Diamon Taylor is a senior Kinesiology major from Dallas, TX. She currently serves a Drum Major for the Marching Storm Band and will be heading to the Honda Battle of the Bands Showcase in Atlanta, GA for the second time.

How was your first experience at Honda Battle of the Bands in 2016?

It was a great experience. I did not know how big of a deal it was. People don’t realize how big and broad the band world is. Just to see black people, our culture, come together for the same thing was awesome because it was thousands of people. I like to see us come together, enjoying the same thing.

 

What was one of your most memorable experiences at the 2016 Honda Battle of the Bands?

We were on the field playing a song by Dru Hill and our announcer TT on the Mic told everyone to put their flashlights on the phones and we had thousands of people with their phones out rocking with us. I like that we were able to grasp the attention of the crowd like that. It wasn’t just one side; it was the whole dome.

 

How did you feel when you found out the band was going back to Honda Battle of the Bands?

I was pretty excited because now I’m a Drum Major and I get to see it from two different sides; being a regular person in the band to actually being in a lead position. I think it’s going to be a good experience. I’m older now so, I have a feel of what to expect.

 

What does being a Drum Major mean to you?

Being a drum major is bigger than me. To be able to lead a group of your peers is not easy and to be able to handle that is a wonderful thing. It takes hard work, dedication, and sacrifice.

 

What are you most looking forward to at the 2018 Honda Battle of the Bands?

I’m looking forward to meeting my peers in other bands. I’m looking forward to meeting these people in person.

 

What makes the 2018 Honda Battle of the Bands performance different from other performances?

I think it has more structure. It is a longer show and has a new spice to it. What we did last Honda was good, but this year will be better. The Marching Storm is stepping out the box and showing Atlanta something different. I think this is a show everyone will love.

 

Describe “The Storm” in three words:

Hardworking: We practice consistently. Members of the came back a week early for the Spring semester to prepare for Honda Battle of the Bands.

 

Legendary: Before “The Storm” was “The Storm” we were known around the world. We’ve been invited to the Rose Bowl, multiple Super Bowls and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. I think we are making our mark in this world. We are very legendary.

 

Pride: We have pride; we are definitely prideful. We don’t like to hear people talk mess to us because some people don’t think band is a sport. We work just as hard as everyone else. I would like to be recognized for that.

 

To purchase tickets to the 2018 Honda Battle of the Bands visit ticketmaster.com