Band of Brothers

 

 I was really looking forward to talking with some one from Band of Brothers and Ryan didnt dissapoint.  The hosts of the Firefighters massed band at the Chicago South Side Irish Parade which Ryan will talk about below.  The event I am really looking forward to attending myself this year and rumor has it I will not be sorry I went…..my liver may be sorry,  but as a whole I will not be disappointed. Next time your at a big event walk up and introduce yourself you can quickly tell where the band is by the spinning bass drum.  I am really looking forward to where this band is heading and the results of their recent membership drive tells me they are going far.  Check out their website, save up your quarters for Chicago, and support this band.

Band Website:  www.bobpd.com

Your Name and Position? Ryan Hornback and I am the Band Manager for the Band of Brothers Pipes and Drums 

How long have you been with the band? April 2005 is when I joined.  I got hired by the Calumet City (IL) Fire Department in February 05 and joined the band right after I got back from the fire academy. 

How long have you been playing?

April 2005 was the first time I ever picked up the bagpipes. 

What made you decide to pick up and start learning the pipes?

I come from a rather large traditional Irish family, so the sound of the pipes has been in the blood for a long time.  I grew up playing the piano and I’ve always had a pretty profound appreciation for music itself, so when I got hired, I knew the opportunity to join the band was there, and I took off with it. 

 Any advice you would give to someone who has just started learning or just joined a band?

 Don’t give up.  Playing the pipes or drums takes the most musically experienced person a long time to pick up, so it can be frustrating.  Patience is golden……. 

Band of Brothers was formed out of, or expanded from the Hammond Indiana Firefighters Local 556 Honor Guard and Pipes and Drums.  Why or how did that change occur?

The band was originally made up solely of members of Hammond, IN Local 556.  When the band itself formed, word pretty quickly spread to surrounding fire departments, and some members of these locals gained an interest in the pipes or drums, and they were allowed to join the band.  Popularity increased and so did the membership, but the by-laws never changed, they still stated that band membership was limited to members of Local 556.  So, when we re-wrote the by-laws, we decided that we should change the name of the organization since we no longer represented just Hammond.  A vote between “Band of Brothers” and “Illiana Firefighters” was put out and “Band of Brothers” won by a landslide.

Was there any growing pains with the new expansion?

Nothing outside of the little things like changing letterheads, business cards, and trying to explain to people that we were still the same group, but just a different name.  Kind of like a Nirvana- Foo Fighters type thing.  

How long has Band of Brothers been around?

Since its inception, the band title was “Hammond Firefighter’s Local #556 Pipes and Drums: A Band of Brothers”, so the name was interchangeable.  Sometimes they would say “Hammond FD Pipes and Drums”, sometimes they would say “Band of Brothers.” This went on up until we decided to “break away” from Hammond Local #556.  The new by-laws and name were officially adopted August, 2007, but we began referring to ourselves solely as the Band Of Brothers after discussion in early 2007. 

 How many members are in the band?

 We currently have 23 members, but we just undertook a huge recruiting effort, and we’re in the process of taking on 50 more members. 

How many different Fire Department are represented in the band?

We represent 9 departments from the Chicago-suburban area and Northwest Indiana. 

Drawing from different departments does any department give you guys any financial support?

We don’t get financial support from any one specific organization.  Everything we do is based on donations, so we get our money from donations for performances and annual donations from either the IAFF locals or the municipalities.   

What was your first public appearance as “Band of Brothers”?

The first official/unofficial appearance was the Country Club Hills (IL) Firefighters Fundraiser in February 2007.  The DJ introduced us as the Band of Brothers but at the time, we were still officially Hammond Local #556 Pipes and Drums.  That was the first time the name “Band of Brothers” was actually used.  

 Do you guys allow civilians in the band?

Maybe.  Our members are all either active or retired IAFF, but we do have “honorary” status for individuals that have a good-standing withdraw from the IAFF due to relocation, career change, etc.  This came about because one of our active members left the Hammond Fire Department and took a job with the local hospital, but he left on good terms.  So, we allow for situations like that, as long as they do not currently pose a conflict with the band’s by-laws.  

