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Tradition, Honor, Dignity words that in the Pipe and Drum community do not ring hollow. The country over there are pipe and drum bands, these bands don’t ask for a thing except a few minutes of time so they may Honor the Fallen through music steeped in Tradition that for generations has stood as the last solemn song or the final march for a fallen hero. Metro Detroit Police & Fire Pipes and Drums draws from some of the deep Irish and Scottish traditions established long ago in South East Michigan. You don’t have to talk very long to a member of the Metro Detroit Police & Fire Pipes and Drums to realize what they are all about, it’s simply stated on the front page of their website “We Honor Fallen Brothers and Sisters” that’s about as to the point as you can get. When they are called to perform, no matter where it may be in the State, I can tell you after witnessing them play several funerals they bring top notch players and add as much Honor and heartfelt Dignity to a memorial as any band in the field today.
Band Website: http://metrodetroitpolicefirepipesdrums.org/
Your name and position?
My name is Gary Marchetti and I am the Pipe Major.
How many years have you been with the band?
Since we started it up about 5 years ago. (August 2002)
How many years have you been playing?
I've been playing right around 10 years.
What made you want to start playing the pipes?
I always was fascinated with the sounds and the history of the pipes, and then bartending in an Irish Pub was more inducement. Finally when a good friend of mine died we had a piper play at his funeral and I said to myself "You aint getting any younger, better do it now" so I did.
When was the band established?
Late 2002, early 2003.
Was there a specific event that led to the forming of the band?
Yes there was. Police Officer Jessica Ann Nagle-Wilson from Hazel Park Mi. was murdered on July 28, 2002.
Myself, Brian Gothard (another founding member/fireman from Royal Oak MI.) and two other pipers showed up to play her funeral and from that incident we got a little pissed off that there was no Police/Fire Pipe Band in the Metro Detroit area and it was up to us to start one.
MDPFPD at the funeral for Joe Torkos City of Detroit Fire Department
Did you have any idea how to form or manage a band?
No but I used to coach High School Football so a lot of those skills I learned there are transferred to the band!
Was it easier or harder than you thought it was going to be?
A little of both, as in any group you have the workers, then those that bitch for no other reason than they are cops or smokeaters and then the rest of the brotherhood who enjoy the comedy.
Being the Pipe Major for a Police and Fire band is a kin to the ring master of a circus, how do you keep people focused or does the fact you have a gun keep people in line?
Well between that and a touch of Jameson's now and again we seem to get the job done.
How did the band start out, was it a bunch of people that could play formed up or did you guys start from scratch?
After Jessica's funeral, Brian and I were in different bands and we started to put the word out to various other bands regarding the possible start up of Detroit Area Police/Fire Band. Its a small circle soon other guys also involved in other bands who were either cops/fireman heard about and the rest is history, we had a couple of green ones as well. The founding members were Harold Higgins who was our first P.M, Alex Wilson was our second P.M, Bob Bartley is our Drum Sgt, Andy Ball is our Pipe Sgt, and Rob Ginther is a taught skin beater/Drum Major, and myself.
How many people are in the band?
Right now we are dressing 22, and we have about 3-5 in the wings.
How was the interest when you guys were first starting out?
It was actually pretty intense; most guys wanted to get it up and going right away, but it's not quite that easy. We had decided to go independent with no affiliation or sponsorship from any other organization, which has its strong points and weak points but its what we wanted to do. From there of course we had to get our mission statement down, and worked on becoming a 501c3 (which we are), and then work on our repertoire and our sound, and what we were going to wear. Looking back it's a hell of a lot of stuff to do, but there was alot of help.
How did you get the word out that a band was forming?
Basically word of mouth, mail to respective departments and unions.
Correct me if I am wrong but aren’t you guys the only Public Service band in the State?
YES WE IS!
Is there a great deal of pride associated with that fact?
Yea there is, I mean it was personally embarrassing to me and the other guys that when a Detroit Area or a Michigan LODD occurred Cleveland or Windsor would come in and do a great job. I look at it this way if we can’t take care of our own fallen heroes in our own backyard we aint worth a shit. I don’t want that to be taken the wrong way...Cleveland and Windsor are both great organizations, great guys, did and continue to do a great job, (we have played with both of them, and enjoy their company and camaraderie).
We just felt like we were not taking responsibility for our fallen brothers/sisters and thought it high time to take the tribute, respect, and honor our fallen in our backyards upon ourselves and not another band.
MDPFPD at funeral for DPD Officers Bowens and Fettig
Did you have a certain goal in mind when the band formed?
