I guess that would work [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tbIEwIwYz-c"]New Kids On The Block - You Got It (The Right Stuff) - YouTube[/ame]
If anything, it will bring a fresh and unique atmosphere to our games, that's a good thing in a sportsworld full of canned music
Yeah, I'm not against the idea of trying it out anyway. It could be fun, effective and unique; where everyone else is still yelling "YSA!" Using this at certain times comes to mind [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_mK0nrrsbI"]wa waaa waaaa - YouTube[/ame]
Thought I'd share with you the BSG's response to the band proposal, which we sent to the Rapids in January. Since then I can confirm that the Rapids have told us (in a meeting with all the SG leaders present) that the band would not play during the game, except perhaps for the 30 seconds immediately after a Rapids goal. I and most other BSG people I've spoken to wish this wasn't happening, but we are reasonably happy that the Rapids have agreed to the 'compromise' we suggested in our text. * * * The BSG has recently been asked for feedback on a proposal by a KSE donor to buy at least 50 season tickets in Section 136 in the NW corner of the stadium. The plan as we understand it would be to distribute these tickets on a game-by-game basis to local high school bands. The possibility of organized collaboration with the terrace supporters groups on songs and chants has been suggested. The BSG's stance on this matter is that we do not want to the Rapids to do anything during the game that prevents the further development of an authentic soccer supporter driven experience in Colorado. This includes such typically 'American' things such as cheerleaders, pre-arranged chant times, mascots leading chants and instructions on the big screen. Soccer offers something a little different to the American sports fan and there are plenty of other sporting events that offer a completely passive experience for the spectator. While we understand that the offer of upwards of 50 season tickets presents a significant financial benefit for the Rapids, we would like the following points to be taken into account: - We are concerned that the bands being located being Section 136 will mean that they are placed higher than the fans in the terrace. Experience from the Portland home game last year showed that man for man, fans sitting higher can sound louder than fans in the terraces, who are essentially at field level. This problem is made worse with the terraces having no roof. - Despite various attempts, the BSG and the Pid Army have found it extremely difficult to co-ordinate chants due to the divide between them, while making sure that the capos (chant leaders) can influence all the fans on their respective sides of the terraces. The band would add a third dimension to this challenging situation. - We are understand that the high school bands would vary from game to game. We are concerned that, given the challenges outlined in the point above, we will be dealing with different band leaders every game and will be effectively be starting again each time with the working relationship. - We are well aware of a situation in UK where a band is seen regularly at Sheffield Wednesday and England games. However the differences to what is proposed are 1) the band is much smaller, 10 people at the most and 2) the band takes a position at the top of the supporters section and is fully integrated with the fans, following their chants as necessary. The equivalent arrangement at the Rapids would see the band being located in the terraces. - Despite caring deeply about what goes on during the game, supporters are very relaxed on the issue of pre-match and half-time entertainment. Many prefer to spend the time getting a drink from one of the stadium bars, chatting with friends or preparing cheering items for the upcoming half. We would not be opposed to a high school band playing during these times. - We see no reason why the supporters march into the stadium could not have band involvement and would be happy to co-ordinate and arrange as necessary. - The band could possibly lead the song when the teams run out onto the field before both halves. 'Glory Glory Colorado' is one suggestion for this as there is no suitable audio track that can be played over the stadium sound system. To sum up, we are happy for a band to take a lead during the pre-game and half time periods and will do whatever we can to assist. However we are hampering the growth of the true supporters experience if they are involved when the game is being played. We continue to urge the Rapids to look to other MLS clubs such as Portland and Seattle who have developed large passionate fanbases as evidence of what can be achieved by making the correct decisions as regards to soccer supporters culture in the USA. As we assume that turning down the donor’s offer is out of the question, we look forward to further dialogue with the Rapids on this subject and hope we can all come up with an arrangement that accommodates the band and the supporters without significant detriment to one or both groups.
Jesus. Most Americans come to watch and respond to action on the field, and I guess by your standards are completely passive. What's the difference between these people being led to cheer by supporters' antics vs. mascots' antics?
(Bold added by me) Uhhh, I'm sorry.....did DSGP get transported to some European country during the offseason? Because I thought this is an AMERICAN organization in an AMERICAN city. Gosh, sure wouldn't want anything AMERICAN going on there.
