Cainan

:spit: THAT is classic. I just couldn't see kids of today hyping on a goldfish. I remember in California somewhere one of our baritone players was having some sort of wierd spasms during retreat. He kept violently shaking his head when we should have been at parade rest. As we wore black shakos with whit plumage it was VERY noticable. The Horn Sgt comes over to find out what the hell this guys problem is. He (the Horn Sgt) grabs another of our baris, Clint Matsen and of go Clint and Steve (spasm boy). Turns out that a moth the size of MOTHRA had fllown about an inch and a half into Steves skull via his EAR! But to Steves credit, he never made any noise even with Mothra tickling his brain. I am certain that had Clint not taken him to the medics, he would have just stood there and took it! HARDCORE!!

I went with 1976 Capitol Freelancers - My Alumnus' first go at DCI FINALS 1979 North Star - Pretty killer show 1980 Spirit of Atlanta - Let it Be Me 1982 Sky Ryders - They looked like Redneck pimps but had a killer show. La Virgin De La Macarena is an awsome old school chart 1985 Star of Indiana - Birth of greatness and a very entertaining show before Star took themselves so seriously 1987 Garfield Cadets - Drum corps greatness. A perfect marriage of music and visual the likes of which we would be hard pressed to see again. The emotion was amazing 1990 Dutch Boy - Their one and only appearance in The Big Dance and I really liked the show. 1992 Crossmen - My all time FAVORITE dci show. A definite breakout season for Bones and this show grips you from the first note and never lets go. The ending was simply exquisite.

I wish them nothing but the best. I have always liked Crossmen. Infact, Songs For Planet Earth is my all time FAVORITE show hands down. I just think that 2007 is gonna be a bit rough for them. Here's hoping I am wrong.

Too many to mention... One that stands out was playing a victory concert in 87 when Garfield wasnt able to make a show because of bus troubles. It was then just us and Bridgemen and it was a foregone conclusion. I think it may have been Port Huron. After a season of getting our ### handed to us every night it was nice to be the rock stars if only for a fleeting moment. Other moments include... First DCI Nats in 87 88 when we were actually pretty good Sevierville Beating VK for the first time in 89 3 words...Texas, Batman, 1990 1991, being good, I mean really good, I mean better than we thought we were when we beat Santa Clara in Brass Performance 1992, being the man along with Clint when all the supervets aged out in 91. 1992 first solo and hearing Karl Sarff shout my name at finals 1992... Making finals, by 0.1 over the Glassmen and fulfilling my promise I made to myself at Semis in 87. Because it was THERE that I promised myself that come Hell or highwater I would AGE OUT as a DCI Finalist WITH the Freelancers! Having done it at Madison where my drum corps career began made it all the sweeter!

Ah... Good times. My horn was TRASHED! B)

39 vets? 95 Rookies? (be they drum corps rookies or not, that is still 95 CROSSMEN rookies... Not a lot of year on year chemistry there) Finals??!! Are you kidding me? No chance I am afraid. If I am wrong I will publicly eat my shorts on YouTube!

Reading another thread got me thinking about how they dodnt do full retreats anymore and what a shame that is. Back when I marched retreat was just as mucha part of the experience if you know what I mean. This got me thinking that a thread dedicated to "Tales of Retreat" might be kinda fun and also let todays marching members get a bit of a taste of what they were missing (assuming they ever come in here and hang out amongst us dinosuars!). I remember all the good times we (Freelancers) used to have with VK. I remember VK's contras were the main instigators. We used to come out all frickin hardcore and these clowns would be swinging an ET doll ona rope (by the neck of course) over our entire hornblock, or toss Reeses Pieces at us etc etc. They also used to take the #### out of our breath checks. All in good fun of course. I also remember us high mark timing on 128 bananas on the field at Arrowhead in 89 after ET kicked their banana arses all over the place at Finals (LOL). I remember the bruised ribs from "Line Brawling" with SCV and all the banter that came out of Devs block. I also remember that some of the biggest Line Brawls came from of all corps.... The Bandettes??!! Oh well, I digress, I just wanted to get the party started here. I think this one could be kinda fun!

It IS a real shame... Half of my stories involve retreat. Perhaps I should start a new thread.

Does anyone remember that the Marauders had a chick in their guard who was in Playboy? We in the Freelancers certainly did :P

No offense intended, but I dont think that kids today would be able to handle drum corps of the mid eighties. We just did it "differently (some might say "hard corps") back then. In the Freelancers, we hyped on breakdowns.

WRONG. I can assure you we most certainly did NOT make finals in 88. 89.....yes. 88.....NO.

And - it would appear their equip truck. Noticed a Freelancers connection there in none other than Paul Zimny. Amazing

I for one think they are effective. The colors really POP.

I make that 73 brass.... WOOHOOOOOOOO!!! Troopers are playing with the big boys again!

I think it could be argued thet the Bluecoats have ALREEADY made that jump. I said it 2 seasons ago, Bluecoats will win their first championship by 2010.

I changed the topic title because at first glance, it seemed to indicate a double fatality to the Crossmen alumni rather that their dog.

And yet another in the long line... As far as the corps status for 2007 goes, I wish them the very best and hope they achieve all that they set out to do. That said... The concept of having a beef with Corps X and coming on to DCP as a rookie poster to slag them off is getting old. Topic closed. <**>

Well, until such time as they do, I am closing this thread. When we have answers, then by all means, discuss away, but I am not leaving this thread open so the rumor and innuendo can start. We have been down this road before, and I can assure you, THIS road leads nowhere nice.

FREELANCERS Born on all the strength of our past... Passion in our hearts will forever last... Black Knights in challenges of life, We are strong we never give up the fight. Through any struggle we'll carry on... Our heart and soul will always keep us strong. Even when everything seems to go wrong, We'll have each other to lean upon. Amen. Sung to the music of Born Again (Freelancers, 84, 85 and 87)

Should have been more specific... The TEXAS HIGH SCHOOL BAND girls loved him!

Modified the original post to add hyperlink.

From a purely "showman" perspective, I would also add Chad Humpal of the Freelancers (90-92?) to the mix. We couldnt ever keep his tempo as it was all over the place, but he had FANTASTIC hair (we're talking a proper bouffant!) and the girls loved him!

My name was Tumor because I marched spot B9.

That said, even though he was in Bermuda shorts, a tank top and sandals, Mr Moto WAS still wearing the Aussie!

I should let you all know that Mr Moto sightings will be down for the next week or so because he is partying with all the Spanish chicks in Spain, more specifically, Ibiza. I boarded him onto a flight at Manchester (UK) Airport. Said that after the intense season, he needed to cool his jets with sun, sea and sangria!