The Rockets need to change their pregame entrance ceremony. I am really getting tired of the drums. They need to play the Def Leppard song "Rocket" and add some pyro. And get rid of the drums.
Agree - the drums suck. What happened to the song they used to play during starting lineups? They don't play it at all anymore.
The drums aren't the problem, it's the people playing them. They suck, in short. They need to hire some of those guys from New Orleans.
I say bring back the "countdown"...that really got you pumped up..the drums aren't bad and all...but it's just missing something
From New Orleans? More details please. As for the entrances, I don't really like it either... but I think it's more unique than what we used to do (which was cool at the beginning, but now EVERYBODY in the league does it, right?). Besides, the countdown just wouldn't mean the same anymore knowing that it doesn't end with the announcer screaming "Hakeeeem, the Dreeeeeeeeeam, OlAJUwon!"
no it doesn't mean the same anymore, but it would definitly be better than the drum guys. I would really like to see it come back, as well.
What, you guys don't like the drummers Seriously, I respect Tim a lot and think they have definitely started to get the ball rolling in the right direction (in terms of marketing, etc). I don't know how much control he has over in-game marketing, but those guys are very very bad. At teh very least, if the plan is to go with a group of young, energetci guys playing a single instrument, it shouldn't be those drums.
Why don't you tell the Rockets, then? I agree. It's not that great. It was pretty good the first time. Now it's not good. There are a lot of threads on this already. Does anyone communicate with the Rockets' organization regularly?
Wow. Another drummer thread. Help me out here -- are you guys commenting watching the games from the stands or on TV? We've gotten consistently positive feedback from the stands -- and most fans talk about what they do during the game more than they talk about the intro. The drummers leading the "De-Fense" chants or "Go Rockets Go" chants are far more effective than anything than any pre-recorded sound piece or other live band we've had in there. And the players say the drumming gets them pumped up, too, and that's a plus. I did catch the opening of the game on TV last night, though (I was rushing home from the airport and had to stop by the house before going down to the arena), and felt the drummers came across flat on TV. We've already had some discussions about it internally here, and will do some things to remedy that. So ... knowing that most of you here see more games on TV, even home games, than at the arena -- am I starting to understand the issue? Tim McDougall VP of Marketing Houston Rockets and Comets timm@rocketball.com
Personally, I've been to nine or ten games this year in person and am mainly basing my opinion on the intro. It is just bad, in person or not. During the game, they do seem to definitely do a decent job in the upper sections, leading chants, getting people into a frenzy, etc. The sixth man of the game/drum thing isn't that great, although I'm sure it's exciting for the person chosen. In all, my problems with the Big Band is (a) their intros are very bad - doesn't really make me want to get up and scream that much, although I do think the runway lights that the cheerleaders have are kind of cool - the rocket is such an easy idea to make into a cool intro, and the runway lights are a start, the drummers don't help... (b) their whole vibe is more of a 10-15 year old teenage girl kinda of thing, and, while you have to market to everyone, I don't see them being the Rocket's main audience...(c) it doesn't appear that they have much talent - don't get me wrong, they can beat those drums, but, as someone who has never played a drum seriously before, I think I could do it just as well with a weeks practice and given the high ticket and concession prices, I have to wonder how the Rockets have actually hired these fellas. Some random thoughts... As far as timeout entertainment, the free stuff is always a hit with everybody and the new net-hats seem to have gone over well. Turbo still entertains most , and the mini-games with Clutch the Bear are always humorous. Fan dance was better at the beginning of the season but can still be enjoyable (because of the little kids mostly). Halftime entertainment has taken a nosedive this year. Marching band and cheerleading group is now the norm, which I guess is good for the community, but so is that Cuttino shootout, and that is much more enjoyable to watch. Another fun one is when you grab people out of the audience at halftime to shoot a freethrow. Anything involving people in the audience shooting is usually fun. You should bring back the layup / freethrow / 3pointer / halfcourt thing.