Could someone take lessons with your band if they had no experience?

We offer lessons for those that are going to join the band free of charge, but only if they have a vested interest in us.  

Who is your resident band “Wild man”?

The question is, WHO’S NOT!?  I’m pretty convinced that our uniforms should say “Barnum and Bailey,” not Band of Brothers on a number of occasions annually.  I tell ya what, I’ll make a list for you…….  

If by “Wild” you mean: 

- the guy who has the most under-kilt photographs posted on various websites across the nation, his name is Pete Bendinelli from Calumet City. 

- the guy that can place a full pint of Guinness on his drum and not spill a drop throughout an entire performance, whether marching or not, his name is Adam Friday from Gary, IN

 - the guy that can drink AND play a tune on the pipes at the same time, that would be me.  Thanks to Tim Birr from Tualatin Valley, Oregon for those “lessons.” But we once played a gig in a gentlemen’s club (and from what I understand, this is a first), so I think the whole band qualifies after that…….. 

About how many events are you playing a year?

We did about 75 performances in 2007, and I’ve already got 15 requests in 2008. 

The South Side Irish Parade is rapidly approaching one of “THE” places to be for Fire Pipes and Drums.  How did your involvement with this parade come to be?

A guy that used to be in our band is a Chicago firefighter and he works out there on the south side, so he initially got the band set up for this in 2006, and it’s been an annual thing since. 

How much work goes into planning the Parade event every year?

2007 was a lot of work, but things are easier this year, since we developed good relationships with everyone involved with our planning. 

About how many different bands made the journey to the Parade last year? There was quite a lot of representation, and about 85 people played.  The band that traveled the furthest was the Dublin, Ireland Fire Brigade Pipes and Drums.  Those guys were a blast to have here.  Other than that, it was pretty well represented; Boston, Palm Beach County (FL), California, Oregon (Thanks, Tim Birr), St. Louis, Cleveland.  The list goes on…… 

I know that the revelry does not end after the parade is over, where is the place to be post parade?

115 Bourbon Street, hands down.  The place is out of control, I actually can’t even explain it, you’d think I was lying.  You have to see it for yourself.  We’ll be there again this year.

 Is there a Band of Brothers signature song that lets everyone know you guys are on the scene?

Normally, we play Shenandoah, for two reasons.  1- our former Pipe Major liked it, and 2- we’re able to make sure we’re in tune. 

What is the pre-gig drink of choice?

 Anything with alcohol in it and maybe a glass of water. Maybe. 

How can someone support your band? 

We sell t-shirts at the big events we go to, and we do the whole patch exchange thing, but the best way to support us is by buying a round.  That’s always a nice gesture.

 Is there a band you guys like to play (or party) with?

We always enjoy hanging out with Clayton Thomas and the brothers from the Indianapolis Firefighters Emerald Society, and we get to see the gang from Palm Beach County, FL a couple times a year, and they’re always a good time. 

What is your favorite big event or massed band to play? 

FDIC Indianapolis, hands down. Three days of non-stop action. Play, party, play, party, play, party…..  The guys from Indy do a fantastic job setting everything up every year.  I’m getting excited for the ’08 event as I’m typing this…. 

What about your favorite local event?

South Side Irish.  We do the parade and then there’s a huge bar crawl after that.  It’s something to look forward to every year. 

What Tartan do you guys wear?

Morrison Modern.  Green, Blue, and a Red stripe.  It’s a great representation of fire service colors.

Where do you think the what’s under the kilt  fascination comes from?

The unknown…… or in some cases, the “better off not knowing.” 

What are the plans for Band of Brothers in 2008?

2008 is going to be a huge year for the band.  We just did this recruiting, 36 pipers and 14 drummers, not a bad turnout from the 125 fire departments I sent the letter to, hopefully they all stick with it.  We’ve built up enough of a reserve at this point so the band can help fund trips to different events, and we’re getting more and more calls for performances.  I wouldn’t be surprised if we did 100 gigs this year, but you never know.