BlueStarsBari

Hey Everybody! Long time no post from me. So I figured you all were missing out so figure I would give you a show review. I attended Battle on the Border VIII in Van Buren, Arkansas. A short 50 min drive from my place in Fayetteville. It has been quite toasty in Arkansas (and many other places in the country), but we lucked out as it cooled to the upper 80's lower 90's with a slight cooling breeze that was much appreciated. The facility is very good as it has decently high stands and a large pressbox that provided plenty of shade until the sun had set. Ok now onto the show. Open Class Genesis - 1st 66.00 This was the corps first performance of the year. And it showed. I was quite impressed with the sound they put out at the beginning of the show. The theme was a bit hard to grasp...dreams and a circus??? There was a color guard girl running around and waving a lot as the main character. They lost some energy as the show progressed, but overall a good first performance and def has room to grow and expand. We will see where they take it. On a random side note...not sure how much I did a uni with purple and red on it. World Class Seattle Cascades - 6th 67.30 Very bright to say the least. I do like their new uniforms much more distinctive than previous ones. The Seattle Sounders Green plumes are kinda ######. Again another show I had a hard time grasping. They have a bright orange box at midfield and several other cubes. I am not a huge prop guy....but if you must have them use them...they moved the the cube around a bit, but did not add to the show. The center box they at least used to hide members and did some other stuff with it. They seem to write the drill around the box or it was just added in as sometimes the members were playing behind and into it. Odd I thought. Overall it was ok. There are some solid hornline moments and the drumline did there thing. If I had to guess I would say 18-19 at Indy. Pioneer - 7th 66.00 This is a case where props are not a bad thing as they shrunk the field, which Pio needed this year. Very small size overall, which is a bit disappointing. They had some decent hits and the snare were quite loud...mainly because there are no tenors just snares (a lot of them) basses and plates. The music was not bad, kinda unmemorable. Overall I just do not know, I hope Pio will start to have some growth again and some success. 20 at Indy Colts - 5th 74.55 First off not really digging the lighting bolt on the unis. But onto their show. This was the first show I was actually really able to get a theme of what was going on. The horns were producing a big sound, but a lot of the time that big sound was sounding forced. I was quite impressed with the drums they def seemed to be the strongest section of the corps tonight. Visually it was not super exciting, but that can always change. Right now I would say 13-16 in Indy. Scouts - 2nd 82.350 First off love the unis. And now Welcome back the Madison I know and love. While there is always going to be scoring and pleasing the judges. There is something to be said for a very entertaining, high energy show. This was it (also props for not using props) Holy tubas was one of my first thoughts and was backed up on the first hit. The whole show was really entertaining and kept me drawn in the whole time. Horns were rocking, percussion had a alot of action and the pit members were all over the field and joined by the colorguard at the end, and the colorguard was also very good. Dare I say that this reminded me of some vintage Madison, which is not a bad thing at all. I did wonder as I will about a few other shows is how much more growth this show will have as the season finishes up. Right now I think they will be in that 7-10 area. Blue Knights - 3rd 81.40 This was my surprise of the evening. I was very entertained by the Blue Knights. I can honestly say that is the case. I had always liked their sound, but this is one of the first times I was overall entertained by a BK show. The hornline was great and very good drill for BK. I do not remember anything sticking out about percussion and guard so will call that a wash. This is a show that I felt has some growth and should pleasantly surprise people as they see it. This should be another 7-10 show at Indy Blue Stars - 4th 80.15 This was the most intense show of the night. If you have not seen it, there is so much going on in every section. There is the ramp on the field but used well and not too much of a distraction as some props can be. I did watch the corps rehearse during the day so I probably noticed more than I did with other corps. Compared to the other shows I saw tonight this felt the most exposed of them all. I mean this by saying there are many points where different sections are taking center stage. This can be a very big risk versus reward, but I think it is def a reward in this case. Guard had some cool work, which means I noticed it which is big for me. Percussion features were well integrated with the show and not overkill with synth. There was some dirt (again watched rehearsal so was kinda looking) This show reminded me a bit of 06 Bluecoats which I enjoyed. I would say that this is the show I have enjoyed the most since 08 Blue Stars. Of all the corps this show has the most room for growth in my opinion. Right now I would say 7-10, but it would not surprise me if the placement is higher at Indy. Phantom Regiment - 1st 84.90 On Phantom how I remember the days of thinking you had the most ###### uni. That was not the case tonight. The crest does not add and just makes the uni seem cluttered on the chest. Ok got that out. This was a very what I consider typical Phantom show. The brass sound was amazing as I have come to expect from them and the crowd really enjoyed. I did have to keep telling myself that this was not 2006, as the whole show I just kept thinking "wow this show keeps reminding me of their Faust show" I do not have alot to say again I felt it was typical Phantom. I will also say that along with Madison I wonder how much more growth this show will have as the season nears its end. I would say 5-7 at Indy. Just a few overall thoughts. Good crowd who seemed receptive and fairly drum corps knowledgeable. Weather was good and glad that the heat did subside a bit. I do agree with the placements. I will say one thing I did like that Madison and BS actually pulled their speakers out and that allowed for a better listening experience with the pit and synth. Great show and thanks for the Van Buren HS for putting on the event and the other area schools for providing the housing sites. It it great that there is a show like this in this area and cannot wait til Battle on the Border IX!

