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Lensman
11-30-2004, 05:08 PM
Yes, for only $488, you too can convert that spare room in your home into an absolutely stunning home theater:

http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/dc_design_home_theatre/article/0,1793,HGTV_3374_2605550,00.html

;)

Sir Terrence the Terrible
12-01-2004, 09:37 AM
<img src="http://drumcorpsplanet.org/forums//style_emoticons/default/huh.gif"

<img src="http://drumcorpsplanet.org/forums//style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif">

<img src="http://drumcorpsplanet.org/forums//style_emoticons/default/spitting.gif">

<img src="http://drumcorpsplanet.org/forums//style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif">

topspeed
12-01-2004, 11:01 AM
<img src="http://drumcorpsplanet.org/forums//style_emoticons/default/huh.gif"

<img src="http://drumcorpsplanet.org/forums//style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif">

<img src="http://drumcorpsplanet.org/forums//style_emoticons/default/spitting.gif">

<img src="http://drumcorpsplanet.org/forums//style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif"> Hey Sir TT,
I noticed your emoticons are from Drumcorpsplanet. Do/Did you play?

Sir Terrence the Terrible
12-01-2004, 11:56 AM
Hey Sir TT,
I noticed your emoticons are from Drumcorpsplanet. Do/Did you play?

I was in the Cavaliers Colorguard from 79-86. I currently march in the San Francisco Renegades Colorguard.

I am a bit of a drum corps nut I guess

topspeed
12-01-2004, 01:56 PM
I was in the Cavaliers Colorguard from 79-86. I currently march in the San Francisco Renegades Colorguard.

I am a bit of a drum corps nut I guessNo sh!t? Back in the '80's, my drumline would compete in various competitions and our advisor played for one of them (can't remember the name, Concorde Blue Devils?). He taught us all kinds of sick stuff and we would go to competitions to see them play. Amazing stuff. Real showmanship and ridiculous stick control. We developed a 7/8 cadence that threw the whole band off but was fun as hell to play.

Sir Terrence the Terrible
12-01-2004, 03:22 PM
No sh!t? Back in the '80's, my drumline would compete in various competitions and our advisor played for one of them (can't remember the name, Concorde Blue Devils?). He taught us all kinds of sick stuff and we would go to competitions to see them play. Amazing stuff. Real showmanship and ridiculous stick control. We developed a 7/8 cadence that threw the whole band off but was fun as hell to play.

Mind blowing!!! Yeah man, the Blue Devils back in the early and mid 80's were a frightening crew. Totally awesome corps. There are alot of "Blue Crew" marching in the corps I am in now. Its totally funny, I was marching against them back in the 80's, and marching WITH them now. I see some of the same faces I saw some 20 years ago marching right next to me.

What school did you go to? I bet I can find you instructor!

Woochifer
12-01-2004, 10:37 PM
Interesting that HGTV would put this together. My wife watches that network all the time and the question I got most of the time is where the hell they're hiding the rest of their entertainment setup? It's like all of those designers just want a diminutive TV hidden away somewhere and that's it. I've yet to see an actual surround system on any of HGTV's programs. My wife likes to ask me how I like certain rooms on those shows,and she gets miffed whenever I say that it sucks because there's no room for a home theater. I should be glad that she puts up with the rig that I setup in our room!

I like the idea of using old movie theater seats, although those things don't exactly look comfortable! And I don't really see any speakers in those pics either, so it's not all the way there just yet. But, all in all a lot of cool ideas in that room.

Woochifer
12-01-2004, 11:27 PM
Mind blowing!!! Yeah man, the Blue Devils back in the early and mid 80's were a frightening crew. Totally awesome corps. There are alot of "Blue Crew" marching in the corps I am in now. Its totally funny, I was marching against them back in the 80's, and marching WITH them now. I see some of the same faces I saw some 20 years ago marching right next to me.

What school did you go to? I bet I can find you instructor!

Geez, talk about worlds converging!

My ex-girlfriend's roommate in the early-90s was a member of the now defunct Velvet Knights, so we got out to see some of the drumcorps competitions. That group was very talented, but also quite crazy with some of their antics both on the field and behind the scenes.

Agreed that the Blue Devils had some of the most scary great drumlines I've ever seen. I think at that time the Santa Clara Vanguard was the dominant group, and the Blue Devils were usually right on their heels. But, the Velvet Knights were typically the crowd favorites, even if the judges were put off by some of their unorthodox theatrics.

