PALO ALTO — It's not easy to shock the Stanford University marching band.

Since they rebelled against tin-soldier costumes and John Philip Sousa in 1963, the zany pack of marauding musicians has given audiences halftime performances in which formations have included flying genitalia and four-letter words and satirical themes have included Jimmy Carter's hemorrhoids.

But the Stanford athletic department succeeded in stumping the band when it suspended the group last week for making fun of the spotted owl.

No pants-dropping. No urinating on the field, which got the band its first suspension in 1986. Just a spoof on the Pacific Northwest's spotted owl controversy Oct. 27 that was loudly booed at the University of Oregon's Autzen Stadium.

After surviving the hostile Oregon fans, students were astounded by what they considered rough treatment from their own athletic department.

"We never thought we'd be banned for political satire," said Benjamin Myers, band publicity director. "I don't like the image that conjures up in people's minds."

But Alan Cummings, acting athletic director, promised: "The department of athletics will not be embarrassed again by the band."

From now on, the department will review all shows. In the past, it looked only at the band's plans for home-game performances.

Does this mean the Incomparable Leland Stanford Junior University Marching Band won't be quite so incomparable any more?

Well, armed with countless complaints from alumni and donors that the band was an idea whose time has passed, the athletic department plans a thorough review of the band's activities at the end of this season.

Jesse Dorogusker, incoming band manager, agrees that he and the athletic department have more talking to do over winter and spring.

"A lot of people in the band and on the staff are not willing to make sacrifices in our format, which is often political satire," Dorogusker said.

"William Shakespeare and Jonathan Swift didn't have to answer to their athletic departments," added Guy Tucker, a band announcer and scriptwriter.

Cummings, though, said he's not into censorship; he just wants the band to try a little tenderness.

The Oregon athletic department has asked Stanford not to bring the band next year, calling its show "in poor taste." The department also has charged the band with a $112 for repairs because of vandalism, which the Stanford athletic department is investigating.