I don't know about the intros but the halftime and post game shows have been awesome this year. I love the interviews with the players. Keep it up!
i think the intro is very unique! it keeps us different from the rest of the leauge. c'mon who else has a pregame intro like the rockets? its about originallity and the rockets got it.
I've been to every game but one this season. Personally, I kind of like the drummers. The thing I like about them is that it's unique. I've never seen anyone else do this kind of thing. Now, I think the "attitude" is kindof adolescent, but I think they do a good job of getting people into the game. They get the people to actually get somewhat loud and chanting "De-Fense" and other things like that. Even for the intro I think the drummers are kindof cool. I love when the lights go down and the spotlight goes onto the cheerleader who does a little move, then Turbo and then Clutch. That's pretty cool. The runway lights are okay, but I'm not crazy about them. I wonder if a few other instruments would be a neat addition -- like an electric guitar and a saxophone or something like that. I dunno, I could be alone in that regard though Since there have been a few comments about the other entertainment (halftime, etc.), and Tim is watching this thread, I'll put in my two cents. For half-time, I think there have been good and bad. The "Big Bang" drum thing the other day at halftime sucked IMO. But I have really enjoyed the ClutchCity shootout. I also liked that "Make a Deal" game thing that you all did earlier, although no one took the money (who would). Now, something I noticed at last night's game that I was particularly interested in was the type of fan. I was sitting in the $10 seats, and everyone around me was a completely unknowledgable fan. I don't mean in the way that they are stupid, but in that they didn't really know much about the Rockets or the players on the team. I gagued this just by hearing their conversations. Questions like "Who is Cuttino Mobley?" and "Does Sam Cassell still play for the Rockets?" are representative. Most of these were families, or older couples who were there primarily to see Yao Ming. The ultimate goal would, I suppose, be for these people to become Rocket FANS rather than just people going to watch a basketball game. By doing that, they'll buy more tickets, create more buzz, buy more merchandise, etc. It occurs to me that that the half-time and time-out breaks offer the opportunity to educate the fans about the team. This gives them a sense of "ownership" of the team. For most of the fans here on the BBS, this is OUR team. We know a lot about the Rockets inside and out. If we didn't know that much, we wouldn't be such big fans. In the championship years, the city was like that -- people knew about the Rockets, they knew who the players were, they had a certain "ownership" of the team. I dunno, this may be a bad idea, but I just think that a more knowledgable customer/fan is an enthusiastic repeat customer/fan. It's the same thing as in San Antonio. Spurs fans have as little basketball knowledge as a rock, but they know every player on the team (even the *new* ones) and they just LOVE all of them, even when they lose games they should win, and make dumb mistakes. The other thing that we have seen in EVERY sport here in Houston is people leaving early. When there's 7 minutes left in the fourth quarter, you should stay and watch those seven minutes!!! It's becoming worse and worse IMO. By the end of the game, half of the stadium has emptied. Perhaps having some give-aways or small entertainment afterwards would keep fans in their seats. I always stay for the radio interview -- maybe adding a few giveaways or contests to that would get more fans to stay later and watch that.
My problem with the drummers, is that they often play at the wrong times. Like when we're on OFFENSE! I have been to all but two games this year, I agree that the intro is a little flat. There is no hight poin or low point, just the same repetitive beat, over and over and over. Maybe if the beat would build tom something that would be better. I have even started to skip the intro just because I've become so annoyed with it.
I like the introduction...I think the dance/70's spacy/Jock Jams music that is played in all arenas is tired! Personally, I really like to hear beats in music and hearing the groove that those guys belt out sorta pumps me up. Of course that is just my opinion. As for the in-game drumming and such...I find it (not only at the Compaq Center, but all arenas) to be somewhat of an annoyance. I know they used to never play anything during a game and then (I think) during the Knicks/Pacers series in 93/94, the Indiana sound effects crew kept playing the sounds of those stupid Indy 500 cars whizzing around during the Knicks ball possessions...that seemed to be when somebody decided to crank up the volume on those annoying sounds. A few is OK, but most areans wear those things out. Here's a thought...bring back Ezra Charles...I don't care for his music, but we did win a championship with his band in the endzone. And, finally, here's something from the kid in me...I love it when Clutch jumps on his sled and slides down the stairs...but I would love it a ton more if he had some sort of ramp or something to jump at the end...i.e. a flaming hoop or a row of chairs... Keep the drums!