One year, the entire corps was dressed in red jumpsuits with backward baseball caps and the drums painted in fluorescent colors. The drum major dressed like an airport runway controller and used those lighted batons to conduct. I think someone else dressed as a shark and "ate" one of the horn players at the end of a song, and some of their theatrics made fun of the other groups. But, the part of their show that stood out was when they did an "opera" complete with supertitles. One of those titles said "It's Not Over" and then out rolls a singing "fat lady" and all mayhem breaks loose to the finale. It was hilarious and always got a standing ovation.

On PBS last year, I saw the drumcorps finals and it just seems like the level of competition has gotten to an almost insane plateau. The winning group (was it the Cadets?) did some marches that I did not think were humanly possible. They were that good, and the Vanguard and Blue Devils also upped the ante considerably from what I remember of them 10 years ago. Maybe it's just me, but is it getting to a point where the competition has gotten so overwhelming that it now detracts from the fun of just playing in those groups? The thing that I remembered about the Velvet Knights was that they were having a lot of fun (sometimes at their rivals' expense), and they knew that the judges did not like them, so they just played the crowd. At least on TV, it seemed like the kids looked a lot tighter and wound up than I remember.

Sir Terrence the Terrible
12-02-2004, 10:08 AM
Geez, talk about worlds converging!

My ex-girlfriend's roommate in the early-90s was a member of the now defunct Velvet Knights, so we got out to see some of the drumcorps competitions. That group was very talented, but also quite crazy with some of their antics both on the field and behind the scenes.


Now this is insane!! Along with the Bridgemen of the late 70's the Velvet Knights are my one of my favorite corps. The corps I currently march in now is VERY much like them, but more so like the Bridgemen. I wish you could have seen the Velvet Knights in the late 70's and early 80's, one of the most beloved corps on the field. When we were on tour and they were in the same show, I would try and sneak away and watch them practice. They always seem to be having a great time, more fun than we were having for sure.


Agreed that the Blue Devils had some of the most scary great drumlines I've ever seen. I think at that time the Santa Clara Vanguard was the dominant group, and the Blue Devils were usually right on their heels. But, the Velvet Knights were typically the crowd favorites, even if the judges were put off by some of their unorthodox theatrics.

The Blue Devils are known mostly for that sweet sounding, so powerful horn line,. and their colorguard. Santa Clara has always stayed extremely close to the Blue Devils, never finishng more than one or two places behind or above. The crowds have always loved the Velvet Knights because their shows(as opposed to other corps)are designed for the people, and not the judges. That is why they have never done better than 10-12th place every year, if they made finals at all.


One year, the entire corps was dressed in red jumpsuits with backward baseball caps and the drums painted in fluorescent colors. The drum major dressed like an airport runway controller and used those lighted batons to conduct. I think someone else dressed as a shark and "ate" one of the horn players at the end of a song, and some of their theatrics made fun of the other groups. But, the part of their show that stood out was when they did an "opera" complete with supertitles. One of those titles said "It's Not Over" and then out rolls a singing "fat lady" and all mayhem breaks loose to the finale. It was hilarious and always got a standing ovation.

I think that this was their 93 or 94 show. They didn't make finals, but their show was the most entertaining out of everyone.


On PBS last year, I saw the drumcorps finals and it just seems like the level of competition has gotten to an almost insane plateau. The winning group (was it the Cadets?) did some marches that I did not think were humanly possible. They were that good, and the Vanguard and Blue Devils also upped the ante considerably from what I remember of them 10 years ago. Maybe it's just me, but is it getting to a point where the competition has gotten so overwhelming that it now detracts from the fun of just playing in those groups? The thing that I remembered about the Velvet Knights was that they were having a lot of fun (sometimes at their rivals' expense), and they knew that the judges did not like them, so they just played the crowd. At least on TV, it seemed like the kids looked a lot tighter and wound up than I remember.

Last year it was my former corps that won(Go Green machine!!!). While the level of show design has greatly improved since I marched, overall I don't care for most of the shows I see now. DCI is a very different world, lost is the individual character of each corps. Almost all shows are played to the judges, and not to the fans. The competition to get into a top 12 corps is fierce, and touring costs almost $2,000 per indvidual. To make the colorguard you not only have to spin and toss your flag/rifle well, but you have to have quite a few dance classes also. So drum corps is now for VERY talented, upper middle class kids. Gone are the days you could pull a troubled kid off the street, stick a horn in his hand, teach him to play and march, help him get the money for tour(which was about $160 back then) and watch his or her life change for ever. It's kinda a shame.