Several, the number one goal was and is to pay the highest respect, honor, and praise for a LODD including but not limited to our sound, uniforms, and deportment. Probably the next goal that we strive for and achieve is to have fun doing what we do.
Skip to today have you guys accomplished that goal?
I think we are getting close but you cannot rest on your laurels. But then I have to ask do you ever really achieve it? As far as uniforms go, we are working on Full Dress and are getting close; the deportment area is improving as is the sound. We continue to work on more complicated and less common tunes which challenge those of us who are getting older and slower. (THE FUN PART IS STILL A WORK IN PROGRESS!!)
If not what’s left or what else do you guys want to accomplish?
Beyond the tangible stuff like uniforms I think the biggest thing is the continued positive camaraderie, brotherhood and continue to improve our sound, and numbers.
Are there any stipulations for people that want to join the band?
Active, Reserve, Auxiliary, Federal Agents or Retired Police Officers, Same in the Fire Department. We do allow for three civilian instructors which helps out a lot!
Can you give us a rundown with what departments or organizations are represented in the band?
POLICE FIRE
Canton P.D. Bloomfield Township F.D
Bloomfield Township P.D Sterling Heights F.D
Berkley Public Safety Plymouth F.D
Wayne County Prosecutors Office Rochester F.D.
Roseville P.D. (x2) Howell F.D.
Livonia P.D Ferndale F.D.
Genessee Township P.D.
Southfield P.D.
Dearborn P.D. (x3)
Do any of the departments or Locals represented give you guys any financial support?
They certainly have. When we started we begged borrowed, and stole (well stole is pretty strong,,,how about misappropriate?) We sent out donation letters to numerous Police/Fire Unions and the response was great. I have to give props to three of our strongest supporters.
1. Warthogs- defined as "a bunch of wild assed, charitable bikers who happen to be cops, love to drink, and love us". They have supported us from the start.
2. POAM Police Officers Association of Michigan- another great bunch of guys who treat us like royalty especially when we are in D.C at the Tune Inn!
3. Berkley American Legion Post # 374- They let us practice there on Wednesday nights (which just happens to coincide with $1.00 beer nights, who ever said God doesn't have a sense of humor or love pipers!!) treat us like brothers and we love all of 'em!
When you were starting out did you guys offer lessons?
Not when we first started, we would informally help some of the greener guys but that wasn’t working out as well as we had hoped.
Do you offer lessons now?
Yes we do, and have 3 on the chanter, and one in transition up to the pipes and two taught skin beaters who had their cherry popped last Saturday at the Warthogs Winter Bash (I am not sure if they remember too much after playing that is.....long night)
Did you have a hard time finding instructors who were willing (to deal with and teach) Cops and Firefighters?
Well the instructors we have aren’t the best looking cats in the world, and like to imbibe in single malt now and then. No once we changed the bylaws to allow civilian instructors we didn’t have much problem filling it. The hardest thing was probably them acclimating to the typical cop/fireman insanity shit they are always pulling on each other. Not a lot of love shown at certain times if ya know what I mean. We currently have two pipe instructors, Todd Wyber & Mark Godfrey, one drum instructor Pat Ewing who do a great job and need to be recognized.
How long did it take from the forming of the band until you guys played your first performance as a band?
Unfortunately not too long. We lost Gordon Stevens July 23, 2003. He literally was "one of our own" as he worked in Canton P.D. with our ex P.M. Alex Wilson.
What was your first public appearance?
The aforementioned funeral for Gordon Stevens.
Was there a defining moment for the band one that still sticks in your mind?
I have several of them some good and some not.
Probably the most significant one is that since we have started the band we have played 25 LODD. Of those 25, 5 have hit home where the LODD came from one of the departments represented within the band.
The funny ones are the ones I like best though...how about doing a LODD funeral and my drone cords catch on a huge floral arraignment down near the casket/stage and here I make a right turn and dump it on the lady in the front row of this huge, filled auditorium. I didn’t stop catching shit on that one that is until the next funeral we had.
The Next funeral was almost like the Bataan Death March for us, it turned out to be about 3-5 miles outside and we were leading the engine carrying the fallen firefighter..... The one that was riding me hardest and non stop about the flowers that morning, well what do ya know happens? Just when we go by Fire station #1 and the on duty guys are all at attention, this guy loses his kilt...it truly is a "KODAK MOMENT"...He who laughs first….
