Active Band Man Chats - Songs That Suit Brass Bands

Horry, you were in a brass band back in school, right?

Yeah, back in high school.

You played at high school baseball games too, right?

We did. Our team wasn’t that strong, so we didn’t get that many chances to perform, though...

What kind of songs did you play?

Hmm... what was it again? I feel like we mostly played standard songs. Back then, there weren’t as many pop songs or J-pop in the repertoire. It was mostly the kind of marches you’d hear at the stadium.

なAh, I see—like “Gunkan March” (Warship March), right? I was watching the Senbatsu High School Baseball tournament on TV this year—

And?

I was paying close attention to the brass band performances—

And?

The same song selections as in the Showa era!

I see!

Linda Yamamoto’s “Nerai Uchi”, Pink Lady’s “Southpaw”...

Those were already classics back in my time too. Super standard picks.

Showa-era pop songs really suit brass bands, huh? They even played “Gakuen Tengoku”.

Yeah, yeah.

The Heisei-era classic “Kurenai” is still going strong too.

Ah, X Japan. Or just “X” at the time of release.

Yup.

Anything else?

Ai Otsuka’s “Sakuranbo”.

That really screams 2000s.

Jitterin’ Jinn’s “Natsu Matsuri”.

Feels more like a summer Koshien song than a spring Senbatsu one. The Whiteberry cover definitely helped cement that image.

Hikaru Genji’s “Paradise Ginga”.

Oh yeah, we played that too. And I think we did “Glass no Jūdai” as well...? Huh? Maybe we actually played a lot of these songs.

The theme for Abarenbō Shōgun!

Oh, I see. Mito Kōmon’s theme, too?

They even played some older anime songs, like Lupin III’s Theme and Galaxy Express 999.

Yup, those are classics. Definitely got that Showa feel.

I feel like modern anime songs would work too—like “Gurenge”.

That’s true.

One song that surprised me was Für Elise—and even “Jonetsu Tairiku”!

Whoa, that’s pretty modern.

And then, some rock songs too!

Like what?

“We Will Rock You”!

Oh, probably because of the Bohemian Rhapsody movie?

Yeah, must be! And they even played “Born to Be Wild”!

Steppenwolf!?

Yeah! And I saw them play “Burn” too!

Wait, Deep Purple? Not The Yellow Monkey? Man, that poor drummer...

I was surprised at how many rock songs they actually played.

They do have that powerful energy. But these kids playing them weren’t even born when those songs came out. They’re basically classics now.

Exactly! That’s why I love seeing those rock classics getting chosen. It got me thinking—what other songs would be great for a brass band? Let’s come up with some recommendations!

Wait... That’s the main topic? That was one long introduction...

First up, the ultimate rock riff— “Smoke on the Water”!

It’s iconic, but isn’t it a bit too heavy?

Then how about “Black Night”? Ritchie Blackmore + high school baseball = perfect match!

「“Black Night” could work! It’s well-known, and catchy riffs are easier to arrange for brass bands.

How about a classic choice— “Satisfaction”?

Rolling Stones, huh? No objections!

Or “Break on Through” by The Doors?

Nice... you’re on a roll. How about T. Rex? “20th Century Boy”?

Great pick! And something upbeat like “Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da” would be fun too.

Yeah!

And from Japanese rock, we’ve got to include some Group Sounds!

Ah, your specialty!

If Showa pop and rock work for brass bands, then Group Sounds is a no-brainer!

That’s true!

“Bam Bam Bam” by The Spiders?

Yeah, those energetic songs would fit well.

“Even if I put on a clueless face, I’ll hit it when the time comes—Bam Bam Bam!”

Uh... every player looks pretty serious, though.

B-but I...

No need to compete!

I just want to make a hit song!

Go for it...

“Tunnel Tengoku”?

The Dynamites! Hope the fielders don’t make an actual tunnel play.

The Tigers’ “Kimi Dake ni Ai wo” is a great choice too.

Agreed.

And “Seaside Bound”?

It’s a fun song, but the lyrics are about going to the beach... might be a bit cruel for baseball players.

Oof! Good point! Oh, speaking of The Tigers, the legendary Koichi Sugiyama composed their songs—he also did the Dragon Quest battle theme, which is a brass band staple!

Ah yeah, those heroic themes always get picked.

Oh, and “Furi Furi” by The Spiders starts with San San Nana Byoshi in their live performances! It’s perfect!

Whoa, that’s spot on! Must be fun to arrange.

Anything else?

I think we’ve got plenty.

No! I have to recommend a song by The Captains! This is the real main topic!

Wait, so everything until now was just setup...? Fine, go ahead.

“Koi no Zero-Han! Heart ni Pit-In!”

Ah, the classic live song from The Captains.

“Koi wa Bara Bara★Stardust!” Tic! Tic! Romantic!

One produced by Rolly, another by Hisashi Kato. Definitely fits the theme.

Right?! And the ultimate choice—”Koi no Gyakuten Manrui Homerun!”

That’s... exactly on theme. So THIS was your goal all along?

“Uraraaa! Uraraaa! Ura Ura Uraa!”

リLinda’s in trouble... Hey!

Oops, got scolded! But now that I think about it, that chant is perfect for the bottom half of the inning!

That’s true... but that means the team batting first can’t use it.

So harsh! Speaking of harsh... Sound House has something perfect for this!
LOGOS Action Cooler 25 - Gray

A cooler box? Oh, right—Sound House carries this kind of gear, too.

Exactly! And for sports spectators—
KiU K85-157 Packable Safari Hat - Tropical Birds Off

A hat! Good call. Plus, being foldable is a bonus.

And this!
KiU K163-228 KiU New Standard Rain Poncho - Bandana Patchwork

Now you’re set for rainy days! ...Wait, that transition was a bit forced./p>

It’s fine! Summer festival season is coming up. Anyway, Horry, I think some of your songs would fit a brass band too! “Swin” would be great!

Would it...? Well, the riff is simple, so it’d be easy to arrange.

And “Romantic ga Tomaranai”! Start straight from the intro into the chorus!

Good pick! It’s got solid name recognition too!

It’d be amazing to hear one of our songs played by a brass band someday! Because everything is?

For love!