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Sports Goulash

Odds and ends of Wyoming high school sports.

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"Is this football?"

Posted by: Patrick Schmiedt on February 27, 2008 at 1:01PM EST

Thursday, the opening day of the Class 2A-1A Wyoming State High School Basketball Championships, will be a 14-hour day. All 14 will be spent inside Swede Erickson Thunderbird Gymnasium.

And I know what's coming:

2 Unlimited. Click here to see what I mean.

I've got nothing against the fine folks on the Casper hills, but the music selection during state hoops -- both at the Swede and the Casper Events Center -- is entirely too predictable.

It's "The Worst of Jock Jams." Lather, rinse, repeat. And repeat. And repeat. And repeat. And if you're there for 14 hours, it's enough to make you want to drop the people's elbow on that CD player until you break it or it breaks you.

I had the pleasure of listening to "Get Ready for This," along with about 10 other equally horrid songs, about a half-dozen times during the first day of 2A-1A state hoops last year.

(As an aside, my wife and I have this tradition. Every time I hear "Get Ready for This" during a sporting event that I'm covering, I call her. As soon as she picks up the phone, I say, "Is this football?" You'd have to be a big Beavis and Butt-head fan to get the joke. If you want to understand, buy this.)

I know this ain't exactly a high-tech system, and these ain't exactly high-tech sound guys running the show. I'm not going to ask for much. But I will ask for one change:

Please play something that you haven't played before. Please. It's been the same thing every ------ year since 1999.

If I were to make my own state hoops mix CD, it would start something like this:

Track 1: Domination by Pantera. Proven fact: If you listen to this song three times in a row, your head will explode from your sudden rise in blood pressure.

Track 2: Crank That by Soulja Boy Tellem. Overplayed? Of course. So was "Get Ready for This." That didn't stop the Swede or CEC folks before. I'd rather listen to something new and overplayed than old and overplayed. That, and I'm a sucker for steel drums.

Track 3: Brain Stew by Green Day (warning, link contains a tad bit of profanity). Simplest song in the world to play. Also one of the best.

Add your track suggestions below, and let's ditch 2 Unlimited, Rednex, EMF, Gary Glitter and Queen. For good.

Join the resistance and let me know you care! If you're in the CEC or the Swede this week and at any time, you hear 2 Unlimited, stand up and shout, "Is this football?" (Hint, I'm covering the boys' games on Thursday and the boys' semifinals on Friday). At least then I'll know I'm not alone.

Posted by patrick.schmiedt@trib.com

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(21) Comments

Posted by: Burke Binning on February 27, 2008 2:04PM EST

Patrick:

YES!!! Had I known you listened to the Cowboys From Hell, I would've given much more credit in the past.

It's funny you mention the music. I was the "Music Guy" for home basketball games at BHSU my last three years there. All three years were very different.

Year One - Jock Jams over and over and over and . . . well you understand.

Year Two - New coach didn't care what I played, as long as the players liked it; big mistake; way too heavy and loud for the old folks who actually paid to watch the game, but the college kids loved it

Year Three - compromised with old folks and players; warm-up was for the players and the timeouts and halftime were Jock Jams galore

Anyway, here's my playlist (although, if all you played was Metallica and Pantera, I'd be happy):
------------------
Walk - Pantera
Damage, Inc. - Metallica
Powertrip - Monster Magnet
Green Machine - Kyuss
Losing All - Down
Dance of the Dead - Corrosion of Conformity
Evil Eye - Fu Manchu
Forty-Six & Two - Tool
Outshined - Soundgarden
High - Jimmies Chicken Shack (crowd favorite at BHSU games)
Before I Forget - Slipknot

Tip-Off for games could use a number of songs (solid opening for each song):
--------------------
Welcome to the Jungle - Guns 'n' Roses
Thunderstruck - AC/DC
Hells Bells - AC/DC
For Whom the Bell Tolls - Metallica
Disposeable Heroes - Metallica

Posted by: wyofloater on February 27, 2008 2:15PM EST

So you're saying, "We AREN'T the champions . . my friend?"

Posted by: Kevin Williams on February 27, 2008 2:16PM EST

I guess my age has something to do with it. I like the music they play at state much more than the music I hear at home games during the year. The older you get, the more like your parents you become. Mine couldn't figure out why I liked the music I did, just as the music today is a mystery to me. Patrick, you are probably too young to enjoy that music and I can see why it would be tough to listen to for 14 hours. Maybe you need to burn a CD, do the the old quick switch when no one is watching and listen to your favorites. In reality the music that is played at state tournament now is probably a compilation from Gary Brichacek's all time greatest hits list. Take your pillow to sit on and some foam ear plugs for the music and good luck to you!

