gellio

You SHOULD be VERY proud of the Bluecoats. They have come such a long way since 2000...and they are one of the corps I enjoy most. It's just that this has turned into Bluecoatsplanet then when someone offers an objective review that happens to discuss the lack of demand in the Bluecoats drill - he's put in front of a firing squad. I am sure their show is very well designed - but design can only take you so far. If corps A and B perform at the same level, the bigger marks should go to the corps with more demand. I mean I haven't even seen the shows. My friend said Cavies do a lot more in their show than Bluecoats (or Phantom) and they're already beating them. She also said Phantom's show was her absolute favorite. I can't wait to see everyone.

I understand where they are coming from because they have high hopes for this season, but opinions are opinions! I think the Scouts learned their lesson from the past two years about peaking early. Will they get that beast under control? I hope so, but that remains to be seen. You're not the only person that has said Bluecoats drill is less than demanding. I have a good friend in the midwest who has seen everyone and she thinks, "Cavies and Phantom are going to bury Bluecoats at finals". She also said she isn't sure Madison's going to be able to pull this show off! We'll see.

True but they can also bring big rewards. Star 1990, SCV 2000, almost any Cadet show, many Cavies shows, some Phantom shows. You want to win - your show has to be difficult.

It's just because you said something negative about the Bluecoats! Whatever, you were totally objective. Your review was objective..read the definition again. People need to re-read how you discuss the visual (color guard, drill) and musical woes of the Scouts right now. You haven't said anything others haven't, including their potential. You also raved about the Bluecoats guard and percussion. Give me a break - your review was one of the better ones I've seen this year. It's your objective opinons, and everyone's are going to be different. People complain about the cotton candy reviews but then get all up in arms about and honest AND objective one! One thing you missed was talking about the Scouts UGGO guard unis! :P

Well that's not fair!!!!! I've never seen them rehearse. Guess I'll throw my support towards other corps and boo Phantom!!!! <joking of course>. That just blows - I'd love to listen to segments of their show over and over. Why the closed rehearsals?

Based on spreads, that would imply that Bluecoats are even with Cadets, and Phantom is 2 points back. I seriously doubt that is reality. There will be less than a point between them, and I bet the Cadets win!

Phantom has guys in their guard? Only 6?

Well of course everyone wants to win, I just don't think they're going to :P IMO it'll come down to Cavies, BD, or Cadets as it always does. I hope I'm wrong.

Yes, didn't you know that? <sarcasm off> It always cracks me up when people say that or "Corps A is hungry." If you think the Cadets and Cavies don't want to win - think again!

I actually think the Cadets will win. The spread between them and Phantom is about the same as that between the Cavies and Bluecoats, and Phantom and Bluecoats are pretty even (based on their last meeting - so assuming that hasn't changed). I think it's going to be very close, but after tonight there will only be two undefeated corps left - the Cadets and Blue Devils.

Doi, I know that. I'll probably end up watching SCV all day and night anyway :P

Good point! I am sure there are people who love it. We all love things others think we are crazy for loving and visa-verse. However, it's just cheesy! "Seasons of Love" was cheesy and completely ruined an otherwise magnifcant show (for me anyway).

I think those a false assumptions. We went to Europe in '88 and look what happened. BD went there a few years ago too, didn't they? You may have more free days in Europe, but at least we had far less travel time in between destinations. We got a lot of practice time in. I hardly doubt anything would give BD a false sense of security. How could one corps have a false sense of security with the Cadets and Cavies looming. Come on. BD being in Europe had nothing to do with their 4th place finish. Other factors, such as a weak show design (comparitive to their usual), and lower performance level, and a strong Phantom Regiment led to their 4th place finish - not Europe.

In 1984 everyone was at Whitewater, in 1985 everyone was in Allentown. I believe 1987-1990 were a few of the years back then where everyone wasn't together - then Preview of Champions came in in 1991. I liked that format - everyone going head to head the same day - better than this split it into two shows garbage they have now. Of course, if they split them into those who sing and those who don't, most would only have to go one night!

Sorry, I meant where are the corps staying? How can Phantom have closed rehearsals?

Well DCI finals attendence numbers are not what they used to be - that's a fact! I'm sorry, but if everyone (or even a majority of the corps) started singing and doing a lot of other vocalizations, I would not waste my good money by attending finals. Tickets are so expensive, and frankly I do not find it entertaining....3rd rate singers attempting to sing is not entertaining IMO.

It's not an issue of amps for me - it's the vocals that have come with them. It is just not well done. The Cadets were amazing last year, yet they would have been awe-inspiring (IMO) without all that vocal garbage.

I agree and it's up to those other individuals to choose the path their corps takes. Phantom, SCV, and Madison (to name a few) use amps wisely (in my opinion) and are still giving us great drum corps shows. I don't have a problem with amps, I have a problem with singing in drum corps.

Hey, it's cool. I'm cool. I can dish, and I can take. But, I dish in the open and I take in the open! In all reality, I will sit through all shows at finals and I will applaud for the Cadets and not laugh at them, but sometimes I get so ###### at the vocals, because I think it ruins the effect - especially amp'ed vocals and especially when it's the Cadets! They are one of my favorite corps and it just frankly sucks that they are heading down this road.

Ok, whatever! Hide behind your anonymity - you are certainly entitled to.

When does housing information for finals usually become available? I want to bum around finals week and check out some practices. I am sure Madison will be in Whitewater. I'm definitely planning to check out Phantom, Bluecoats, and SCV.

Where and when did you march? Think what you want, but my favorite memory of '88 was the crowd going nuts at the end of our show and when SCV was announched in 2nd. And that was saying a lot because SCV had an incredible show that year. Win or lose, the crowd made the memory. Yeah, Scott Stewart was able to convince the judges to give us 1st. It was the only year in DCI history when politics played in his favor rather than against him. If you're going to knock me, at least come out from behind your computer and say who you are and how you are affiliated with drum corps. Just an FYI - I've never bought politics in drum corps (for or against any corps, at any time). My comment above was facetious...because we all know many posters here (esp. in 2002) talked about anti-Scott politics. It's ridiculous to think a judge would "punish" a group of people who have worked so hard for any reason.

I just miss the Cadets doing what they do best - marching and playing. They've put together a string of some of my favorite shows ever ('82, '84, '84, '86, '87, '90, '91, '92, '93, '96, '98, '01) just marching and playing. They are one of the best in the business. I just don't know why they have to do ridiculous vocals.

Exactly, because the designers are freakin' idiots who need their heads examined. Hey, if the Cadets are first coming into finals this year, at least I'll get a good 15 minute break before final. I'll watch them during Quarters so I can get a good laugh in.

It's all speculation, but hopefully the designers of Star would have more sense than those of the Cadets. Thank God for some of the great ones that keep drum corps drum corps. I would love for Simon Cowell to judge those corps who insist on vocals. Reading his comments would be hysterical.