The corps I belong to now, the San Francisco Renegades have a simular history to the Velvet Knights. Our shows are designed and played for the fans only. We are not well liked by the judging community(we don't follow tradition), our shows have comedy, themes, and last year we did one of the most controversial shows in DCA history. Can you imagine the stares we got when we went onto the field at DCM championships in Chicago with a guard dressed in S & M and bondage clothing???<img src="http://drumcorpsplanet.org/forums//style_emoticons/default/w00t.gif">

At championship this year we got 6 standing ovations, and the last one lasted a full 5 minutes after we left the field. When the announcer read off our score and placement, the fans boo'd, threw toilet paper, cups, ice, old pampers, programs you name it. It took about 15 minutes to restore order in the place, and clean the field. I just purchased the DVD's from all the years I marched about 2 months ago. Been watching them weekly every since!

topspeed
12-02-2004, 11:12 AM
Mind blowing!!! Yeah man, the Blue Devils back in the early and mid 80's were a frightening crew. Totally awesome corps. There are alot of "Blue Crew" marching in the corps I am in now. Its totally funny, I was marching against them back in the 80's, and marching WITH them now. I see some of the same faces I saw some 20 years ago marching right next to me.

What school did you go to? I bet I can find you instructor!

I don't think you'll find our old instructor, his name was John Sharp and he died in a motorcycle accident 5 or 10 years ago. It's too bad, he's still one of the most talented musicians I've ever met. He had a custom trap set built to his design and when he sat on his throne, he truly was a drumming god. John could do things that made my jaw drop, and I've been playing since I was 6 years old!

You two are bringing back a lot of memories. I remember at one show, one band walked through a makeshift tunnel on the field and come out the other side with completely different uniforms on! The crowd loved it! A camera revealed two people inside the tunnel that would tear away the velcro fastened uniforms while the bandmember kept on playing. Very cool at the time.

Sir Terrence the Terrible
12-02-2004, 11:39 AM
I don't think you'll find our old instructor, his name was John Sharp and he died in a motorcycle accident 5 or 10 years ago. It's too bad, he's still one of the most talented musicians I've ever met. He had a custom trap set built to his design and when he sat on his throne, he truly was a drumming god. John could do things that made my jaw drop, and I've been playing since I was 6 years old!

You two are bringing back a lot of memories. I remember at one show, one band walked through a makeshift tunnel on the field and come out the other side with completely different uniforms on! The crowd loved it! A camera revealed two people inside the tunnel that would tear away the velcro fastened uniforms while the bandmember kept on playing. Very cool at the time.

That would be the "Tunnel of Doom" from the Santa Clara Vanguards 1985 show. They bought it back in 1986, with a fresh twist. And by the way, never, NEVER call a corps a band. Corps members will dig out your eyeballs if you do that! LOLOL

I am going to ask some of the drummers from the Renegades if they know who he is. I bet they do.

Woochifer
12-02-2004, 12:49 PM
The crowds have always loved the Velvet Knights because their shows(as opposed to other corps)are designed for the people, and not the judges. That is why they have never done better than 10-12th place every year, if they made finals at all.

That's what really stood out with them. They were having fun and they wanted the audience to enjoy the show. The other corps were more precise (but not by a big margin), but didn't have that flair or showmanship that the VKs showed.


I think that this was their 93 or 94 show. They didn't make finals, but their show was the most entertaining out of everyone.

The year that they broke out the "opera" they made it to the finals, which was a huge accomplishment for them because it had been a few years since they made the finals, and I believe it was the last time they ever did. As usual, they placed around 10th I believe, but got the loudest and longest ovation from the crowd (the crowds would go wild after the "fat lady" made her entrance). I think the Vanguard won that year with a "Fiddler On The Roof" routine. Throughout that season, the VKs trashed the Vanguard by stopping right in the middle of a song and breaking out a few bars and marches from the Vanguard's Fiddler routine, pretty much mimicking and mocking it at the same time. Someone would then run out to the middle of the field with a giant placard that read "NOT!" and then the VKs would regroup and start into another song. The joke would have played out better if the Vanguard had played before the VKs did, because I only got the joke after the Vanguard's performance and I saw what the VKs were imitating and making fun of.