The new Minnesota stadium would rock! Could do a big show in La Crosse before finals. Brand new stadium also. See here: http://www.wistca.org/uwltrack.html

My personal favorite this year...and I am biased. But the Blue Stars had a way cool shirt that had the corps old school shield on the front. Gotta love retro and I second the Troopers logo shirt. It is a close second.

World Class 1 Phantom Regiment 81.850 2 Blue Stars 79.500 3 Glassmen 76.400 4 Spirit 73.200 Open Class 1 Legends 60.400 2 Memphis Sound 58.000 Exhibition Music City Legend

I liked 2006 Blue Stars...prob more so for the context in which the show was performed. First year back in Div I....I mean World Class, and Last year with the buckles, cross straps, and red plumes. 92 Star and 02 Boston I also enjoyed. And I think you could even say that the 09 Blue Stars are up there. I love that it is Americana from a not standard view. Love the taps ballad also!

Ok. So everyone be kind this is my first review. And I will not be making many visual comments as I was sitting quite low at the show. Pre-show: I was treated to a wonderful performance of 1977 Blue Stars at their souvie trailer. Highly recommend people check that show out. Racine Scouts: They are doing the New York themed show. They are small, but they go out and perform and I give them props for that. Had good sop and bari solos. Colt Cadets: I will be very honest I have not seen these kids in a couple of years and I was very impressed. They were putting out some solid sound when they were standing and playing. Size wise they are doing very well also. I love that they went from the aussie style hats to shakos. Big improvement look wise. Very solid drumline and the colorguard was good also. The kids looked like they were having fun performing the show and have to love that. Pioneer: I will admit...I am an Irish music fan so have always liked hearing it from Pio. Having said that they have a good show this year. I have heard comments about how they are ahead of where they have been previous years, and I will concur. I did notice some players sticking out intonation wise (whether is the players or are they still on G's?) so that took away from the full horn sound. They did seem to be running on fumes at the end of the show, but that will be improved as the season rolls along. Overall I think they are doing a great job and hope they keep pushing as the season continues. Spirit: Still not a fan of the new unis...sorry. Past that. Was not a super memorable show (well except for the wrong reasons). When the hornline played they were really good. Therein was a problem as the hornline was either not playing or were being covered up by the percussion. Not a fan of the electric bass. I get the concert concept...but did not dig it. The beginning was actually quite clever, but seemed to drag on. Maybe just cut some of the breaks between each one to help the flow. And I was sitting low (so might be different from higher), but the drill seemed very vanilla. It just did not seem there was alot of movement of the drill. I did also like the use of the steel drum that was pretty cool. I see thing being in the dog fight that will happen for the last few finals spots. Madison: This is a crowd pleaser and I do hope that this show makes finals just for the fact that it would be a great show to get the crowd going in the 11-12 spot. Which I think it will be. Very entertaining and the first corps of the night that i was getting the wall of big full sound which was nice. As many others have commented the use of Malaga. I loved the teases of it throughout the show. Very clever. This is the first time in awhile I felt that I was starting to see visions of the middle/late 90's Scout shows which I loved. They were getting a little gassed at the end of the show, but as stated earlier that will improve as the season progresses. The sashes do also work with the unis. I see this as a 12th place show, I love when I am just entertained by a show and this delivers. INT: Did not actually win tonight....they were giving out area musician awards. Cool for the kids, but dragged on a bit. Blue Stars: I will admit I am biased as this is my former corps. But I love the changes which have been made uniform wise. They look great on the field. I have read before and I agree that the BS are starting to develop a sound that is recognized as Blue Stars. Being low at the show I did not get it as much as I did at the rehearsal I watched earlier. (When you pull up and get goosebumps getting out of car from the chord=good thing). Very solid show musically and I look forward to seeing what happens visually as the show and members progress. The ending was not super exciting, but there is a new ending in the works so that will be cool to see. The