What happened to Sandstorm?

[18IsTheMan]

Did it not get played during the game at all on Saturday and just at the end? Or was I in such a state of awe that I didn't even hear it? During our 11-win seasons, it was a mainstay in big moments/games. Then I feel like we got to the point where we were using in indiscriminately, after scoring against FCS opponents and such. It should be used in big moments in important games. That said, it should have been playing on a loop Saturday night. A Clemson fan friend of mine lamented to me that he would be hearing "Sandstorm" in his dreams. For all the years we've been inflicted with "Rocky Top" I would have loved to send UT fans home with "Sandstorm" reverbrating in their brains for a few days.

 

[muscleknight]

At the start of the game the UT band was drowning it out. I hate UT but they have a good loud band.

 

[18IsTheMan]

At the start of the game the UT band was drowning it out. I hate UT but they have a good loud band.

Band was drowning out our entire stadium sound system?

 

[GamecockFan106]

I was at the game and I have two comments that hopefully answer the OP's question.

1. Sandstorm was played at least 11 times by my count during Saturday's game (before opening kick, before the 2nd half, after every Gamecock TD except the very last one, and start of the 4th quarter)

2. Tennessee's band wasn't that loud from where I was sitting. I barely heard Rocky Top from my seat (I only recall hearing it twice and not very loud either time). I was surprised how clearly you could hear it when re-watching a little of the game on the DVR. Wonder if it's ESPN's mic placement?

Edit because I miscounted

 

[18IsTheMan]

I was at the game and I have two comments that hopefully answer the OP's question.

1. Sandstorm was played at least 9 times during Saturday's game (before opening kick, before the 2nd half, and after every Gamecock TD except the very last one)

2. Tennessee's band wasn't that loud from where I was sitting. I barely heard Rocky Top from my seat (I only recall hearing it twice and not very loud either time). I was surprised how clearly you could hear it when re-watching a little of the game on the DVR. Wonder if it's ESPN's mic placement?

Yeah, you are right. I went back re-watched the game online and I can hear Sandstorm after our first TD. I did have to listen for it though.

I was watching the game with a friend who is a UT fan and I commented a couple times during the game that I was surprised the crowd wasn't louder. I guess maybe it was just the particular broadcast though. I was comparing it to the A&M game when the crowd was just absolutely bananas and it didn't seem that way in this one, so maybe ESPN filtered the crowd noise out more in this game.

 

[Cocky_11]

Yeah, you are right. I went back re-watched the game online and I can hear Sandstorm after our first TD. I did have to listen for it though.

I was watching the game with a friend who is a UT fan and I commented a couple times during the game that I was surprised the crowd wasn't louder. I guess maybe it was just the particular broadcast though. I was comparing it to the A&M game when the crowd was just absolutely bananas and it didn't seem that way in this one, so maybe ESPN filtered the crowd noise out more in this game.

After rewatching the game, ESPN had the UT band mic’d up bc I couldn’t hear the UT band at all during the game other than them scoring. They did not play over sandstorm as Nessler and Kirk would have you believe. Saturday night was suppose to be all about Tennessee showing the country why they should be in the playoff. ESPN was doing all they could to make that happen. Plan backfired!

 

[Tngamecock]

Band was drowning out our entire stadium sound system?

No. Standstorm was played often and loud. I was there. The band was playing Rocky top. About that time sandstorm was starting. Sandstorm starts out low and reaches a crescendo. Rocky top was louder than the beginning of Sandstorm. Nothing more nothing less. Of course on TV I watched the replay. You all have to understand, and I was in broadcasting so I know, they put microphones strategically around and there was one near the UT band by ESPN. It was overriding sandstorm in the beginning. People make up their own reality these days. But yes for about 20 seconds it was louder.

Cocky 11 nailed it above.

 

[Lurker123]

After rewatching the game, ESPN had the UT band mic’d up bc I couldn’t hear the UT band at all during the game other than them scoring.

This, they were mic'd. And the announcers talked about them drowning out the crowd at the beginning, bit that was it after that.

 

[18IsTheMan]

Good to know. I just remember being able to hear it so prominently back during our big run from '11-'13.

 

[BigJC]

I'm sure I'm in the minority here but I am not a fan of Sandstorm. I think it is a cheesy Euro techno song that makes WB and Carolina fans look small time, like they are trying too hard. That said, I admit to not being a fan of piped in music in stadiums in any way. I don't really even like the 2001 entrance with the piped in music. The band can play during the player entrance and it would be better in my opinion.

Clemson can pretty well do away with their band. All the music they have in the stadium seems to be piped in at ear splitting volume. Schools put loads of money into large bands and put them in the stadiums for the games and then don't let them play. It makes no sense to me.

 

[TopHook]

Why the **** do they mic the band?

 

[Legalsizecock]

I actually sat a section above the UT band, and barely heard Rocky Top once. I would guess ESPN had a microphone near UT's band. We actually were commenting how nice it was to not hear Rocky Top during the game.

Crowd was every bit as amped as TAMU, if not more.

 

[USCBatgirl21]

At the start of the game the UT band was drowning it out. I hate UT but they have a good loud band.

NO they did not. ESPN had a mic in front of their band and amplified it on the broadcast. You could not hear the UT band during Sandstorm. In fact, I never heard them, and I sit right above them.

 

[18IsTheMan]

However, it was for the A&M game is how it should be. The crowd noise was coming through loud and clear on the TV.

