talk about your trauma.

And if you can state with specificity what you are talking about, there are band members that post here that would listen to your point of view and maybe try to adjust their behavior. But if you just have some sort of phobia about tubas and trombones, it sounds like this is your sensitivity issue.

I would be double plus mad if the Texans organization got rid of the BPPB--they are great, hardworking fans and ambassadors for the teams in the tailgates, stadium and events.

If it gets you all headachy and sour (really, you must have geriatric standards for what is considered loud), you can always move locations in the stadium. It is easy to do. People do it every day. Then you can sell or swap your ticket with someone who appreciates these hard working people who make the game day experience more fun.

The few times I take my daughter to the games, she loves the BPPB. And if you see them interacting in the tailgates before the game or in the stadium, you can see how happy they make kids. Your post here reminds me of this:

NFL Mascot Has Blog: Talks a Little Junk

As I said, the way to improve the Texans image is to have the team win. Nothing more, nothing less. I still haven't seen anything in what you are talking about that suggests having a team band is second rate, and it just sounds like you dislike seeing the happiness in others.

[Double Barrel]

I'm a season ticket holder since the beginning and I dig the pep band. It is a football GAME. We should never forget the origins of the sport, or the simple fact that it is an entertainment medium. Music is part of that package.

I wish they would mike the band better, though. Going from pre-recorded music to the band is a big dropoff. With the kind of money the franchise has to put on these events, they need to get a sound engineer that understands the concept of miking a live band for a PA system.

And the "Another Texans firstdown" is alright. It keeps the fans in the game, and gives us something to cheer about for the offense (considering that we are supposed to be quiet when the O is on the field).

[Texan Asylum]

Originally Posted by 4x4Tahoe

The "Pep Band" is a true embarrassment to the entire organization and is not helping in our quest to become the first class NFL franchise we all want to become.

Tahoe, the next time you're offended by the Pep Bands antics, I'd go down there personally and introduce yourself as who you are, and perhaps you might be able to express yourself more clearly to them. I would bet money--and I'm not a gambling man by no means--but I'd bet that you will get a response from them that isn't near has "goofy".

Just a thought.

[El Toro Rojo]

I’ve read Texans Talk for a long time and have never posted or even registered but I couldn’t let this thread go. Give it up to the guy who thinks the “pep band” is a joke! He speaks for a large segment of the season ticket holders. Casserly = Capers = Carr = “pep band” = “first down Texans!”. We got rid of the embarrassment in the front office, the boneheads on the sidelines, the quarterback who would rather be skateboarding in California – and now we have GOT to get rid of the bush league game time foolishness that entire braintrust saddled us with. Having a silly second rate goober band is embarrassing. I’m sure they are good folks – nothing personal here, but let’s get real – Dallas, New England, Chicago, Pittsburg and real NFL franchises don’t submit their real football fans to foolish musical hacks providing “pep”. The few minutes the “peppers” gave us at halftime Saturday dragged on longer than the 45 minutes of misery the Clear Lake high band gives us every Friday night in November! And the comments about chanting “first down Texans” were right on the mark too. It’s weak. Why would any sophisticated NFL fan scream this line? Let’s scream for touchdowns, wins, great plays and NFL championships. But “first downs”? Come on folks. What we really need is a bozo who runs out and picks up the kicking tee during kickoffs and roles around the field to the sideline? Oh wait, we did that already last time… Hey, lets yell the last names of the players as they are introduced – oh wait, we already do that (total bush league). Bud Adams has got to be laughing his toupee off!

I read every reply to this guy’s original comments and if anyone wants to know the screenames of the entire peppy band just take a look – what a bunch of band geeks!

Thank goodness I sit on the home side away from the pep band and I’ll be the guy screaming for touchdowns – not first downs.

[Tedc]

When someone post under different names and is only here to bad mouth posters, it is clear that we have a cowboys troll in the midst.

[Vinny]

Originally Posted by Tedc

When someone post under different names and is only here to bad mouth posters, it is clear that we have a cowboys troll in the midst.

dude probably is probably just a plain old fashioned troll posting to stir something up...I disabled large chunks of his account and can only lurk in the tailgate forum for now...frankly, he can only see this forum if he logs out. He can come back in if he can participate without insulting people directly and overtly. I'll enable his account again if he just chills out.....but personally, I think he came in with an agenda...and isn't really interested in "texans talk". It's up to him if he wants back in to this thread...we'll see.

He has a unique IP....don't seem like an old poster/fan. I've been running one Texan board or another for a long time....haven't seen him to my knowledge.

[Mean Machine]

Don't mess with our Bull Pen Band!
We totally love it when the Band comes out to the Blue Lot and plays for the tailagters, talk about gettign you pumped up! On 610 just the other day, somebodyy called in about hearing a local high schools drum corps firing off, getting the blood pumping!
GO BAND!

Also, the "That's another Texans ...FIRST DOWN!" well, we went to Kansas City 3 years ago, and the entire Arrowhead Stadium with the exception of us 4 texans fans did it after every Chiefs first down...very impressive. I hope we get to that point someday soon in the Power House.

[Texan_Lee]

Let me see if I can put this as simple as possible... Football is a game, games were formed to be competative as well as for fun. It doesn't matter what sport it is, and you can be raked the best team in the world, you can still have fun playing the game as well as watching it. Be honest with us, have you ever been to another professional football game (and no, I don't mean Dallas, I said a professional football game)? What you see on TV doesn't reveal the other team's wacky traditions, which most of them do have.

First, I pitty you, as this takes it to a different level of watching a game, it reflects the kind of lifestyle and personality you have. It seems you are the kind of person who has to take everything as serious as it can be. That's no way to live a life... I lost someone dear to me because they took everything to the extreme without relaxing and having fun. If it wasn't for having fun in life, I probably wouldn't live that long myself.

Here's something to think about... if it wasn't for people in the past having any fun in their lives, games would probably have never been invented, which includes football.

Secondly, you made your comment that you don't like the band, and you think they are a bunch of clowns. You noticed the response from the fans on this board in regards to your thoughts... i hope you realize a majority of the people here disagree with you, and the more you try to argue your point, the more negativity there is going to be against you.

My suggestion to you is to just move on, live your life how you see fit, just don't expect a warm fuzzy from the folks on this message board who don't see things as you do. Maybe someday you will experience fun in your life and realize you don't have to take everything so seriously.

God luck, and bye-bye!

[Tedc]

Originally Posted by El Toro Rojo

I’m sure they are good folks – nothing personal here, but let’s get real – Dallas, New England, Chicago, Pittsburg and real NFL franchises don’t submit their real football fans to foolish musical hacks providing “pep”.

Oh, really?

http://www.angelfire.com/fl/TheCard/fight.html

[Runner]

Sometimes I'm embarrassed to be part of this board when posters feel they must hack out a new thread when there is one on the same subject already in existence at the top of the page. It's pretty bush league. I wonder what visitors from other message boards think of such actions.

[Yankee_In_TX]

Maybe this IS the same person that wanted the cheerleaders banned? Because that person on the main board starting creating new screen names to support him or herself, much like this user just did. I still don't understand why you all are replying to him/her - just a troll looking for attention.