The other one was we played at the Capitol Building in D.C. a couple of years ago for a gig the POAM had scheduled for Michigan Night with the Michigan Senators in a side room off of the Senate Floor and we interrupted a speech by John Kerry...man you should have seen the Sgt. at Arms of the Senate come running out screaming (nobody could hear him) and try to stop us...it was hilarious.....man does the sound carry in that building!!!
You guys will play anywhere in the state for a fallen Police Officer or Fire Fighter what is the farthest you have traveled to play at a funeral?
Several hundred miles, I think it was around 290 or so.
Do you guys go to any of the big events?
We have been to D.C. several times, Emmetsburg once, and looking forward to the other ones.
What was your first big event you guys attended as a band?
It would have been D.C.
Is there a must play event every year for your band? The one that everyone loves to go to or play at?
Several, but any of the Warthog gigs usually result severe temporary memory loss and several "OH SHITS!" the next day.
Is there an event you guys have not yet played but want to?
Colorado, we have heard nothing but good things about that one and we are going to make that one of our next stops.
Where and how often do you guys practice?
Every Wednesday at the Berkley American Legion Post # 574 (REMEMBER ITS $1.00 BEER NITE TOO) 1800Hrs.
Practice….Loosely organized chaos, seriously strict work, or somewhere in between?
Usually somewhere in between. When we are working on new tunes it is usually a little more organized because we want to get it up and running so we don’t screw off as much until near the end.
How many events do you guys play a year as a band?
Usually around 30-40.
Do you guys have a favorite local event you like to play?
WARTHOG GIGS
Are you guys involved in any charities as a band?
Yes, several of us are also in the Detroit Shrine Highlander Band , and belong to other charities.
How do you guys raise money as a band? (Fund-raisers, performances, etc)?
When we started we decided that we would not do parades because most of us were in other bands and it would cause too much conflict with choosing which band to play with. Even w/o doing parades there seems to be plenty of other band events that we do throughout the year, most of it Police/Fire related that aren’t LODD. We do a few fundraiser events throughout the year and occasionally take a paid job here and there.
Does the band pay for any equipment or uniforms for the members?
Hose & ghillies are bought by the members the taught skin beaters have their skins bought for them. (Lucky Dogs)
Is there any Police-Fire rivalry going on in the band or is it just good old fashioned fun?
OH YEA......Our last P.M. Alex Wilson stokes the fire by proclaiming "Once we get more cops in the band, we are kicking out the smokeaters". Most of biting is in good humor and we all realize that "there but by the grace of God..." it could be any of one of us!
Is there a band out there you guys love to play and hang with?
CAMDEN COUNTY.....they have to be some of the most fun loving bunch of guys. When we first started up, I met up with Mike Nelson and have a pretty good friendship with him, he has helped us on several occasions.....he has yet to buy a round or post bond for any of us, I mean the guy raises gypsy moths in his wallet, but I still have their backs! (JUST KIDDING THERE BROTHER!!)
What tartan do you guys wear and why did you choose it?
We wear the "METRO DETROIT POLICE & FIRE PIPES & DRUMS" tartan, we designed it with Locharron Mill (even got it registered) along with help from Margaret at Burnetts & Struth where we purchase our kilts.
How much work is involved in registering your own tartan?
It wasn’t nearly as hard as getting guys to practice on time I can tell you that! Actually it took a couple of months, several letters and that was about it.
Who came up with your tartan or who had the idea to design your own?
When we started the band since we were going independent, we decided to design our own tartan.
What’s the significance of your tartan?
Red SMOKEATERS Blue COPS White LIFE Black LODD and all the fallen brothers/sisters
Do you guys have any crazy band traditions?
Just one it’s called “GETTIN JAMESD" it really has nothing to do with Jameson (well not directly), but the after effects are worth it!
I haven’t asked this one in a few weeks…..What’s the best reply when someone asks “What’s under the Kilt”?
Several of them, if a guy asks its "Your wife’s lipstick", "Socks & Shoes" is good another good one which doesn’t get too many people pissed off and gets a little laugh.
Anything Else you want to add?
Only that I think what you are doing is a great thing! History and tradition needs to be recognized, appreciated and carried on. If you ever find yourself in Michigan please look us up!!
On behalf of the Metro Detroit Police & Fire Pipes & Drums thank you for the opportunity to be a part of this. I also want to thank all of the members of our band; they really show dedication, commitment, and loyalty. We could not, nor would not be where we are today without all of them and their input.
(P.S. I really would have appreciated this interview much more it you flew a couple of us out of this friggin sub zero Michigan winter to Hawaii where the drinks are cold, the sun is warm and the sights unbelievable!!)
Thanks TEX!!
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