How does one summarize the history of this....."Hardcorps?" Looking back to the JSU pep band's origins, we see a variety of names that once described the ensemble. Conceived from the Marching Southerners, the pep band was once two groups of scholarship holders that played at alternating games. It was during the 1980s that Band Director Dr. David Walters and Men's Basketball Coach Bill Jones brought the band to life. The band's style has changed here and there in the last 20 years, there's no denying that. It is here that we see modern-day HARDCORPS take flight.

HARDCORPS CIRCA 2003 A.D.

Hardcorps' conception in the mid-1990s spawned a new wave of entertainment at JSU basketball games. Previously known as the "Cockpit Orchestra," Hardcorps became that culmination of years of heckling, cheering, playing and down-right entertaining! Charts were written specifically for the group by Grad Asst and eventual Director of Athletic Bands, Mark Fifer. Though the bulk of the Hardcorps' library is arranged by Mr. Fifer, there were several others (Gary Lewis, Scott Sparrowhawk...) that contributed to the stack.

A flurry of talent turned the once required ensemble into a highly competitive audtion-only band. Fine tuning of the voices paid off. The group is now composed of a balanced family of saxes, trumpets, trombones, 20-Js, and a rhythm section usually consisting of bass and lead guitars, drumset, keyboard, and auxillary percussion.

HARDCORPS CIRCA 2001 A.D.

Another major change in the group was the addition of the Hardcorps Gogo Dancers in 1998. No single dance troup could have better complemented the musicians of Hardcorps. The Gogos look, from knee-high boots and platinum blonde wigs, to Catholic school girls, has been modeled by college pep bands around the country. The ladies' precision, dedication and personality have added a visual element to Hardcorps that may often be imitated, but never duplicated. The music of Hardcorps captures every potential style. Rock. Disco. Funk. Television. Big Band. Jazz. Rap. Techno....just ask, Hardcorps has done it all.

Hardcorps performs at basketball games in the fall and spring semesters as well other special events. Whether it's riding on the back of a flat-bed truck in a small town Christmas parade, or playing for the Governor at Higher Education Day in Montgomery, Hardcorps' been around the block.

All this, and it is a mostly-student run organization! Why does the band work so well year after year? Everyone loves doing it. Entertaining is a way of life for these young men and women. Fans come from both benches singing Hardcorps' praises...and that's saying a lot when you consider how much *grief* the band gives the opposing team!

But it's all for fun. No hard feelings once the game's over. Just don't expect them to sit there and be sweet.

Hardcorps: the World's Most Dangerous Pep Band.