I’ve been reading this thread with interest and here is just an opinion from outside any of the SG’s.. Firstly this is a seriously stupid thread, it should never have been necessary. More importantly though, the Supporters Groups are to my mind the single most important reason why the atmosphere at DSGP has improved over the years, the Class VI booing of the opposing Right Back is hilarious and extremely clever and effective; the Terrace people always amaze me with their energy, passion and enthusiasm. The SG’s are the Rapids FO most valuable asset in overcoming the apathy that is shown throughout this City, they are the ones wearing Rapids shirts, hats, scarves and goodness knows what else during the season, and off season, around the bars and pubs of Denver and they are the only ones I see actively encouraging people to come to games and being active in the local community. The Rapids FO has to stop landing ill considered or at least ill thought through concepts on the three groups, a much more collaborative approach needs to be taken. Without doubt the SG’s will always ask for more than the club can give, that is the nature of the beast but, but the RFO have to consult before these things are done rather than deal with the consequences of these decisions after the fact. If anyone from the FO reads these boards then please wake up and realize that the SG are your most valuable marketing tool, use them wisely and please start respecting their opinions. I don’t want to go to DSGP to listen to a bunch of Soccer Mom’s clapping at the wrong time and frowning when people swear at a very passionate game or a bunch of kids playing out of tune trumpets.
First, let me remind you guys that the qualification is 'during the game'. Quite frankly, the Rapids can do whatever they like during pregame and half time, we supporters have our own schedule of stuff we do during those times anyway (e.g. supporters march). There is a huge diference between mascots leading the chants and supporters leading them. One is a paid club official and the other is you me & everyone else who pays to get into DSG park. It gives the customers a big stake in the whole experience of going to a game at DSG Park.
It seems to me that the SG's are just trying to recreate the English "Soccer Hooligans" era that does not even currently exist this day in the UK. The F U, A O chant on goalie kicks need to go, it is just stupid. Like it or not, family's are part of American soccer stadiums. Looks like you all are on top of this with the thread where several alternatives/ replacements were discussed. I was talking to Terry Cooke and others before KC playoff game last year and it was brought up how all over Europe entire stadiums can be on same chant but we have 2-3 different ones going on. It reflects very poorly I think on said SG's. However, I think every year our SG's get a little better and your TIFO is outstanding given your numbers.
None of the SGs are trying to recreate the English Soccer hooligans era. It is quite apparent that the SG activites & vibe are completely different to those portrayed in films such as Green Street & the Football Factory (and yes, having been brought up in England I am well aware of a few of the inaccuracies in those films). The MLS draws it's supporter influences from Latin America, practices in the major American professional & college sports leagues and how the game is currently supported in Europe. This should not be construed as promoting hooliganism in any way. What we are also trying to do is work with the Rapids to remove the barriers to growing our particular style of watching the Rapids that exist. These include the facilities in & layout of the terrace and dealing with stuff like the band idea. The stadium is easily big enough for supporters, families and high school kids. However the difference is that the supporters are the only group who are still have to deal with the these barriers, despite the fact it has been proven around the league that we are a key part of a successful MLS club's fanbase. The YSA chant on goalkicks was eliminated in the terraces during 2011, although we do have to stay on the watch for it starting up again. It was a special case as the 'AO' word came over so loud and clear, much more prominantly than the version done at Britsh football grounds.
People seem to confuse "hooligans" and those who wish to display "ultra" support. They are not the same and no one I know is trolling down Colfax looking to beat up cops or away team supporters. We may have fun with it on Facebook and silly things like #rapidsthuglife, but to think we're wanting to recreate hooliganism is a misunderstanding. As for the band, no, I am not happy about them being there It's really their location, not the fact that they're there. If they were 7-8 sections down away from the terraces, then that would be ideal. That way they could do their thing, get the sections around them into it (i guess?), and Class VI can still rock it and the terraces can do their thing without a tuba in their faces.
All I know is the terrace is a diverse sing a long, show your pride for Colorado, bring your old countries swag to the plate and make it mash with the US culture. Keep it fresh, drop the Hamiltons, and make your game day expirience a dream world of magic.
Even though it has been known that this is for sure happening, it didn't hit home until this morning when I was trying to find out single game ticket prices and found that when you select north corners, only the north east corner shows up as available. I just don't see this ending well.
Not officially. The SGs were advised that there would be no band for the LA game. Let's just say we won't exactly be upset if it has gone away for good!
As far as I'm concerned it has. It's been MIA at every home game since. We could stand to deal with one-less dumb idea from Hinchey.
Since people brought it up in the Oscar thread and since they have been back for the last two home games, I decided to be a thread witch and bring this guy back around. I think they are detracting from the atmosphere. It was especially annoying during the RSL game since they were only two sections away from Class VI. I couldn't hear them as much against Chivas, but every once in a while I heard them and all I could think was "Why?"
******** THE BAND... they broke a promise... they werent supposed to play during the match and they did... i have an issue with that
I never heard The Band make any promise. If someone broke one, it was the Rapids FO. Let's not bus toss the band.
werent the supporters informed that the bands would only perform pregame and halftime? thats a problem with both... and why the hell arent they in the same spot every game?
Did The Band inform the supporters of this, or did the FO inform the supporters of this? It matters in relation to who the promise breaker is. We need to ferret that bastard out.
