Bulls' own drumline gets fans revved up for games
A group of former Prospect High School students who played percussion in the band now march to the beat of a different drummer: the Chicago Bulls Stampede Drumline.
Billy and Brian Spicer of Arlington Heights and Ted Morris and Kevin Gier, both of Mount Prospect, all honed their drumming skills in The Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps after Prospect and before playing in their college marching bands.
Last fall, they went from drumming in a similar group that plays at all of the Chicago Bears' home games to forming the Stampede for the Chicago Bulls, which will roll through 14 home games this year.
"I have to say, it's a thrilling experience," says Billy Spicer, who also played in the drumline at the University of Kentucky. "You can't ask for a better environment than to perform before more than 22,000 fans."
Despite their record, the Bulls are in the midst of a consecutive sell-out streak, Spicer says. Consequently, the drumline is feeding off of the fans' energy.
"It's all about performing high-octane, fast-paced drumming for Bulls fans," Spicer says.
The group plays in the concourse level to entertain fans as they enter, and sometimes as a post-victory concert, as well. Their show on the court involves fast-paced movement around the court while playing advanced, rudimental drumming that involves precise stick work.
Last month, the group competed in a "drum battle" with the Detroit Pistons drumline when the two teams played each other at the United Center in Chicago.
The scene was like something out of the 2002 movie "Drumline," in which two rival units competed with their high sticking drumming routines.
"The two ensembles electrified the United Center," says Scott Idle, Stampede director. "Both groups truly put on an amazing spectacle that the crowd thoroughly enjoyed."
Both teams enjoyed it as well. So much so, the Stampede will travel to Detroit March 9 when the Bulls play the Pistons for a rematch and a combined ensemble show.
In addition, the drumline is drawing international invitations. On March 23, they have been invited to perform at the Turkey Basketball League's Beko All-Star game in Istanbul.
Beyond the local members, Idle says the group as a whole brings impressive credentials to the court.
Of their 29 members, 18 marched in Drum Corps International units and accumulated 11 world championships. Additionally, he adds, 21 of the members performed with the Marching Illini and the Michigan State University marching bands.