Blue Blood Brewing becomes new home one of UNL’s Friday Pep Bands

Robber's Cave Pep Band Logo

Robber’s Cave Pep Band will have first appearance on Friday, Sept. 2

When Brian Podwinksi heard that Grandmother’s restaurant was closing and, along with it, the end of the Grandmother’s Pep Band, which was in existence for 25 years, he knew he had an immediate and wonderful solution.

As a former member of the Cornhusker Marching Band (Trumpet in C Rank) as well as University of Nebraska-Lincoln CMB pep bands, Podwinski’s solution is near and dear to him. Podwinski is President of Blue Blood Brewing Company and it’s new restaurant and brewery, located at 925 Robbers Cave Road in Lincoln.

A few emails, phone calls and visits later and an agreement was reached to form – the Robber’s Cave Pep Band – starting this fall (September 2 prior to the first home game against Fresno State) at the restaurant and brewery.

“I think it is an amazing partnership to bring two pieces of Lincoln history together and a way to bring them together to ensure they both continue to thrive!,” Podwinski said.

Cornhusker Marching Band Director Tony Falcone added, “The sudden, and unforeseen closing of Grandmother’s left its group a ‘Band without a country.’ The program relies on the group for other functions as well, so we were hoping to find a new Friday night venue and BBBC came calling.”

Eighteen members of the Cornhusker Marching Band take part. They include: 1 Piccolo; 1 Clarinet; 1 Alto Sax; 1 Tenor Sax; 4 Trumpets; 2 Mellophones; 3 Trombones; 1 Baritone; 1 Tuba; 3 Percussion. They play a couple of sets on the Friday nights before home football games. The two 20-minute sets are comprised of a mixture of Husker fight songs, cheers and up tempo pop music.

“It’s a great fit,” Falcone said. “Brian’s history with the CMB, the newness of the venture, the tie-in to historic Robber’s Cave and the characteristics of the venue are all positives for us. It’s exciting to be in on the ‘ground floor.’”

There are two other pep bands that take part in the tradition in other parts of Lincoln including the Misty’s Pep Band and the Football Friday Band. Members of the Robber’s Cave Pep Band are yet to be determined as it’s part of the process in the forming of the band in the fall.