"We take our music seriously enough that we don't have to march around like that," he said.

Because of controversial half-time performances in the early 1980's (one in particular which addresses the downing by the Soviets of a Korean jetliner) all of Harvard's shows are now reviewed by Dean of Students Archie C. Epps III before performance.

Senior staff members insist, however that Epps is very reasonable and that the band strives for "tasteful" entertainment.

Still, they speak affectionately of "raunch songs" that, according to Hwang, have lyrics that "aren't meant to be printed in papers."

The Band Museum

The band's strong sense of history can be seen in its office filled with memorabilia from its 72-year past. Hwang likes to think of it as "a neoalternative art museum."

Artifacts inside the bandies layer include the biggest tuba in the world, a bass drum named Bertha, as well as pictures of past bands and a number of "borrowed" sings.

Stories of pranks from years ago have passed from generation to generation--including the time in the late 1960's when the band went to New Haven and woke up slumbering Yalies to the sound of Harvard fight songs in the wee hours of the morning.

They were arrested, but had all charges against them dropped when the judge, who happened to be a Harvard graduate, dismissed the case.

"Kidnappings" among band members, group "invasions" of the Yale club of New York, and the throwing of flowers (and occasionally flour) at games are regular occurrences.

Crusties?

A strong tradition in the band has formed a unique bond between present bandies students and alumni. Jokingly known as "crusties," these former members often drop in on the band room, point to pictures or signs on the wall, and tell the stories behind them.

"It's neat to meet a guy who was in the band thirty years ago who sings the same songs as you do, for no apparent reason," said Drill Master Jonathan G.S. Koppell '93.