"Whatever scene he makes is always for the good of the band," Daly says.

Everett and the band's members have a great mutual affection for each other. He revels with the band's student leaders--joking and telling stories about band history. His eyes lit up when asked about band pranks and practical jokes.

A sense of humor and an "exuberant irreverance" have characterized the group's history, McTigue said.

As Goulet puts it, "We're like the Lampoon, but we're funny."

The big Harvard bass drum, which is the target of many pranks, has been stolen four times in its history, according to Everett. "One time at the Yale game, a group of Yalies got the drum half way across the field while the game was in play before we got it back from them," Everett recalls.

The best drum-napping story by Everett's estimation was in the 70s, when two people showed up at the Band office with American Broadcasting Company (ABC) identification and asked to take pictures of the drum for a "story" they were doing on Harvard.

When the phony reporters said a background like the stadium would be best for the photo, Everett let them load the drum into their van to take down to Soldiers Field accompanied by one of the Band leaders.

After arriving at the stadium, the band leader stepped out of the van to help unload the drum, and the drivers drove off with the drum.