Last year it was my former corps that won(Go Green machine!!!). While the level of show design has greatly improved since I marched, overall I don't care for most of the shows I see now. DCI is a very different world, lost is the individual character of each corps. Almost all shows are played to the judges, and not to the fans. The competition to get into a top 12 corps is fierce, and touring costs almost $2,000 per indvidual. To make the colorguard you not only have to spin and toss your flag/rifle well, but you have to have quite a few dance classes also. So drum corps is now for VERY talented, upper middle class kids. Gone are the days you could pull a troubled kid off the street, stick a horn in his hand, teach him to play and march, help him get the money for tour(which was about $160 back then) and watch his or her life change for ever. It's kinda a shame.

That seems to be what's happened. The production value has gotten to such a high level, I can't see how anyone can put together a competitive corps without a lot of money and professional staffing. At the lower levels, the drumcorps can still help a kid out. My cousin was a marginal student who occasionally got into trouble. He got into a local drumcorps that competed in the lower divisions, and that was really the first time that he had to learn discipline. That helped shape him in a lot of different ways. He's now on track to graduate from college and is trying to break into law enforcement.


The corps I belong to now, the San Francisco Renegades have a simular history to the Velvet Knights. Our shows are designed and played for the fans only. We are not well liked by the judging community(we don't follow tradition), our shows have comedy, themes, and last year we did one of the most controversial shows in DCA history. Can you imagine the stares we got when we went onto the field at DCM championships in Chicago with a guard dressed in S & M and bondage clothing???<img src="http://drumcorpsplanet.org/forums//style_emoticons/default/w00t.gif">

At championship this year we got 6 standing ovations, and the last one lasted a full 5 minutes after we left the field. When the announcer read off our score and placement, the fans boo'd, threw toilet paper, cups, ice, old pampers, programs you name it. It took about 15 minutes to restore order in the place, and clean the field. I just purchased the DVD's from all the years I marched about 2 months ago. Been watching them weekly every since!

That's so cool that you still march, and that there is a local group that still does the more fun routines. Those outfits sound VERY San Francisco! Quick question, I thought there was an age limit to belong to a drumcorps. Is this a different circuit that you're playing on?

At the shows I saw, the crowd booed whenever the VKs got placed in the middle of the pack, but no stuff got tossed around. Oh how times change! Actually, I thought about ordering one of the old DCI videos because a corps that made the finals in either 91 or 92 did this incredible rendition of Pat Metheny Group's "Third Wind." That song incorporates a lot of latin percussion and timing changes, and seeing a drumcorps transcribe that number was so insane to watch.

Sir Terrence the Terrible
12-02-2004, 04:08 PM
That's what really stood out with them. They were having fun and they wanted the audience to enjoy the show. The other corps were more precise (but not by a big margin), but didn't have that flair or showmanship that the VKs showed.

I think that is what is missing in drum corps, and why the Renegades are so popular all over the country. So many show designers are designing shows that are based solely on what the judges critiques comments. So the show play well to the judges, but bores the fans. As a whole DCI has become homogonized in look(mostly all uniforms are designed by a Michaell Cesario, so most corps uniforms look simular to each other), in style(everyone does almost everything the same way, no individual style anymore) and sound(most corps have switched to horns pitched in Bb instead of G). Instead of setting the trends for marching bands, they are borrowing alot of stuff from marching bands(a step backward IMO)

Right now DCI is at a split in the highway. Drum corps has changed so much that it has alienated their long time fans, but also drawn a whole new group of young people to the activity. The use of amps in the pit section has made so many long time fans angry(this one included) that they have stop supporting DCI, and quit going to shows, only to be replaced by fans who have grown up listening to pits amped in marching band. This is a HUGE controversy.


The year that they broke out the "opera" they made it to the finals, which was a huge accomplishment for them because it had been a few years since they made the finals, and I believe it was the last time they ever did.
As usual, they placed around 10th I believe, but got the loudest and longest ovation from the crowd (the crowds would go wild after the "fat lady" made her entrance). I think the Vanguard won that year with a "Fiddler On The Roof" routine.

That would be 1992 show. Vanguard didn't place that much higher than VK. They lost their corps director while on tour, and that sorta knocked the air out of them. They placed 7th that year in finals.


{quote]Throughout that season, the VKs trashed the Vanguard by stopping right in the middle of a song and breaking out a few bars and marches from the Vanguard's Fiddler routine, pretty much mimicking and mocking it at the same time. Someone would then run out to the middle of the field with a giant placard that read "NOT!" and then the VKs would regroup and start into another song. The joke would have played out better if the Vanguard had played before the VKs did, because I only got the joke after the Vanguard's performance and I saw what the VKs were imitating and making fun of.[/quote]

If you remember they also mocked the classic"bottle dance" of the Vanguards colorguard. Just as they were about to do it, the DM raised a placard "NOT!". it was freakin hilarious.[/quote]




That seems to be what's happened. The production value has gotten to such a high level, I can't see how anyone can put together a competitive corps without a lot of money and professional staffing. At the lower levels, the drumcorps can still help a kid out. My cousin was a marginal student who occasionally got into trouble. He got into a local drumcorps that competed in the lower divisions, and that was really the first time that he had to learn discipline. That helped shape him in a lot of different ways. He's now on track to graduate from college and is trying to break into law enforcement.