Posted by: JA on February 27, 2008 2:45PM EST

I myself have always enjoyed a good pep band. Whether it be playing or watching I think that is the way to go. But since there aren't going to be pep bands for every game I think you must have a mix of older rock like AC/DC, Guns and Roses, etc, with new age hip-hop, and rock... Gotta remember that the music is played for the kids warming up, not fans sitting in the stands. Most parents/grandparents can't even hear the music anyways and if they can, they can't understand the lyrics so they just listen to the beat. Plus it keeps the older people in attendance awake. Plus, I don't even know who Gary Brichachek is Kevin and I'm not sure I do;)...

Posted by: Dave Buck on February 27, 2008 2:47PM EST

I was at the Events Center all day Friday and Saturday for the Wyoming State High School Wrestling Championships and the music was pretty good. They played some of the songs on the ditch list, but for the most part it was newer music. I think they used some of the wrestlers' iPods, or at least had iPods hooked up. They only played music during warmups, so there wasn't time to repeat much.

Two songs to add to the ditch list:
-Baha Men "Who let the dogs out"
-Trooper "Raise a little hell" (sorry UW fans)

Could be on the ditch list, but has too good of an opening to be ditched:
Europe "Final Countdown"

Posted by: Bulldog Fan on February 27, 2008 5:09PM EST

Kevin, the age thing has claimed me, too. I really don't recall a problem at Casper, but at Douglas they had the music so loud that you couldn't visit during warmups. Even factoring in that age thing, I don't mind what they play as long as they don't blow me out of the room. And "Who let the dogs out" is one of OUR favorites.

Posted by: Dylan E. on February 27, 2008 5:43PM EST

Raise a little hell is like an anthem to Wyoming, there's no way your could put that on the ditch list, and I would love to hear it at state games, possibly even a little more at UW games

Posted by: Billygoat2020 on February 27, 2008 7:25PM EST

Here are a few of my personal favorites to warm-up to.

Powerman 5000 - "An Eye is Upon You" followed directly by "When Worlds Collide" (same band)
--Disturbed - I'm alive and The Game
--RaTT - 'Lay it Down" (for all you 80's rock fans)
--Baby Huey - "Pop, Lock And Drop it" (especially fitting for Basketball)
--Creed - "Are You Ready?"
--Dead or Alive - "You Spin Me Round (Updated Wedding Singer Mix) another great 80's song
--Devildriver - "Fury of Our Makers Hand"
--Orgy - "Blue Monday"
--KORN - "Twisted Transistor"
--Van Halen - "Panama", "You Really got me" (Van Halen - can't go wrong!!)
--Trapt - "Headstrong", "The Game"
--Thousand Foot Krutch - "Move"
--System of a Down - "Attack"
--OZZY - 'Crazy Train" (c'mon ITS OZZY!!!)
--Offspring - "Come out and Play"
--AC/DC - "This Means War", "For Those About To Rock", and 'Thunderstruck"

Posted by: Xcskier on February 27, 2008 8:25PM EST

Ironic I was about to add headstrong as one to get rid of.
I'm fan of AC/DC as a warm up but that's just me
"Renegades of Funk" by Rage against the Machine is a good one too

Posted by: Cory on February 27, 2008 10:10PM EST

What a great topic Patrick. I get real tired of hearing the same old music endlessly too.
a few others for the playlist include Bodies by Drowning Pool, Lose Yourself by Eminem, Mother by Danzig, Thunder Kiss '65 by White Zombie, Down with the Sickness by Disturbed and ANY Godsmack tunes.
Maybe some of the people in charge will read this and raid their teenagers music collections.
on a different note lets be a bit forgiving of the refs for a moment. They're going to be trying their best just like the kids and will make a few mistakes over the next several days. Remember, incidental contact and rough play are two different things and there's supposed to be a little bit of physical play when the stakes are highest. If these teams weren't tough they'd be done already.

Posted by: Kevin Williams on February 28, 2008 2:31PM EST

For those of you you who don't know SOB (Sweet Old Brichacek), he was the original tournament director when the state wrestling and basketball tournaments first started coming to Casper. He is even older than I am and living in Mesquite playing golf every day. Do I sound envious? At times I am. After reading the other blogs, I may not be as old as I think, as I have AC/DC and Guns-n-Roses on my I Tunes. However, it is hard to beat a pep band playing the Budweiser song with a full brass and percussion compliment.

Posted by: JA on February 28, 2008 3:16PM EST

Was this Brichacek fella a Dr. Emmett Brown(Christopher Loyds character in the Back to the Futures) look-a-like???

