It's about time for a a good parade in Baltimore. And what is a parade without 76 trombones and a drumline?

Larren Holmes, 18, of Coppin Heights is a drummer with the Baltimore Westsiders Marching Band. The Westsiders, in their classic red and white uniforms, will perform during Monday's Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parade downtown.

The Westsiders will march alongside other high school and community bands and color guards, equestrian units, dance squads and colorful floats for the 15th annual celebration honoring the legacy of the civil rights leader at noon, kicking off at the intersection of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Eutaw Street.

In a recent interview, Holmes talked about his participation in the band and his love of music.

How did you get involved with the Westsiders Marching Band?

I've actually been involved since I was a child. My mother was in the band when she was younger, and growing up, I've just always wanted to play the drums. … And [making music] just excites me. There's a special feeling that you get when you play.

Besides making music, what do you like about being a part of the Westsiders?

I honestly think the Westsiders is the band that started it all. …We are a band going on our 51st year, so we've been here for a long time and ... we just like to help people in any way possible. Even through the holiday season that just passed, we gave away some baskets of food to homeless people who needed food for the holidays. We just like to help out.

Which kinds of music do you like to listen to outside of the band?

All genres. The more music that you listen to, the more things you get to learn. If you can learn hip-hop, R&B, a little bit of country, even rock, when it comes down to making these songs you can put a little bit of all of that into one.

You guys march in a lot of parades each year. What do you think bands and music contribute to those events?

The bands play a big role. It just adds more of the excitement. There are the visuals, like with the floats and stuff, and then you have the bands and you're hearing the music and it just pumps up the crowd. … Sometimes you hear music that you've heard on the radio and it's kind of exciting to hear it remade through the percussion.

What can people expect to hear from the Westsiders for the MLK Jr. Parade and what are you looking forward to about it?

There will be some old music that you've heard from the Westsiders before and some new music that you've never heard. It should be exciting. … I feel great about participating in this parade because it's the first parade of the new year and [the parade] is an important event for Baltimore because it's a day when Baltimore can come together to smile and have fun.