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If I get to a Cadets' camp, I probably will do the same. Without signing a waiver. LOL. Because if I said "Cadets have the best horn line I've ever heard from them... drum line should go undefeated... and the guard would win WGI IW".... then perhaps only a few folks would believe me.

I went to Boston’s camp in February 2018 in Lakewood Ranch. Out of respect for them, I divulged nothing.

The fact that someone thinks Thank You Scientist is a mainstream pop band only interested in fame is absolutely hysterical to me.

You should probably look up this group you seem to have immense disdain for. They are insanely talented, and lovely people that also went out of their way to have a little fun with the Bluecoats. Their music has wide range, and is most definitely within progressive jazz. That's not what all the kids are going out and listening to generally. If you don't like one of their songs, give another a listen. It's also totally cool if they're just not for you. This group also came to support the Bluecoats during finals week in 2017 when they were playing some of their music at that time, so there is history between the two. Life is better when you try to enjoy it. Have some fun.

I did say they stepped up the demand (they did), the talent level was higher (it was), and that they were going to medal (I was off by one year 😉). I think they’ll medal this year.

I would have to respectfully disagree. I'm was not familiar with this band and certainly not this specific song. That being said, I don't think I would call it insipid even though I didn't find specifically interesting musically. So I checked out some of their other stuff. Is it my style now? Not really, but that doesn't diminish the talent of that group or their desire to reach out across genres and bridge musical gaps. I've seen everything from The Dead to Richard Cheese in concert. Nobody can (or should) tell you what to like or not like....post or not post etc. But to be fair, just because it doesn't fit your style doesn't make it bad. I remember thinking when I was a young man, that Gregg Bissonette was essentially a talent-less hack because of his look and who he was playing with. It wasn't until I saw him perform at PASIC and then a few months later with the Buddy Rick Orchestra that I realized what an immense talent and feel he has for jazz. Just because you don't dig one style doesn't mean the performer(s) is one dimensional. I realized in that moment that I was the one being one dimensional and that I needed to expand 1) my personal knowledge of the performer and 2) my understanding of music that just wasn't my taste.

I've learned to basically ignore what he says at this point.

It doesn't matter who was POPULAR we didn't sink so low as to play POP. We listened to good progressive music which was never popular but none of that mattered as we were actual musicians who didn't care about hitting it "big". Back then it was about the MUSIC not being popular. People who pay 200 dollars for sneakers generally fall for what is popular and simple. All those "prog" bands as they call them now days played lots of notes and sought to stimulate minds rather than sell drinks and trinkets. If my corps was to collaborate to who was popular back then I would have quit without notice.

If I get to a camp in Oxford, I won't divulge any show details.... but from experience there I can tell you a place where you can get some really good pizza, and another spot in town with terrific craft brews. I hope that doesn''t stir up anything online.

This statement doesn’t even make sense. Like what sets the two apart is with whom they may or may not collaborate? I don’t think I’m able to roll my eyes enough. Lol.

I hope you will excuse me for not sharing your opinion.

The Bluecoats performing with their friends Thank You Scientist. This is soooo cool. Bloo does know how to have fun 🙂

don't let facts ruin a good rant

apparently "stupid" is in the eye of the beer holder

Ultimately, I think anyone who has respect for these corps keeps mum (for the most part) - members included. I'm surprised people can gather much from going to the some of the camps anyhow! My own MM won't even tell me the color of the uniforms. I get to find out with the rest of ya'll!! 😛

I guess over time with constant critiquing and it not being positive, but more of “you should do this or that” or “why do that when you can do this”; you get tired of it. And MM’s do get impacted seeing all the peanut gallery comments. That’s where it hurts a corps. Since the peanut galleries won’t shut up, not giving out all the info is the position corps now take.