Posted by: BW on February 28, 2008 4:15PM EST

Kevin-The only tune to warm up to is a little _ _ _ _ butter rap. It's the best. See you at state. That's M. Ibach's favorite. He has 5 different versions of it.

Posted by: elg on February 29, 2008 11:33AM EST

actually Harry Geldien was the original tournament director...though Brichacek took it to new organizational heights

Posted by: Chris on February 29, 2008 9:47PM EST

Great topic, Patrick! I do the music & announce our football games, & try to make all happy (Baba O'reilly-the Who, Pride & Joy-SRV, Heroes-Bowie,I Want it All-Queen, Lets Go Crazy-Prince, Kickstart My Heart-the Crue, Don't Stop Believing-Journey, Rockstar-Nickelback & Are You Going to be my Girl) Course if I had my druthers, it would comprise mostly of Zeppelin, DMB, Big Head Todd & Pavarotti! My point is; Jock Jams Blows!! I also would like to play Lose Yourself-but the adm. freaks out-thinks it's too controversial. I don't think there is anything risky about the song though, just perhaps the artist. Oh well!! Last but not least, of course the fan favorite here in Newc. city is "Rawhide"! Go Dogies!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: bandman on March 1, 2008 12:13AM EST

I say no more cds at state or regional tournament. Every school that makes it should have to bring their school band to supply music for their warm-up. The cd's are a nice substitute but nothing beats hearing the band playing Crazy Train by Ozzy. Go Bison!

Posted by: Roy on March 2, 2008 12:37AM EST

I'm with Pat on the tunes at state. They are tired and need to be retired. I am nearly on top of "that hill" and did all the music for our home games this year. As a former radio guy I have the resources and technical knowledge, and I found it incredibly easy to find new and old stuff that everyone can handle and enjoy. I made a new mix for every game. Here is just a sampling of some of my favorite stuff that we used this season.
1. In Flames - "Cloud Connected"
2. Decyfer Down - "Fight Like This"
3. Pillar - "Bring Me Down"
4. Drowning Pool - "Tear Away"
5. Silvertide - "Ain't Coming Home"
6. Chamillionaire - The Evening News"
7. Ozzy - "I Don't Wanna Stop" and "Black Rain"

and for the old farts

8. Megadeth "Angry Again" and "Almost Honest"
9. Metallica (pick one)
10. Van Halen (pick one w/ Diamond Dave)
11. Ratt - "Round and Round"
12. Toadies - "Possum Kingdom"
13. Beastie Boys - "Hey Ladies"
14. Living Colour - "Cult of Personality"
15. AC/DC - "Fly on the Wall" and "Dirty Deeds"
16. Quiet Riot - "Wild and the Young" (great intro)
17. Faster Pussycat - "Babylon"
18. Def Leppard - "Are You Excitable"
19. Aldo Nova - "Fantasy"
20. Kool Moe Dee - "I Go to Work"
Plus many more. There are so many good tunes out there from now and the past it is just sad that we have to listen to the same painful drivel from time eternal. I know how tough it is to find new stuff without the explicit lyrics. But anyone with half a brain and free software from the internet can edit their own stuff so as not to tick off the innocent ears of the listener.
As far as a ditch list (some aren't going to like this, but....)
1. Ozzy - Crazy Train ( I love the guy, but this song is more over worked than a cat covering up crap on a marble floor)
2. Baha Men - "Dogs..."
3. Europe - "Final Countdown"
4. Survivor - "Eye of the Tiger"
5. Any pep band playing any movie theme! Whatever happened to "PEP" music.
Anyway, the only good thing about the music at state this year is that I am unable to attend (frickin' job) and don't have to listen to it. Good luck to all teams over the weekend. May you all have fun and stay healthy!

Posted by: Patrick Schmiedt on March 2, 2008 2:11AM EST

By the way, music was better this weekend than I expected -- not once did I hear 2 Unlimited. Good stuff.
And a live pep band is better than any sound system. That's one of the best things about state hoops is the pep bands.
--patrick

Posted by: i love bball on March 2, 2008 9:38PM EST

i think they should play
-when the bullet hits the bone by the golden earings

Posted by: C. Anderson on March 3, 2008 12:43AM EST

You can't have warm up music and not include "Money for Nothing" by Dire Straits, and a bunch of ZZ Top. Right BW?

Posted by: Kevin Williams on March 3, 2008 1:57PM EST

I do apologize for not giving the late Harry Geldien the credit for directing the first state tournaments in Casper. I just remember SOB running ideas about trying to improve the events by anyone who would listen and offer an opinion. They are all special in their own way and that what makes each of them unique. I always try to attend as many as possible because of that.