SoundWave Moves North, and We Avoid Murder and Mayhem
By: Laurie | May 6th, 2009If you don’t understand the conflict between SoudWave, Drew Carey’s dream marching band, and supporters groups like the ECS, here’s what I want you to do. Hit “play,” at the same time on both of the following videos. (You may want to turn down the sound on the ECS one for a more accurate representation, because from a pure decibel standpoint, brass and drums tend to trump voices.)
Okay, are we ready? Go!
See the problem?
To their credit, so did the Sounders FO. After much wailing and gnashing of teeth and frustration among all parties, SoundWave will be moving to the North End, below the Hawk’s Nest. Which, for a neutral like me, seems like an adequate compromise.
I love ECS and supporters groups in general, even though I’m entirely the wrong demographic to join up. But as somebody who feels music, I love the band, too. I mean, how can you not love Samba de Janeiro? (The linked video is a Ronaldinho compilation. I could have given you scantily-clad women and the same song, but I was struck by an unusual and somewhat awkward attack of maturity. Sorry.)
The best part of the March to the Match is that it involves both. So over the past few weeks, I’ve been following along as the disagreements between the two sides progressed and thinking, “Damn. I like both sides. How can they both win?”
This might be the answer.
Also, check out the link above, a (not the Samba one, the other one), GoSounders post. Especially read the comments, like this one, which I agree with entirely:
I like the band, but I don’t think they have found their role yet. They provide a great atmosphere for the march to the match, but I don’t think the entire band should play during the run of play. That said, I think ECS failed to take advantage of having the band next to them. We can hear the horns and drums from the band all over the stadium. ECS and the band could have coordinated to start whole-stadium chants and songs using one or two horns or the drums. Other than this, the band should play pre-game, half-time, post-game, and maybe after goals.
More compromises in order? What do you think about all of this?
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Category: Seattle Team News
Tags: Drew Carey, Emerald City Supporters, Marching Band, Seattle Team News, SoundWave, supporters groupsSubscribe
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Comments
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This post just cost me 99 cents. After writing it, I immediately had to go download “Samba de Janeiro.”
Posted from
United States
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ECS tried and was willing to work with band. Many attempts have been made to meet with the band leader, who refused from day 1, well before the season started to have anything to do with us
Posted from
United States -
Anon, that’s what I’ve head/read elsewhere as well. Sad.
Glad the FO found some middle ground, because whether or not I agree with the band director, I still LOVE the music and think it enhances the fan experience, especially pregame.
Posted from
United States -
@anon
I second what anon was saying, we attempted to work with them, but the band refused to bend, they refused to be flexible, and they refused to even talk to us. Not the members but their leadership. The band members are pretty cool.
So before people start dumping on ECS, realize we attempted to work with the band. But we ARE NOT EMPLOYEES of SSFC and we are not CHEERLEADERS, we are just fans.p.s. Laurie are you really headed up to BC for some over the hill soccer action?
Posted from
United States -
Seba, ohhh, I hope so. I just can’t imagine having Zidane this close and not going to see him. My husband’s out of town this week — I need to wait till he gets back to see if it works for him, but I’m really hoping I can get tickets and get up there.
But if not, there’s always the USMNT, which will be fun too.
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United States -
I think the only answer is to have them work together. Clearly they are now both competing with each other towards a common goal. If they could meet up mid week and work on some dueling chants/songs, that could be incredible. I’m thinking along the lines of the UW basketball chants with responses from the band. Going back and forth across the field like dueling pianos could be amazing. Let’s change this from a 1 v 1 foot race into a baton passing relay event. All for one and one for… you get the idea.
Posted from
United States
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