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Drumline Quotes

“Charles: [a car horn makes three long blasts to indicate that Ernest is a P3] Who’s that?

Jason: That’s the upper-class men. They flash their lights to say what rank they think we should get. Hey Charles, what’s up with your socks?

Charles: Don’t worry about my socks, man, it’s a tuba thang shorty.

Jason: Better be.”
— Charles, Drumline
Tagged: Socks, upper class
“Charles: Man, it won’t be the same without you.

Devon: It’s all about the tubas now.

Charles: What do you mean? It’s always been about the tubas, shorty.

Jason: Well, you know how Dr. Lee is about time.

Devon: Yeah.

[in Dr. Lee’s voice]

Devon: ‘You’re on time if you’re five minutes early; you’re late if you’re on time.’

Charles: Look, Friday night, in my living room, be there, all right?”
— Charles, Drumline
Tagged: tubas, Punctuality
“It all started 40 years ago with two Atlanta bands, Atlanta A&T and Morris Brown College, putting on a small competition to raise money to purchase uniforms. A humble beginning with what has grown into a bandaholic’s dream weekend here at Georgia. Today’s B.E.T. Classic brings in over 50,000 fans to the Georgia Dome and an even bigger television audience. Over the years the competition has become slicker and much more glitzy. With reigning champion Morris Brown, you know what to expect. Five of the south’s best competing for top honors, $50,000, and a year’s worth of bragging rights.”
— FOX Sports Announcer, Drumline
Tagged: drum band, Old School
“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.”
— Dr. Lee, Drumline
Tagged: drum band, Old School
“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: [hands some sheet music to Devon] Play that.

[sits down]

Dr. Lee: 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.

[compiles some paper and puts it back in his drawer]

Dr. Lee: 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.”
— Dr. Lee, Drumline
Tagged: drum band, lying, Discipline
“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.”
— Dr. Lee, Drumline
Tagged: drum band, pressure
“Buck Wild: If you’re up for marching band training, gather ‘round. Take a good look at this man. This black Adonis is known as God’s gift, A.K.A. Double G. You will know him and call him such from this day forward. I’m Buck Wild. We are your drum majors. Starting tomorrow, white T-shirts at all times. It’ll help us identify you as a crab who knows absolutely nothing. Maybe you’ll one day have the honor and privilege to wear the school colors. But for now, you’re as blank as the white T-shirts you’ll be wearing. Understand?

The Band: Yes, sir.

Buck Wild: UNDERSTAND?

The Band: YES, SIR!

Buck Wild: Get up to your dorms. Get well-acquainted with the rulebook. Dinner is at 6 o’clock in the cafeteria. And after that is night-night. You’re dismissed!

Devon: Man, I ain’t trying to have no curfew. But I know this spot where the girls are supposed to be banging. Y’all dance?

Ernest: Yeah!”
— Dr. Lee, Drumline
Tagged: Adonis, dorms, rulebook, cafeteria
“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? [Sean nods his head yes] 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?

[Sean nods his head yes]

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.”
— Dr. Lee, Drumline
Tagged: musicianship, drum band
“Dr. Lee: Devon.

Devon: Yes, sir.

Dr. Lee: You wanna give ‘em a little taste of what they’re gonna get on next season? [Devon gets excited] That is if it’s okay with your section leader.

[Devon looks at Sean]

Sean: Mini-Me, I knew you couldn’t stay away!

[shakes hands with Devon]”
— Dr. Lee, Drumline
Tagged: musicianship, mini-me
“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]

Dr. Lee: Mr. Devon Miles, and Mr. Sean Taylor.

[band cheers]

Dr. Lee: 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 crunkin’.”
— Dr. Lee, Drumline
Tagged: Hip-Hop, musicianship
“Aah, the musicianship of hip-hop.”
— Dr. Lee, Drumline
Tagged: Hip-Hop, musicianship
“Hit ’em with a little ‘Flight Of The Bumblebee!’”
— Dr. Lee, Drumline
Tagged: flight of the bumblebee
“Dr. Lee: Alright A&T, check up. [the band gathers] OK...the radio is off now. It’s time for some real music. When you get out there today, I only want you to do one thing...and that is enjoy playing with your bandmates. So what’s the con...

The Band: ONE BAND, ONE SOUND!

Dr. Lee: All right. It’s showtime!”
— Dr. Lee, Drumline
Tagged: radio, bandmates, Showtime
“Dr. Lee: What was that? Why do 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 back 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 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]

President Wagner: 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]

President Wagner: 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 surface.

Sean: Yes, sir.

Devon: I left the polisher on the bottom shelf.”
— Dr. Lee, Drumline
Tagged: alumni, drum major
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