Tom D'Bomb

I remember the hats, that's for sure

This Sunday in Buffalo will be the first time I've seen Pioneer since my brother and nephew have been involved... can't wait! I DO remember seeing The Thing in '74 in Ithaca.

You're right Ray, a bunch of teams went belly up after buying a roomful of Bb horns. Now we have the DCA G11.

If you don't a mind a serious answer... I think a lot of old timers (like me) see that as drum corps has become more like high school mrching band, there are fewer drum corps around the country. SO, the problem (or "unjustified fear") is that young people who have backgrounds similar to ours may never get to participate in this great activity. In 25 years of marching, I never had to travel more 15 minutes to practice. Now there isn't junior corps within 5 hours.

Thanks - I don't where they heard that.

The corps looked great! Keep it going Auburn! TA Prime Time Brass

Someone asked me if they could buy tickets at the gate for DCA Finals in Rochester. I figured the answer was, "Yes, of course." But the person said they heard they couldn't. So I guess I didn't know for sure. Anyone know for sure?

I predict that if the Bucs win prelims by more than 3 points, LeBron James is going to sign with them for finals. (Joke explanation: LeBron James is a ring chaser)

You always have the right answer... what corps do you teach?

I've been asked to post this on DCP by Jodie (Kelsey) Wallace for all former members of the Auburn (NY) Purple Lancers. Full disclosure: I was not a member, my brother Donny was; I was 12 when they folded. They will gather in Rochester at the Dinosaur Resturant from 4-7, Friday Sept 3rd. The Auburn Purple Lancers are the ONLY New York State corps ever to make DCI finals - 1974, they placed 10th in Finals (9th was some new corps from Concord CA, and 11th was a group of upstarts from Rockford, IL).

I've been asked to post this on DCP by Jodie (Kelsey) Wallace for all former members of the Auburn (NY) Purple Lancers. Full disclosure: I was not a member, my brother Donny was; I was 12 when they folded. They will gather in Rochester at the Dinosaur Resturant from 4-7, Friday Sept 3rd. The Auburn Purple Lancers are the ONLY New York State corps ever to make DCI finals - 1974, they placed 10th in Finals (9th was some new corps from Concord CA, and 11th was a group of upstarts from Rockford, IL). Note to DCP moderators: This should probably be on the All Age Boards as well since it's happening during DCA Weekend.

We must fight the urge to assume DCA judges sheets from two different cities can be held to a standard of purity, consistency, and perfection.

Ya know, every time I log in, I wait for a few seconds to see if I'm truly free... and yes I'M FREE.... The original poster made a lot of sense... he defended both Bucs AND Empire. You would think that would bring the thread to a screeching halt, but no... it actually opened up layers and layers of analysis that would make Leonardo Decaprio's character in Inception go "wait... what?" The only thing I can add is on the topic of Empire "cheese"... The fact is that anyone who takes this SO seriously as to actually call Empire "cheese" would have to be so delusionally self important that they should be a food critic in Belfonte, PA. Dirty little secret: Empire's cheesy parts are actually some of the most creative collections of tongue in cheek "inside baseball" hints and themes that it is flat out ingenious. Don't believe me? Listen to Empire 1993. I mean really listen to it. Or Empire 1991 (is that Theolonius Monk? But I thought you were cheese). More recently, Empire 2009 is a revolutionary game changing redefinition of the lexicon of "patriotic" field music ... if you're just looking for an excuse to dismiss Empire as "cheese," then there is a chance the joke is actually on you, and you weren't sophisticated enough to get it.

Oh, it's on now... I crawled out of DCP jail Shawshank-style with Morgan Freeman narrating the whole time. If VOReason snitches that I'm too sardonic again, then I'll know he or she is "connected" to DCP or the Bucs. For the record Empire has been cool with Minny since day one... there wouldn't be a DCA I&E without those two corps bringing bus loads to the first I&E. We've done cruises with them, and we met half way (in Michigan 91) before it was cool. When we played Grand Old Flag on retreat in 96 Minny was the ONLY corps to rehearse with us. Minny is on the "Givers" list not like these other "Takers." Underground FREE TOM D'BOMB Tee Shirts now available.

And there you have it AFFECT vs. EFFECT .... It's EFFECT and if the EFFECT (or result) was to make the crowd roar then they were EFFECTive. And as of Dec of 1990, the Judge CAN let the crowd "affect" them...

Oh it's on now.... You gotta stop judging Empire by those practice videos from 6 weeks ago... the guard was wearing civies, and using last year's color pre flags (this year's practice flags)... they are broken into, what 6? different videos, and not even in order... I'm guessing they're from some rookie's Mom. - I'll say it - they're brutal. Go see a show for goodness sake...I haven't seen the Bucs so what do I know? Maybe they're boring. I wouldn't know that cuz I haven't seen them. Now don't go reporting me - you cyber-nark. FREE TOM D'BOMB T-shirts now available.

HELLLOO ! You haven't seen any shows...

Will VOReason be at ANY shows this year? Plus, identify yourself ... I have a problem with rabble rousers using fake names ... that SO Dial-Up Windows 95.

Donny's middle name is Charles. And EVERY other corps IS competing for 2nd behind the Blousemen. TWA

It's 57 bucks a seat and the same team wins every year. I don't blame a casual fan for thinking they've already seen this movie and choose to skip it this year. Prelims, Finals, Alumni... it is very close to the price of a 7 day Club Pass at the Jazz Fest. It's about value.

And there's the rub... Empire got applause DURING their show... that is the EFFECT or "result" they are looking for... You would be amazed by how many judges don't know the difference between EFFECT and AFFECT. "You really got the EFFECT you were looking for" versus "I was deeply AFFECTed by how gracefully your hornline does ballet." Engaging the audience should be rewarded... in fact, it is more deserving. Quote from Empire founder Vince Bruni (from around 1989-90-ish): "If you based your show only on impressing 9 judges, then pretty soon that's all you'll have in the stands."

LOL ... "Green Bucs Lite" I think Genesee brews a batch of that every November.

Ah Freedom.... part of my wife's birthday present was for me to stay off DCP from sundown on Saturday to sunrise on Monday.... I remember we (Empire) beat the Bushwackers by 7 in on July 12, 1992.... by 4 in Scranton (mid Aug).... then they beat us by 2.5 at DCA prelims (when the big flag ripped). The problem isn't that the Bucs might run away with it, the problem is when some teams tweak and start changing things and fight among themselves and show up every week with 3 minutes of sloppy new stuff they've only repped twice before competition.

Thanks for such a well done review.