greggmanX-Kingsmen

This is as old as the hills. One former director of the Anaheim Kingsmen used to bar overweight girls from the rifle line, and that was back in the mid-70s.

Drum Corps will die the day woodwinds are allowed.

That's what this former SCV told me. You asked and I just repeated what I was told.

I've been told by a former SCV member that Mike Mc Cool (former Kingsmen) is doing their show and it's based on lesser known works of Aaron Copeland.

You're stating the obvious. In terms of equipment work vs. dance, I'm speaking of what is emphasized. And, yes, I understand people may/will respond negatively as BDfan did. I won't melt.

The activity of Junior Drum and Bugle Corps is for the kids, it does not exist for me anymore since I'm over 21. The only thing that should count is if they are having a good time doing what they do and I'm pretty sure that's the case. If that includes dancing in Guard, as opposed to equipment work, good for them and I'm happy for them!!! That being said, it doesn't mean I have to enjoy watching what they enjoy doing. My opinion may be a "broad sweeping generalization" but it is MY opinion and I'll express it like you did yours; Guards today are a zzzzzz-fest but I never said they were "inferior" as you accused. You're a BD fan? I know plenty of former BD guard (and SCV) and they feel the same way; I'm not the only one.

No need to duck under your desk for saying there's too much dance and not enough equipment work in color guard these days. Modern guard IS boring to watch, a total zzzzzzzzzzzzzz-fest for me. I think it's because it's not unique. I can see dancing anytime/anywhere, from my 8-year-old's dance recitals, to ballet on T.V. almost 24/7. Equipment work using flags, rifles, sabers, etc. was unique to drum corps and exciting to watch. If I want to see dancing, I'll suffer through another performance of "Nutcracker" with the family at Christmas time. A little dancing mixed with equipment work is fine. Heck, even the Anaheim Kingsmen rifle line did a little jazz dancing way back in 77. Today’s guards have lost their uniqueness with way too much dancing and I don’t enjoy watching men in spandex.

Woodwind instruments belong in orchestras, jazz bands and marching bands, NOT drum corps. Death to the idea of woodwind instruments in Drum Corps. Even the mention of the idea is an abomination and subject to jihad.

1974 Anaheim Kingsmen. Thank you very much.

Zach, What you’re failing to grasp is the activity of drum corps, as wonderful as it is, is hazardous to your health due to the large amount of time spent exposed to the sun. There is no such thing as a “controlled environment” in terms of getting a tan so you won’t burn. Exposure to the sun with the resulting tan, or sunburn, will increase your chances of skin cancer. Period, end of story. I came home every year from tour with the Anaheim Kingsmen looking like the quintessential California surfer kid; blond and dark-dark-dark tan. I never burned either after the first week of tour. At 46 years old I’ve had almost my entire forehead burned off due to pre-cancerous cells caused by sun exposure. My Dermatologist told me if it gets worse I might be a candidate to have a chemical face-peel because burning off spots isn’t working to contain it all. We didn’t know how bad the sun was back in the 70s., but your generation has been warned.

I'm glad to see this thread has taken off. My purpose was to raise awareness of the dangers of being out in the sun for long periods of time without protection. Having a tan is still looked upon as "cool" when in reality a tan, any tan, is a sign your skin has been damaged. On my last visit to my Dermatologist, I had over ten spots on my face and ears burned off with dry ice. I looked like a monster afterwards and not very "cool". I'm paying the price now for being stupid. Anaheim Kingsmen 07

I'm in my mid-40s and marched with the Anaheim Kingsmen in the mid-70's. I constantly have to go to the Dermatologist to have pre-cancers spots burned off my face, shoulders, back and arms. I attribute it all to my years in drum corps and being in the sun from 10:00am to 10:00pm, in nothing but shorts and shoes. Moral of the story for you kids currently marching; cover up, or use SPF 50 sunblock. See you in Pasadena in 07.

Anaheim Kingsmen. Notice the rifle angles. See you in Pasadena in 07

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The Kingmen haven't marched in finals in over 30 years, been an "Associate Corps" in 28 years, or fielded a corps at all in 20 years. It's hard to find all those people that marched that long ago, let alone alumni that are willing and able to march again. SCV has been a consistent organization forever and has a much bigger pool of people to draw from than we do. If we want to let a percentage in the Kingsmen that never put the uniform on, we can, and we can call ourselves whatever we want. The bottom line is; we will enjoy performing again and treat the drum corps world to old-school, kick-###, drum corps.

WELL IT'S ABOUT DANG TIME!!!!! What good news! DCI Finals coming to Southern California! You folks that have never been to the Rose Bowl will love the stadium for it's beauty. However, for a Drum Corps show I'm not so sure. The site lines may not be that good because its not a very high stadium. The seating goes more out than up so you're not right on top of the corps. Good news too for the Anaheim Kingsmen Alumni who are trying to put together a show for that year also. Spectramur Adgendo

Hey RJB, I owe you an apology! I've seen the error in my ways and accused you of something one of my own bretheren did, not you. I apologize to you. Me dumb. Septramur Adgendo

What you just did is not fair. You went to an Anaheim Kingsmen site, exported his or hers' quote over here and then make a snide comment to them as if they will know to come to DCP and respond back to you? Mighty brave of you. I would have had more respect if you would have wrote what you did on the Kingsmen site. Why is it so difficult for some to understand and accept that there is a faction that finds today's version of Drum Corps..........lacking? Are you so insecure in your own opinion that you can't handle a dissenting view without a cowardly insult? Spctramur Adgendo

Not "tic-ing" IS excellence. Perhaps this is a generational argument.

The build up system isn’t based on the “whim of a judge”? Isn’t the build up system totally subjective, even more so than the tic system? At least with the tic system you know a dropped piece of equipment, or an obvious spacing error, will cost you a tenth of a point for each occurrence. I’d like to see a combination of both “build up” and “tic” used. As an old timer, drum corps shows today are more imaginative but also “dirtier” at the same time (especially snare lines in general, good Lord!) What do you want? More imaginative “dirty” shows, or cleaner (tic free) boring shows? I’d like to see something in the middle because the pendulum has swung too far in the first direction. Clean is beautiful and so is "being the least wrong" Excecution should be rewarded at least as much as imagination.

Oh, #### no. They're a poor man's Bridgemen.

I bring the topic up because I miss the tic system. With the tic system, almost anybody could win on any night if they were only separated by a point or two coming into any show. I offer as an example the difference in placement between prelims and finals in 1972 and 1974. Can’t DCI do a combination of a “build up” system AND “tic” system? It would provide more drama/suspense at finals in my opinion. (Disclaimer: I’m an old Anaheim Kingsmen who hasn’t been interested in Drum Corps since the mid 70’s. Only the recent D.C.I. countdown movie has reawakened my interest)

They just don't make em like that anymore. Look at those rifle angles......perfection.

.......................(sniff).....The one, the only, The Anaheim Kingsmen (1st DCI Winners) and their (our) AWESOME rifle line...... Linda Markham Brenda Markham Diedrie Dietel Peggy Mc Cool Debbie Johnson Tori Wyatt Kathy Mc Laughlin Debbie Bevins Kate Hill Debbie Munoz et al. I salute you! Spectramur Adgendo