Like I said, going back and re-watching the game, I could hear Sandstorm. But, when I was watching it live, it must have gotten lost in everything else so I didn't pick it up.

 

[USCBatgirl21]

I'll be honest. I wish we had our band mic'd up and played over the speakers. If you are not across from them, or near them, you cannot hear them at all. Kind hard to get folks to do some of their cheers if you can't hear the band but in certain areas.

 

[18IsTheMan]

I'm sure I'm in the minority here but I am not a fan of Sandstorm. I think it is a cheesy Euro techno song that makes WB and Carolina fans look small time, like they are trying too hard. That said, I admit to not being a fan of piped in music in stadiums in any way. I don't really even like the 2001 entrance with the piped in music. The band can play during the player entrance and it would be better in my opinion.

Clemson can pretty well do away with their band. All the music they have in the stadium seems to be piped in at ear splitting volume. Schools put loads of money into large bands and put them in the stadiums for the games and then don't let them play. It makes no sense to me.

What convinced me was hearing my friend who is a Clemson friend lament, during our five-peat, about hearing "Sandstorm" in his sleep.

 

[HTCock]

I'll be honest. I wish we had our band mic'd up and played over the speakers. If you are not across from them, or near them, you cannot hear them at all. Kind hard to get folks to do some of their cheers if you can't hear the band but in certain areas.

As a former band member, I agree with you. The band sounds awesome and LOUD if you’re in student section, West, or South. But if you’re in East Upper (where I was Saturday) or even East Lower toward visitor’s band, you hear virtually nothing. I still think our spot from the early ‘90’s (corner of East Lower near South Endzone) was a better location, but especially for dispersing sound throughout W-B (Budget Rental Sign not withstanding).

 

[Uscg1984]

Herbstreit and Fowler commented several times about how loud the place was. Whatever it sounded like on TV, I'm sure it was just a product of the mic placement. I know it sure _looked_ loud every time we scored. I also noted a couple of shots of the student section during Sandstorm and it looked pretty freaking awesome. Nobody does it as well as the Gamecock student section when we're playing well.

 

[Thunderstick]

Speaking of our band, I wish it wore a uniform other than white. When in their seats it looks like their entire section is empty (on TV) when in fact it's not.

 

[KingWard]

At the start of the game the UT band was drowning it out. I hate UT but they have a good loud band.

I don't know how they do it in Columbia. In Knoxville, they use amplification. I've noticed it when I've attended our games up there. @USCBatgirl21

 

[Fried Chicken]

As a former band member, I agree with you. The band sounds awesome and LOUD if you’re in student section, West, or South. But if you’re in East Upper (where I was Saturday) or even East Lower toward visitor’s band, you hear virtually nothing. I still think our spot from the early ‘90’s (corner of East Lower near South Endzone) was a better location, but especially for dispersing sound throughout W-B (Budget Rental Sign not withstanding).

In the Big House, they have the UM band mic’d up so the sound of the band plays over the stadium sound system. Without it, you can barely hear them. Pretty effective except it’s set up for with the PA guy says something it cuts out the mic. You’d need this for 2001. It has to be loud. The crowd is so loud during that that you wouldn’t be able to hear the band, especially the side of the stadium they aren’t facing.

I am also not a huge fan of the Sandstorm thing. It’s kind of a cheesy tradition that doesn’t seem like would translate well over time. Will we play Sandstorm 50 years from now? It reeks of Wake Forest or Vanderbilt to be honest. But I know I am in the minority.

 

[HTCock]

I

In the Big House, they have the UM band mic’d up so the sound of the band plays over the stadium sound system. Without it, you can barely hear them. Pretty effective except it’s set up for with the PA guy says something it cuts out the mic. You’d need this for 2001. It has to be loud. The crowd is so loud during that that you wouldn’t be able to hear the band, especially the side of the stadium they aren’t facing.

I am also not a huge fan of the Sandstorm thing. It’s kind of a cheesy tradition that doesn’t seem like would translate well over time. Will we play Sandstorm 50 years from now? It reeks of Wake Forest or Vanderbilt to be honest. But I know I am in the minority.

Glad to hear Michigan has same problem-and that they mic, since they’re very traditional up there and also have a tremendous band. Wonder if Ohio State does as well? Of course, our band doesn’t play 2001 @ beginning - that’s a recording - but I’m pretty sure they play a really cool version in the stands that has an homage to Strauss’ Alpine Symphony @ end.

 

[18IsTheMan]

Well, this confirms it. Must've been during a tv timeout. Definitely didn't see this during the broadcast I don't think.

 

[USCBatgirl21]

Well, this confirms it. Must've been during a tv timeout. Definitely didn't see this during the broadcast I don't think.

"almost breaks' is a bit of a stretch. I sit below that end of the EU in the club level, and it was fine.

 

[Begonenow]

I was at the game and I have two comments that hopefully answer the OP's question.

1. Sandstorm was played at least 11 times by my count during Saturday's game (before opening kick, before the 2nd half, after every Gamecock TD except the very last one, and start of the 4th quarter)

2. Tennessee's band wasn't that loud from where I was sitting. I barely heard Rocky Top from my seat (I only recall hearing it twice and not very loud either time). I was surprised how clearly you could hear it when re-watching a little of the game on the DVR. Wonder if it's ESPN's mic placement?

Edit because I miscounted

We play it too much. 11 times is way too much, but we did score almost that many TDs.