I was talking to our corps director, and he says it took about $450,000 to get the Renegades off the ground.

Yes, you stand a better chance with a division II or III corps to start these days. These two divisions are probably the most undersupported by DCI, as they tend to favor division I corps, with a strong emphasis on the top 12. Another huge DCI mistake IMO


That's so cool that you still march, and that there is a local group that still does the more fun routines. Those outfits sound VERY San Francisco! Quick question, I thought there was an age limit to belong to a drumcorps. Is this a different circuit that you're playing on?

DCI serves the 14-22 crowd, DCA which is the circuit the Renegades compete in is 18 till you die, or better known as all age. The outfits, well let's just say this, our own corps couldn't believe their eyes when they saw us, and folks in the midwest thought we were the devils concubine.


At the shows I saw, the crowd booed whenever the VKs got placed in the middle of the pack, but no stuff got tossed around. Oh how times change! Actually, I thought about ordering one of the old DCI videos because a corps that made the finals in either 91 or 92 did this incredible rendition of Pat Metheny Group's "Third Wind." That song incorporates a lot of latin percussion and timing changes, and seeing a drumcorps transcribe that number was so insane to watch.

To say the crowd was upset, would be the understatement of this century. I felt like a rock star that night, everyone wanted to shake my hand, touch me, I was even asked several times for my autograph. People were just going mad after that performance.

The group you are referring to is the Crossmen, and that was their 91 show. That was the year that a corps that was only 6 years old won the championships, The Star of Indiana.

Woochifer
12-03-2004, 03:27 PM
I think that is what is missing in drum corps, and why the Renegades are so popular all over the country. So many show designers are designing shows that are based solely on what the judges critiques comments. So the show play well to the judges, but bores the fans. As a whole DCI has become homogonized

That's really too bad. It's been a while since I've gone to any drumcorps performances and I'll watch it only if I happen to catch the finals on PBS. I did notice that there's a certain sameness to it, at least those corps that make the finals.



If you remember they also mocked the classic"bottle dance" of the Vanguards colorguard. Just as they were about to do it, the DM raised a placard "NOT!". it was freakin hilarious.

The first time I saw the VKs doing that, I wondered what the hell was up with that, especially since about half the crowd around me was busting up and spitting out their drinks. If the VKs ever managed to perform after the Vanguard, then that joke could have really brought the house down.


DCI serves the 14-22 crowd, DCA which is the circuit the Renegades compete in is 18 till you die, or better known as all age. The outfits, well let's just say this, our own corps couldn't believe their eyes when they saw us, and folks in the midwest thought we were the devils concubine.

Thanks for clarifying. Hate to think that all these corps would resort to sneaking in a bunch of crusty old farts to stay competitive! (not that I'd accuse of being crusty or farting or what not!)

LOL -- I could just imagine church the following morning with all the preaching about the evils of that pagenist artform known as drum and bugle corps!


To say the crowd was upset, would be the understatement of this century. I felt like a rock star that night, everyone wanted to shake my hand, touch me, I was even asked several times for my autograph. People were just going mad after that performance.

The group you are referring to is the Crossmen, and that was their 91 show. That was the year that a corps that was only 6 years old won the championships, The Star of Indiana.

Sounds like a really cool group to watch. Thanks for letting me know about the alternate circuit. You'll have to keep me informed about local performances when the season hits.

Crossmen, 91, great now I know which videos to order. (with all this discussion of the VKs, I might have to also grab the 92 tape as well so I can get a look at that show again).

Star of Indiana -- aren't they the group that put together some Broadway drumcorps production a few years ago?

Sir Terrence the Terrible
12-06-2004, 11:44 AM
.

Star of Indiana -- aren't they the group that put together some Broadway drumcorps production a few years ago?

Yes, it was called Blast. It has become very sucessful. Star of Indiana left drum corps competition to form Blast. The have never returned to the field, or are the expected to in the form they left in. An alumni corps is in the process of forming for exibition at DCA finals this year. Alot of people are very excited about that.