tim_brandt

It's happening, folks. Don't fight it. You know you want some bloo w/ your gold.

I think they'll get it right come finals night. Couple weeks left.

I think I have an idea. I think the second half of it is the problem. I mean, they got the 'blue' half of it right, the second half just needs to be changed to 'devils' & then it'll be all good.

I think you could be right. The challenge for the design team would be to come up w/ another top caliber show & demonstrate consistency of excellence. I have to admit, though, that this year's show feels like one of those 'lightning in a bottle' years. This is not in reference to their ability to repeat this success, just a commentary.

You clearly need some more Pitch Blend Propaganda. I sentence you to re-education. 20 more pages of this pitch blend forum. ... as soon as we finish writing them.

Awwww, quit your Pitching. (terrible)

I apologize. I always get those 2 'P' words mixed up. My bad.

Pitch Bend - all the kids are doing it. "Let's Pitch Bend ... like we did last Summer..."

This is gold, my friend. Well done.

Yes - I think the Cadets are an amazing group this year. My only commentary was on the Americana theme. Just feels beat to death to me, but only my opinion. That aside, the group does indeed look like a championship-level corps. Most certainly, yes.

Cool - and I respect your opinion.

I remember pay phone lines & drum corps world my rookie year in '96. By my age out in '00 a few people had cell phones and we just marveled at them. I remember the few that did took photos on the field @ finals in their uniform on their phone. It was a novelty. This does not seem that long ago. I guess this must be what it feels like to get old???

Amen.

Not to knock Cadets, and this completely personal, but I just feel like I've had enough American propaganda in my short lifetime. I feel like these Americana shows pander to the audience and reek of desperation. I realize that this might offend some people, but it's just my personal feelings. Nationalism is so passé'. That being said, Cadets perform the hell out of their show. I just don't care for the theme.

This is what he said. This is what Irving, 'Fan of the Arts' said. (just messing with you) :)

Again - very similar to PR & Crown in their championship years. Don't worry, the bandwagon will get loaded up in the end. (I believe so, anyway)

I say yes, but then again, I've been saying it since my first viewing, so I probably sound like a broken record. The Bluecoats have the intangible on their side this year & the full support of the crowd. It fully reminds me of PR '96/'08 & CC '13 in that respect. As such, if they 'remove all doubt', and clean the show, I can see momentum & crowd response propelling them to Gold Championships week. That being said, we have a monster top 5 this year, and Cadets / BD are certainly forces to reckon with. But, what Bloo has this year is that special something, and I see it being very powerful down the home stretch. I see them no lower than Silver, and I think that there's a good chance that they'll surprise everyone and take the top prize. Irrespective of placement, their show is just plain amazing, and is certain to live on and influence the activity, going forward. This show makes a statement away from the conceptual & cerebral & harkens back to the core elements of music & form with a simple hook as a drum corps motive. I can't wait to see the final product in the theater.

Hey - I just wanted to share a thought that's been on my mind since first watching the Crown preview show a few weeks ago. I just wanted to say that it's really cool all the risks Carolina Crown is taking this season and the general spirit of exploring new territory in drum corps. Winning your first Championship definitely affords you some opportunity, and it's cool that the staff has decided to be so adventurous. We definitely cannot accuse Crown of being boring or safe. Kudos guys, it's great to see groups push boundaries or just try new things to see what will work. I, for one, appreciate it very much. I have a lot of respect for CC's staff, and I trust that this year has been a great learning experience for staff & members alike. It's pretty awe-inspiring what the corps has put on the field in recent years. Nice work.

Post San Antonio Update (grouped by tiers) : Still sticking w/ Bloo to make a nats-week surge, coming out of Massillon : 1) Bluecoats +/-0 (worst case 2nd) 2) BD +/-0 (worst case) 3) SCV +4 (on a big push, backed by the fans) 4) Cadets +/-0 (highly polished show, but lacks GE in the end) 5) Cavaliers +1 (narrowly misses passing Cadets) 6) Crown -3 (I can't believe that I just dropped them to 6th, whoops) 7) BK +3 (a fan favorite) 8) Boston +1 (I think there's a 30% chance of them passing Regiment, giving them the slot for fun) 9) Regiment -4 (despite a beautiful program, the lack of fast tempos & variety gets them in the end) 10) Blue Stars NEW (very strong showing, gives PR / Boston a scare) 11) Crossmen +/-0 (another strong showing, very close to Blue Stars) 12) Madison -4 (old school gets dumped in the end) Original predictions : 1. Bluecoats 2. BD 3. Crown 4. Cadets 5. PR 6. Cavaliers 7. SCV 8. Scouts 9. Boston 10. Blue Knights 11. Crossmen 12. Spirit

Counting down the days until I get to see you guys in the theater. Wish that I could see this show live, but it's definitely the next best thing. Bravo Bluecoats! Enjoy the rest of your TILTing this Summer.

Yes. Well said. It's mid-July, & we have a lot of strong corps. It makes sense that there's some ebb & flow in placement & will continue to be. Notice the push-back already from us fans seeing Bluecoats losing ground despite having such an amazing program. Not that it matters what is said on dcp, but I do feel that it's a general reflection of the current mood and general climate of drum corps. I wouldn't count Bloo out, just yet. If anything, this is a great chance for the corps to dig deep & rally around the community's support & love for their 2014 show. There's still a ways to go, folks.

Still sticking w/ Bloo for the Gold, all the way. If I had to this today, I would have Cavaliers higher in 5th, then SCV in 6th, PR in 7th, Boston in 8th, Scouts 9th, & a toss-up for 2-4, lol.

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This was an excellent interview. Love what the 'coats are doing this year, like so many others. What an amazing season for them and all of us who get to observe.

West LA, CA