10 bands I’ve seen (one is a lie)

Warning! Here be the answers! Spoilers ahead!

Don’t say I didn’t warn you. Here’s the explanation of the bands I listed, including why I chose the “lie.”

1. Evansville North Green Brigade

One would think that since I was a Band Geek in the Evansville area that I have seen all of the area high school bands at one point or another. I can tell you for a fact, though, that I have not seen all of the Tri-State area’s high school bands perform live. I’ve certainly seen a lot of them. But not all. I haven’t even seen all of the Evansville bands.

The Green Brigade, however, is an Evansville band I’ve seen on many occasions. We performed at several contests together. You might have called us rivals. I don’t think we really considered ourselves rivals with North. That was reserved for other bands like Reitz. Granted, we really weren’t on Reitz’s level most years. But that’s OK. We’ll still call it a rivalry. Got it?

2. Harrison Warrior Command

Uh….

This was my high school. This was my band. We didn’t call ourselves the Command at the time (we were the “Marching Warriors”), but it’s still my band. I’ve watched this band from the field (as a performer). I’ve watched this band from the bleachers. I bleed Red, Black, and White.

“We are the Warriors and the Warriors are great!”

3. Madison Scouts

As the only dci representative on this list, I thought this one might trip up someone…anyone. But, alas, it did not. Yes’ I’ve seen the Madison Scouts perform. They were in a parade. And they were awesome. They blew all of the high school bands – even the really good high school bands – completely out of the water.

I should have included another band like the Cavaliers. Or the Bluecoats. That would have done the trick. My facebook friends are too smart, I guess.

4. Castle

The biggest, most successful band in the Evansville area. Everyone looked up to Castle. And yes, we were kind of jealous of Castle, too. I had too many friends who went to school at Castle so I could never really hate them. I think it’s safe to say that I had a love-hate relationship with them, even it if wasn’t reciprocal.

Yes, I’ve seen Castle perform many, many times. In hindsight, I wish I had seen them perform at the 2016 State Finals. I heard it was amazing, even though the night ended in heartbreak for the entire marching band community.

5. Ben Davis

I saw them at Regionals. I saw them at State. Honestly? I hated them. A lot of us did. We were convinced that they won everything simply because they were big. I mean, they are the Giants, after all.

I’m still not a fan of Ben Davis. I’ve gotten over most of the other high school rivalries, but Ben Davis? Not so much. I’d prefer to watch them lose everything all the time.

OK. That’s not exactly true. Their Band Boosters made a tremendous gesture in the wake of the Castle tragedy. They donated the money raised at one of their Chick-fil-a fundraisers to the Rinehart family. So they’re not all bad, I guess.

I still enjoy watching their athletic teams lose. It’s nothing personal.

6. Indiana University Marching Hundred

Saw them when I took Aiden to watch the Hoosiers play Navy.

Fun times.

7. The Marching Pride of Lawrence Township

I’ve seen Lawrence North perform. I’ve seen Lawrence Central perform. But as one combined super band? Nope. I haven’t seen them. I was hoping this would trip up someone, since I used to live in Lawrence. But several people saw through my ruse right away.

8. Cowan Blackhawk Brigade

They were practically in my backyard when we lived in Cowan. I heard them every night during the first Summer we lived there. It was music to my ears. No pun intended.

9. Center Grove Trojan Band

My son plays football for Center Grove. I go to the Friday night games. I’ve seen them perform. A lot.

10. The Pride of Paoli

I honestly don’t remember anything about their performance. I saw them at State sometime in the 1990s. That’s all I can tell you.

In fact, I’m not sure why I chose the Pride of Paoli instead of the Anderson Highland Marching Highlanders. Every time I hear the theme song from Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, I hear and see parts of their performance in my mind’s eye and ear. They had bagpipes. Bagpipes! And I’m pretty sure they marched in kilts.

The bagpipes were so cool. I loved them. They didn’t fare very well at State, however. Apparently bagpipes are hard to keep in tune and State judges dinged them for that.  I still thought they were pretty cool. I didn’t care much about their intonation.

What does that have to do with Paoli? Not much, I’m afraid.

There you have it.

That’s my 10 bands, with really long explanations. Did you guess the lie? I wish I had something to give you. But I really don’t.

Except maybe a drum major salute or two.