Well, since this is a Cadets thread, we can use them as an example here to possibly answer your question you posed for us, imo In 2011, the Cadets in preseason in April( or May) allowed free access via computers and cell phones to national Drum Corps fans of their 2011 show in an outdoors standstill performance in street clothes at their practice facility by Brass and Percussion. At least half the 2011 season's show was played in the standstill performance. Afterwards, there was critique here on DCP re. what was heard. Just like any post show discussion in season, there was both both positive and negative commentary and assessments of what was heard played by DCP'ers here. What was the effect of the commentary ( particularly the negative comments ) upon the Corps, staffers, 2011 Cadets marchers ? Apparently 2 possible answers... 1 ) None whatsoever and/ or 2 ) the few negative comments proved a boost to the Corps Marchers that draw upon negative commentary to make them motivated to demonstrate that these particular fans wrong with their negative assessments with it. This can be the only 2 conclusions from allowing fans to this pre Memorial Day access to the standstill practice performance of the 2011 season's show from the Cadets as the Cadets won themselves a DCI Title that season of 2011 with a 98+ score. There was no visible downside to the Cadets allowing their show music to be played to national Drum Corps fans in that pre Memorial Day outdoors standstill performance by the Cadets in 2011. None. That said, so there is no misunderstanding, I'm not suggesting that all these DCI Corps need to play their show music for fans prior to Memorial Day. Just that even if they DID decide to do this, there is no evidence that this creates any negative effect on marchers, nor negatively impacts these Corps hopes for that season, if thats what the question becomes, anyway.

I never said they were not "Talented" (which itself is a fallacy better known as PRACTICE). I do and have many times called out BD for doing stupid stuff. Yowza. I thought Tommy was a lame show and would have been ten times lamer with vocals. Just because they are legal now doesn't mean you can't call them out. Session 44 was one of the very few instances where a vocalist actually did work. The only thing missing from this band is a bunch of Murses and a fixie bike. I am unrepentant in calling out stupid crap. the new BD uniforms are even more a joke and they know I can't stand them. nice try.

How does this actually hurt the corps, though? Honest question. Seems like both of these points would be more of a minor annoyance than an actual detriment to a corps - for those in the corps that actually come on here, which they all say they don’t (or do they??). I would think the benefit gained from these points would not outweigh alienating fan bases with the cone of silence. Again, honest question.

Very, very valid points both. The second point unfortunately still happens as folks will speculate on a show and then critique the speculation.

makes total sense to me!

holy cow...if they did this all year and no one said anything....

Even if it were a group like The Who, for example? What if BD had been able perform Tommy along side them— would you have barfed at that as well? I’m not trying to make a comparison between the two bands, but people have different tastes in music and just because something doesn’t fall within your own personal preference doesn’t make it automatically insipid.

Seems like it. POW just did a nice Dia de lost Muertos show.

Best thing I've seen on the internet all week. Thanks for posting! I'm going to have to check out this band now, has a little bit of a Zappa vibe to it.

Holy crap, Infinity. This show is pure fun. Circus theme with endless moments. When the tenors came out on those 8 foot stilts and did a marching forward feature I thought I'd lost my mind. Bass feature was super fun too, got the place clapping as they did their flip the basses and play across the heads thing.

That's what gets me, too. Do those folks sign a waiver or something....LOL

I agree with you and it is ridiculous to the extent of the silence. What is amazing about it is even folks who stop in on camps during the winter don’t say anything either. This day in age of gossiping and who can tweet or instagram before the other guy and with so much anonymity, silence prevails.

Oxford? Wow... that is on the way to my fiancee's house in PA. Might have to think about a side trip. LOL.

heck I'm not even saying show announcements - the cone of silence has gotten so ridiculous we don't even know how many tryout, when brass/drum lines set or how much show music learned just basics - you don't have to announce the rep in December IMO

barrrrrrrf! How insipid can you get? I just threw up.

In speaking with a corps director a couple of years ago it is twofold: they don’t want to announce a show they may not end up being able to perform as advertised. Secondly, they don’t want to hear from armchair designers and others, critiquing the show before it even gets on the field. and that does happen.