For five years, Bakersfield College had no band of its own at home football games, but now the Pep Band is back.

“Both community and students, people, and the BC community has demonstrated a lot of positive feedback about it,” said Robert Martinez, director of instrumental music. “They’re all happy about it, including myself.”

For most members, it’s about time.

“I’ve been threatening I was going to bring my base drum down there and start getting some action out there,” Richard Orosco said. “I mean ’cause it just seems like a bunch of old folks just sitting there.”

If the Pep Band has its way, the appearance of a retirement home at the games will soon cease to exist, by hopefully sparking new interest from the audience.

“I think it will be good for the overall entertainment value as a spectator sport,” Martinez said. “It will add to the school spirit. We’re hopeful that this will also inspire more students to come because traditionally in the past there have been perhaps more community-oriented people than students. We want to see our student body come and participate. I think it will give a certain energy to the team, you know, to know that that’s there backing them up.”

Bands add to the football games, he said.

“It’s always a morale booster,” Martinez said.

“It’s always a great thing to hear your fight song played by your own school.”

Besides serving as a source of inspiration for the football team, the band also is intended to get students involved.

“We want people to come out and see what’s happening at BC,” Martinez said.

“We want to make sure that the students are aware that the games are not for the newspapers on Sunday morning, but they’re for their entertainment and student morale and spirit on Saturday night, and it is a way to be actively involved and to be part of that because at colleges, when they leave here, they need to take that spirit with them when they go to a four-year institute,” he said.

With approximately 30-35 members, the Pep Band will perform in the stands at each home game during the pre-game show, and at half-time offering combined routines with the cheerleaders.

“The importance of cheerleaders is ranked very high,” Martinez said.

“They are there to inspire a vocal chant, and chanting is a group effort. When you chant, you’re going to make excitement, and you’re telling the team as a whole that the audience is supportive and backing you up.

“Band is supposed to support that, and they will support that.”

Martinez said the music selection will range from the Beach Boys, to Jimi Hendrix, to swing, with old-style heavy metal, British rock, reggae, and at least one Sousa march.

“It is a fun group,” Martinez said. “This band is gonna be a fun band.

“We’re looking forward to the awesome experience of getting back out there and doing some playing.”

For band members like Orosco, the shows mean a chance to flaunt their playing skills.

“I love music,” Orosco said. “Music has been my only expression all my life. Music’s the only way to express. It breaks down all barriers.”

Other members interviewed said they are proud to be a part of the group.

“I’m very proud,” snare drummer Jason Anderson said. “I spent three months of my summer doing this. I love band. I’m a band nerd, OK?”

And being a band nerd means dedication.

“It takes a special kind of person to be a band nerd,” said trombone player Paul Deltoro.