props do work....am I a fan....on the fence, but they use them creatively (minus the clothesline in the back field...never did get what was going on there) and I would like to see some movement of props so the corps can fill the field. Guard was awesome to watch on the field, a big big improvement great job! But this is a great show, and I feel a step up from Le Tour. I think that with the cleaning and everything coming together, this show could move up into a top 6 spot. Right now 7-8. Cavies: I was preparing for a mezzo forte show like I have been reading about. I was quite impress with the sound they were putting out. I was a cavies show, very good visually, some the pulling at the beginning was reminding me of 2006. Guard was great as usual, and I was very impressed with their drumline that was sticking out in a good way to me. I give them mad props for the bottle use. That was my highlight of the show. I do not see this show winning, but I think that with cleaning and improvement it can be a top 3 show. Phantom: It was a Phantom horn line and solid drumline. Past that I was very underwhelmed by their show. The design and theme just did not really come through to me. I did not feel they were telling the story like they have in the past. The guard seemed like a step down from the last 3 years to me, just not what I have come to expect. And what was weird and not sure if I just never noticed it before, but on every move the horns bells were all over the place. To the point it was a bit distracting. I found that odd or maybe it was just me. The new unis are ok...I think the DMs need to replace with silver with a shiny black at least and on the corps the white hides alot on the field. I really do not know where this show will place, right now I would say 5th maybe 4th. I could see them getting caught and possibly dropping further if there are not some show changes. Colts: Still love the new unis. They were very amped up for their home show. Little to much at times, but loved the energy. I saw there were some electronics issues. Gotta love technology. Good show I really liked it. The percussion is very good for them this season. Hornline was putting out some sound, though this might be a little step back difficulty wise. From a drill standpoint, I feel this is another show that might not be able to compete for a finals spot. I hope that this is not the case and they prove me wrong. Right now I still see them in the shootout. Overall a great show. Cool and overcast. Stands were completely packed, they were putting overflow on the grass beside the stands and there were quite a few watching from the backside bleachers. Great show and great crowd!

won't lie that just made my day!

the la crosse, wi show will be back. they were redoing the stadium at uw-la crosse this summer.

the irs will get you if you do not report that dollar though....

Overhyped: I will have to say Phantom...which I really do not like to say, but to me is is an ok show. I don't find it to be really groundbreaking or a bench mark that be used in the future. It is a good show, but just not like was said earlier the second-coming of drum corps. This isn't really an overhype thing, but I think with Cavies, it is turning into a competition with previous shows. And having watched this year's show. It is good...it is Cavies. That is where it loses me. To me that Cavies style is amazing and fun to watch, but this year just doesn't seem to be the innovation of past years. Underhyped: Bluecoats...I am old school. I love a show that entertains me. 99 scouts, 03 and 06 phantom, 04 scv.and 06 bluecoats (off the top of my head) I like the show design and it is really a show I am into the whole way. I like it. In all honesty this year I am impressed becuase there is really alot of hype out there for many of the corps this year. I think as a whole show wise it is a solid year. But these are just my opinions.

they are figuring out that the "blues" are getting ready to make the move to the front. just look at the increase in blue man group shows across the country.....

Good Luck! It is great to see another corps coming into the activity. But just want to echo the previous posts. Be smart and have a solid plan. While year one is great the next 2-3 really show the meat of the corps. We are in a reality that even well established and popular corps can have issues and troubles. It is also not a bad thing to be in the open class and build a solid foundation. But again good luck and hopefully see you on the field!

i have done jcss....it was band...

think it will be between them and bac for 8-9. blue stars possibly in the the mix there too.

i am still way suprised (in a good way) esp with the show order tonight. Tour De France on now.....hmmmm....Seems coinciding!