Drumline 2002 quotes

Let’s go!

Sean

If you can’t hang, put your drum in storage and go home. Now move your ass, lift your feet, and you’ll make it to the top.

Y’all can’t wear my colors running like that. Let’s go Uncle Ben! I bet your country ass would run faster if I had one of your grandmama’s hot butter biscuits!

Sean

I guess it ain’t white boy day, is it?

Come on let’s roll, come on tubas, let’s go.

Sean

Come on, boy. That’s why your raggedy ass gets a raggedy drum. Boy you gonna graduate in that white t-shirt, damn!

Dr. Lee

Good morning.

Good morning.

Dr. Lee

Good morning to music. Good morning and welcome to Atlanta A&T University marching band training. The next two weeks will be your introduction and possibly induction into a great marching band legacy. If you are here, it's because you believe in musicianship. If you are here it's because you believe in Coltrane, Miles Davis, Stevie Wonder, and the elements known as Earth, Wind, and Fire. If you are here, it's because you have a fervent, unequivocal belief in teamwork.

Dr. Lee

And if you wish to remain here, you better start believing in being on time. [points at Ernest] You...who's your roommate?

Ernest

Uh, Devon... Miles, sir.

Dr. Lee

Eyes front!

Devon

Hey, what's up, Dr. Lee?

Dr. Lee

It's all good, Mr. Miles, glad to have you here.

Devon

Thank you, sir.

Dr. Lee

Why was he late?

Devon

I, um... guess he overslept.

Dr. Lee

Well, why didn't you wake him?

Devon

I'm not his mother, sir.

Dr. Lee

I asked Mr. Miles why his roommate was late, he says he guesses he overslept. I asked, "Why didn't you wake him?" and he says he is not his mother. Section leaders, what is our concept?

One band, one sound!

Dr. Lee

One band, one sound. When one of us is late, we are all late. When one of us looks or sounds bad, we all look and sound bad. So what's the concept?

One band, one sound.

Dr. Lee

Now I want ten laps from those who are not their roommates' mama.

Dr. Lee

Mr. Miles, I guess you didn't like the required piece as written.

Devon

Naw, I just thought I'd add a little somethin' somethin' on the end. [leaves]

Sean

He can play. We all know that, but his attitude is messed up. Now I put three years into building this line. In chemistry's grading, I don't wanna jeopardize that.

Dr. Lee

Your line seems to think otherwise.

Dr. Lee

What was that? What did we rehearse? Why... do we rehearse? You're out there showboating for five minutes. If I wasn't able to signal a drum major to wrap you up, you'd still be out there beating your damn drum!

Sean

Dr. Lee, sir, maybe there's an explanation. Devon...

Dr. Lee

Do I look like I need you to explain anything to me right now?

Sean

No, sir.

Dr. Lee

I don't know what the beef is, but you better grill it up and eat it. Because it is my ass that is on the line.

President Wagner

Now that is a new beginning. That's exactly what I'm talking about. [shakes Devon's hand] Great job, son. You are something. You are something special.

Devon

Thank you, sir.

President Wagner

Great job, all of you. Now let's see Morris Brown top that! [band cheers] Some alumni wanna speak with you. There they are. Don't keep them waiting. New beginning! NEW BEGINNING!

Dr. Lee

Sean, I want you to polish the drums tonight. And I'd better be able to see myself in the silver.

Sean

Yes sir.

Devon

I left the polisher on the bottom shelf, B.

Dr. Lee

You lied in your application, you lied at the audition where you play the required piece, and you lied to me.

Devon

I didn't think it was that big a deal.

Dr. Lee

Play that. That's the music for next week's game and you can't read it. And as far as I'm concerned, that's a very big deal. I'm enrolling you in an applied percussion course.

Devon

But that gives me five classes!

Dr. Lee

Damn right it gives you five classes, it oughta be ten. Especially if you plan on getting back on the line anytime soon.

Devon

What do you mean, "get back on the line"?

Dr. Lee

I mean now, you're a P4. If you cannot read music, you cannot be on my field.