Are these the same fans that give positive feedback to Les Alexander about how great the uniforms look? The first time I saw the drums I thought that they were pretty cool and original but now it's become very old and annoying. I've seen them at the game and on tv and really don't care for them. Most of the people I've talked to feel the same way. I wouldn't mind if they played during the game though. My personal preferance is a graphical intro like they use to do with a different song.
How about GOOD techno instead of the drums, other dance crap, and 70's. Btw, no one EVER got old of the good Rockets intro song until this year. Every time I hear it (I have it downloaded) it brings me back to the glory days. Ahhh, memories . Maybe Chance can make something up for next year...
Why not hire Timbaland to do some fresh beats? Rockets countdown... That man could do something new and with that. Remember, intro music is just beats and shouts at 100 -120 bpm. Samples, reverse play, electronic sound asterix, etc, enhance a simple creshendo or mounting wave pattern. A vaugely menacing, aggressive sound might be cool to drop on the visitor and hype the team, with increasing squelch stabs as the players come out.. I personally would enjoy dualing djs dropping crossfades on fat beats, x-ecutioners or invzibl scratch picklz style. I'd love to see Q-bert scatch. This also gives the dancers an enhanced dance forum. I would do more with the darkened arena and video projections. Each player should get a quick video highlight with a signature move executed within their role when their name is introduced. This shows the fans (and refs) what to like and cheer for in that player. Yao with the shake, Eddie with a block, Steve with a jam, Mooch clutch shot, Posey steal and jam, Cat with the steal and jam from last night. Etc for other players inserted into lineup. I used to like that huddle dance the Rox did last year, with the bounce step step one way, and bounce step step the other. They did it right after the lineups. That was kind of fun.
Given the popularity of the Yao Ming song, this is an excellent idea. Hire chance to do a new song every year or something like that.
I've been to two games, and the drummers do not belong in the intro. It sounds terrible, it doesn't fit, and I would much rather have a pump up song before Mario blasts out the starters. In fact, they don't have any place in the game at all. You either need better drummers, a different sound for them, or just avoid them period. As of now, they weaken the intro, and feel out place at a sporting event. Turbo is entertaining but he is tired, in the sense after awhile, he's done almost all the stunts he can pull. But nevertheless he should stay. More of him and his "crew" should be used. Clutch the bear is good, concerning he can entertain adults by ragging the other team or the refs, and then playing with little kids. I enjoyed the Cuttino shootout, btw. That was cool during the Utah game. What about a former rockets halftime game. Or after the game? Bring in enough ex players to have a 2 on 2 or 3 on 3 game, and go at it. Especially using Murphy. Or we all know how good Calvin was at free throw shooting, how about him competiting against a local high school or junior high kid, maybe even the one who wins the annual Elks shootout? Also another idea is to link up with a local Chinese restaurant, and for every 100 point home game you get a coupon to that place. (Ming factor) Finally, I was at the shootaround when you market the players Charity sections. Literally both Taylor's and Cuttino's sounded word for word verbatim. And especially considering they were read back to back, that was annoying. But nothing you should really fix, just a personal thing. The rockets are plenty entertaining as they are, and I go to the games to watch basketball period. However, ticket prices explain a lot of why people don't fill up the place. For seats in the rafters, and yes you can still see, tickets are still about 50 a pop. If you want 13 dollar tickets, you get the nosebleed section, and there are a limited number of those I'm sure. Tickets were raised after our two titles, and with the state of the team they need to come down imho. But you guys have a fine product Tim, and these are just suggestions, not bickering, and I think you do a fine job.
