To horn or not to horn, that is the question

Not much in the news today — the Silicon Valley/San Jose Business Journal has a story on the stadium deal, but there’s not much new information there — so we’re going to dive into another issue. (There will be some news later today — check back for an update from Center Line’s Jeff Carlisle on the potential signing of Jean-Philippe Peguero.)

There’s a big discussion over on BigSoccer concerning fans’ use of plastic horns. Banned throughout the Quakes’ previous history at Spartan Stadium, the horns made an unexpected reappearance at McAfee Coliseum on Saturday.

To put it mildly, the horns’ reemergence has not been met with anything like enthusiasm by a substantial portion of the fan base. Horns add little besides charmless noise to the atmosphere at a game. We have particular empathy for the unfortunate parents who purchase the horns for their children, only to have the youngsters use them inside the house after returning from the game.

Over on BigSoccer, there are a number of people who do not support reinstating the ban, a fact that surprised us at first. Once we saw their reasons, though, it made sense: banning the use of anything in the Bay Area is going to meet with objections simply because of the live-and-let-live nature of the people here.

We think that an exception needs to be made when it comes to the horns, however. The question being debated on BigSoccer is whether there should be horns or not. The issue that is really at stake is this: Is the stadium atmosphere going to consist of songs and cheers using human voices, or will the stadium buzz like a bee hive from kids blowing horns? Ultimately, there’s no middle ground. Voices can’t compete with continuous, loud blasts from the horns.

It wasn’t evident at the cavernous Coliseum, but the songs from the Casbah can fill a stadium. At Spartan Stadium, as fans outside the North End became more familiar with their cheers, chants, and songs, they would join in. This phenomenon was enhanced in recent years as many long-time Casbah members, seeking a better view of the match and now able to afford a bit more, purchased season tickets closer to midfield. Songs that were once confined to a supporters’ group were picked up in pockets throughout the stadium and spread even more from there. Given another decade and the emergence of a second sizable supporters’ group, the 1906 Ultras, we think significant portions of the stadium would join in.

What a great atmosphere that would be! More than that, what a great boon to ticket sales it would be. Why? It would create a unique experience for fans. Fans can hear those horns at any professional baseball or football game in the Bay Area. We think part of what makes Earthquakes games attractive to newcomers is that they’re different from anything else in town, and the chants, cheers, and songs of Earthquakes fans are a big part of that.

We’re all for freedom of expression. Defending the horns on those grounds, though, doesn’t make sense — you can’t express much with a horn that plays one note, just like you couldn’t play a tune on a piano with one key. We much prefer the most versatile instrument of all: the human voice.