Devon

But you can't take me off the line, I'm the best drummer you've got! And can't no class teach me how to do me?

Dr. Lee

Excuse me?

Devon

Doing me is what got me down here in the first place.

Dr. Lee

No, lying... is what got you down here. And if you don't have the honor and discipline to learn your craft, then quite frankly Devon, you don't deserve to be here.

President Wagner

Dr. Lee, do you want to explain why Devon is not on the field?

Dr. Lee

No, really.

President Wagner

Well, let me rephrase. I want my boy on the field now.

Dr. Lee

There are some issues preventing that.

President Wagner

No, the only issue, is for you to give me the same show like you did the last game or there won't be a program next year.

Sean

Dr. Lee, got a sec?

Dr. Lee

Sure.

Devon

Hey, what's up, Dr. Lee?

Dr. Lee

Mr. Miles.

Devon

Well, I was wondering - actually we were wondering - if you needed any entrance cadences for the Classic. Not that I'm trying to get back on the line or anything, I just want you to check 'em out.

Dr. Lee

Oh... let me see.
Sean: Alright... the concept was all Devon's.

Devon

Yeah, but my man Sean here had the structure on lock.

Sean

But the snare part, all the sticking... that's the kid.

Dr. Lee

What, you two a couple now?

Devon

You got an old-school feel to it, but sometimes you're gonna have to take it back.

Dr. Lee

It's not a bad idea... not a bad idea at all.

Sean

Dr. Lee... Dr. Lee, just wanted to catch you before rehearsals. I was thinking, that instead of promoting a P2 to replace Devon, we could just keep the snare line at nine.

Dr. Lee

And how long have you been thinking that?

Sean

Just this morning.

Dr. Lee

Are you sure?

Dr. Lee

I thought maybe it was the day you showed us all he couldn't read, or was it the night that he took your solo, I don't know. But since you heard him play, you decided that the line or perhaps maybe, just you, would be better off without him. Remember when I first made you section leader?

Dr. Lee

You were sweating bullets wondering how you could lead this loud, passionate group of your peers. And I said you would be fine. You know why?

Sean

You said I loved the sound of the line more than the sound of my own drum.

Dr. Lee

Yes. And you lost sight of that. And that's okay 'cause we all lose sight of things. But if you don't get it together, Mr. Taylor, you're gonna have a difficult time leading the Senate whether Devon is on it or not.

Sean

I've had it with your no talent, wannabe gangster ass! You wanna prove once and for all that I'm better than you? Strap up!

Devon

Bring it on, big brother tin man!

Sean

Get you sound check.

Devon

Whatever.

Sean

Fake thug little wannabe drummer boy.

Devon

Whatever you big bald headed bourgie my first drum having.

Sean

No method man.

Devon

Yeah, fluff daddy. Say I’m better than you.

Sean

I ain’t trying to hear you.

Devon

You ain’t heard me since I stepped on campus!

Sean

‘Cause I know what you’re about!

Devon

You don’t know shit about me!

Sean

Mini-Me, I need a volunteer to polish the drums for tomorrow.

Devon

Aw, that's a P4's job.

Sean

Now, I'm making it your job. You don't like it? Quit.
[puts a towel on Devon's drum]

Dr. Lee

People say that the band is just a reflection of its director.

Dr. Lee

The radio is off now. It’s time for some real music.

Sean Taylor

We are the heart, and the soul. Without the percussion section, the band doesn’t move, doesn’t come alive. We are the pulse. And without a pulse, you’re dead. That’s why we’re the most important section of this band.

Dr. Lee

We're gonna try something a little different this year. A little of my old school... with a little of your new. Honoring the past, and present at the same time. That's what our new direction is all about... bridging the gap. Our new piece for the B.E.T. Big Southern Classic... was arranged by two of your very own... [looks at Devon and Sean] Mr. Devon Miles, and Mr. Sean Taylor. [band cheers] This piece is very complicated, and is not half as complicated as the formations are gonna be. We don't have any time to waste here people, so as you would say... let's get crunk.

Sean Taylor

You're the best, Devon! But when we're on the field, nobody hears you! They hear the band.