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parkbench

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Posts posted by parkbench

  1. Actually, there were two other theme shows in 1971: Scouts "Alice" show (w/ costumes) and Garfield Cadets Revolutionary War theme. Interestingly, the use of costumes and gags on the field by the '71 Scouts and Cavaliers anticipated the costumed shows of the Bridgemen a few years later.

    I stand corrected, Dan. Thanks for reminder. Loved those shows as well!

  2. Sorry but your otherwise excellent (and consistently thoughtful over the years) review lost credibility when you proclaimed (Cavaliers) you "didn't make it back in time" to actually see them but felt you could infer performance against others. They too have made daily strides to adjust and fine tune; last nite throwing down improving product. AND, like many here ridicule their attempt to innovate and risk-take (not unlike BD, Cadets, et al) while concurrently equilibrate SCV reincarnation as "Santa Claraliers". I respect and appreciate all the competition but have to take exception to biasness if not "kick'em when down" attitudes.

  3. Percussion judge in Rockford must have had his ear plugs piercing his brain with the scoring he penned.

    Absolutely no comparison in content between SCV, Bloo, Cavaliers to Devils and Crown particularly. I've seen Cadets do their book year in year out; lots a notes but generic bland. And I'm referring to batteries and pits as well their ensemble integration plus support then of the musical program.

    Execution. Essentially same comment and ranking thoughts above with perspective of technique, expression and simply "clean".

    I watched all the above several times now in the lot as well on field. IMHO, SCV, Cavies/Bloo, BD, PR, Cadets, Crown.

    It was just painful to read the inconsistentcy in drum recaps.

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  4. IMHO, Cavaliers have not practiced, promoted any real rivalries since the 60's (several EAST corps, and the local competitive neighbors like Royal Airs, Norwood, Nisei). Rockford, Madison and Bluestars were always respected competitors and friends as has been SCV in a very playful sense too. We mostly operate(d) as the fun-loving fraternity house that would rather wink at school rules (outside the corps rules) especially if we could get the women or at least a jolly rancher food fight for giggles. Now, with that said, there is absolutely no love lost with Concord -- totally polar opposites in philosophy, attitude, approach, competition, etc. and this rivalry for many alums has become to a point of non-objectivity in anything and everything Blue Devil. My opinion and observation. And while I was specifically out-of-loop during STAR era, there was more disdain for their arrogance which is probably a similar attitude regarding relationship with CROWN recently.

    • Like 1
  5. click . click. click . click . click ... (the sound of us reeling one of our beloved inmates back in the usually locked alumni playpen Splooie.Org).

    John, come back now, John! Take your meds and calm down, Brother. Wash it down with the Green juice. Remember your initiate training when you feel a rush ... "you have a very nice drum corps" if you have nothing constructive to say.

    (Guys, someone take a break from Jillian's pre-party and unplug his keyboard again dang it! Sorry about that folks.)

  6. I concur ... the shows all seem to have detail(s) that get picked up with multi-cam quick shots supplementing the high-cam big picture.

    I was somewhat disappointed and surprised at camera teams production of Cavaliers; they missed many wide out shots of key transitions into key forms (e.g., the arrows pointing to rifle line, the undulating circles in Smile, closer climax, etc.) instead focusing on guard closeups. And the preshow was essentially mostly missed as camera stayed on Rondo talkfest. Also essentially ignored drumline and key pit feature in Smile. In general I think there has been tooooo much attention to dancers, prancers .. but that could be just my preference when watching shows.

  7. I wasn't going to chime in on this topic, but I find a ton of things wrong with these assessments.

    1. Adolph was in charge when Cavies started to rise once again.

    2. Cavies had many national titles prior to DCI ..and it took them many years to get back in the top 3 or 4, but once they did you couldn't get rid of them.

    3. 85 - 5th place. 86 - 3rd (with a GREAT show). 87 - 3rd (EVEN BETTER SHOW and my personal fav of theirs). 88 - Firebird (down year? no .. strongest year in DCI history up until now). 89 was the beginning of the formula that won them a title in 92.

    4. The "Formula" for the 2000's was not the same as the 90's.

    5. Listen to 87 and tell me that wasn't a monster show and horn line. I wish they still played like that .. and with Adolph back at the helm ........ I'm sure they will soon (I'm already seeing signs of it).

    omg did I just defend the Cavies?????????????????????? :thumbdown:

    Thank you.

  8. BD is no more innovative or the same than any other corps ... each have their mostly distinctive "styles" which over the years (and environ) have evolved and ebbed and flowed.

    I marched Cavies in '69 which was radically different than our circus show of '71 which was different than 80's, 90's, 00's with exception that content has always been founded in precision (Green Machine) marching, visuals, entertainment, solid drumming and aggressive guard around a unique portfolio/style of "book" or concept -- it's been the Cavie way which fans or foes simply come to expect. Similar stylistic hints with Garfield/Cadets, SCV, Phantom, Boston, Bluecoats, Blue Stars, and BD as well as newer-comers like Crown (lush horn, unique body movements), etc. Some years or era's developed better than others. But to characterize the staff's with connotation of inferiority or lack of roots, WOW. You reinforce a elitist attitude for your corps.

  9. I'd argue that this phenomenon is only possible if there is one corps' show that the entire crowd can rally behind. In 2008, there was Phantom and BD. There were other good shows, but imo no other GREAT shows. This year however, Everyone in the Top 6 seems to be putting out amazing productions, and the crowd is split in every which way. Every corps will get a friendly greeting at Finals and every corps will do well, but I doubt the crowd could rally behind one corps.

    Well, IMO Cavaliers Samurai show was certainly a great contender, and BTW, I think the only corps to knock BD off (Allentown) prior to finals week.

  10. Admittedly bias but objectively observing a growing groundswell of emotional connection, appreciation and support for Mad World; particularly as the guys are totally beginning to execute and sell it. Word on Souvie row (as a soft but typically accurate indicator of fandom) is Cavie merchandise and HSchooler dancing/ovating in stands is WAY up. Similar vibes to '08.

  11. THANK YOU! I thought I was the only one who voiced the opinion that SCV has, in recent years, taken on a Cavies affect. The drill moves, the style, all from Cavies. There were even instances where I recognized some Cavies drill moves literally LIFTED from previous Cavies shows. One was done in reverse, LOL.

    But more to the point, why wouldnt this be so? They have the former Cavies Director, and some staff, in the past few years.

    Also, this goes to the "identity" thing for me too. I too feel like if you listen to SCV, eyes closed, you can't tell who they are. Unlike BD, Phantom, Madison, Cadets, and many others. It's been like this for some years now.

    As for this year, I'm very disappointed in SCV, 'cause I gew up loving them, having them as my standard (perc), and now they score 10TH at Atlanta in perc?

    Ugh...!!

    There are some cute drill movements, isolated, but in between, there is not much at all, compared to the corps around & above them. Boston has more & harder stuff.

    Truth is, IMHO, looking at the sheets, I see SVC in 8th. BS has to clean the visual, and is doing it, but has passed SCV in most musical categores, and can hold their own with them in ones where they are close. The key is in the GE & Vis, which is where BS will clean & pass SCV, barring a miracle.

    AJMHO

    Ohhhhh Noooooo. You're all figuring out the hidden meaning within the Splooie code book .... influence and domination of all things drum corps in a Cavalier way by indoctrination through our 62+ years of infiltrating other corps' by our FMMs, Management, Staff and in some cases DNA !! SCV, Crown, Colts, and on and on. It's a mancharian drum corps takeover masterminded by Don Warren.

    /jokinz off

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