Ace Holleran

I am not a day over 90. I know, 'twas a different era. But those BAC corps were awe- and fear-inspiring. Sometimes, they innovated so much, that the VFW and Legion judges didn't know how to score them.

All told, it's nice to see some corps making a move--hello Hyde Pahhhk.

They would have to work hard to beat '67.

I dunno. I was there when BD did an eastern swing in '94. The fans went bazooey.

Of the "Big Three," I have seen only Cadets this year, in late June. I must say, while keeping my DC World objectivity, that Hoppy's drummers are displaying true excellence this year. And yes, I do come from a percussion background. I purport that this line is one of the best I've ever seen in 20+ years of writing about the activity, . All IMHO: The pit is a more integral part of the show this year. There have been years when the Cadets' pit were somewhere lesser-utilized than say, BD or PR. The battery just knocked me out. They showed me all the criteria of a great line: articulation, demand, dynamics, musicality and technique. There are some flam phrases by the snares in the feature that border on the impossible -- for ONE player to execute. Yikes! I also favor some judges over others, in that I concur with the numbers they deliver. These people will go unnamed. When I see scores from certain adjudicators (in all captions), I tend to trust them. Also, note the consistent numbers from SCV percussion. For me, this is a function of having Paul Rennick at the helm. Just look at his track record. I cannot directly comment on CC's drums, since I haven't seen them in person. But I can say they are butting heads with a flippin flamtastic Cadets crew. My fifth of a dime.

Both tubs and brass bowled me over in New Haven. As I was on the track, cannot properly comment on the feet. The snare line is flam-tastic, IMHO, with a book fraught with demand. I agree with many posters in the the horns are the fullest I have heard from Hoppy family in some time.

Well, I was there, steamingly, but hesitate to give a full review due to my fealty to DC World. BUT: Windsor: sprightly, fun, accessible. Bush: still small, but a nice "greatest hits" show. Sun: also rising. Great to see them back on the field. Empire: death-bed reports premature. Big, traditional ES-wallops (esp. NY State of Mind opener). Flashy guard. KILLER battery. Plus, Joey Pero in da house. Cabs: tighter, cleaner than Beepo. Bolero-tastic. Knew it would be close between Bellbottoms and Brunimen. Cabs alums: Flamenco Cha-cha worth admission price. Scout House: ditto Matilda and Col. Bogey. I know, too short. Watch for my Sideline Confidential in DCW.

I was there on a Schwedy Balls night, and, believe me, Statesmen are in fine fettle. Watch that battery, gang.

BRING IT ON, KG!

Saw JS back in July. Loved every minute of it. Throw out the scores, I say. Sheer beauty ... and fun!

Absolutely!

Have we forgotten how much better drum corps is (talent-wise) now than back in the day? I marched in a top 12 corps back in the Jurassic period. That corps would place dead LAST against any Open Class corps today. You marched in your neighborhood; you played on weekends (with rare exceptions) in the summer. Then: A way to spend the summer No auditions Out-of-tune horns Drummers ratamaceuing for 11 minutes That stupid color presentation Judges with zero musical training Start and finish lines The "concert"; nothing like a 3-minute standstill to liven up a show Inspections Corps members milling around on the track during other corps' shows Drinking; fights; racist corps Corps full of thugs Governed by veterans' groups Now: A commitment Want to march in a batter corps? Buff up your skills. Judges with extensive resumes More discipline, more respect Brass and perc playing musically Eye-catching design Corps full of music majors Discipline; toughness Governed by itself ... and more My pernt: With this excellence comes smaller numbers. I am in favor of less travel, more local shows. I think the meshing of band and corps has been a good thing. I believe I have strategies to widen the audience, but I am a professional marketer, so I ain't giving it away. Many good opinions in this thread, IMHO.

I fully agree with this. Really enjoyed the corps in New Haven. Great use of electronics!

I don't know where the numbers will fall, but I thoroughly enjoyed Colts. It's an emotional show with a killer ending.

I was truly impressed by Dem Bones last night in New Haven. The "Fire Drill" perc feature was worth buying a ticket!

7th Regiment: Brass-alicious Spartans: Bari-laden Teal Sound: Electri-"fired" Jersey Surf: Bridge-bananarama Colts: Closer-ific Crossmen: "Fragile"-rockified Cadets: Yule-burners Loved every second of this show. Many thanks to Tom Spataro, David Simon and Mike Woodall of BAC, plus Dan Acheson and Dale "Kaukauna" Antoine of DCI. Please see my full Sideline Confidential in the next issue of Drum Corps World.

Overall, a wonderful show--especially for late June. I think panel got it right. Pretzeltown's encore was simply chilling. Makes me really want to get shekels together to go to Annapolis. Art Harris and the Festival boys put together a tight, well-sorted show. Watch for a "Sideline Confidential" in DC World. And Fran, thanks for coming down to the track and saying hello.

Good call ... and not far from Stadium. Or, get off Exit 24 on the way and hit Super Duper Weenie!

Bridgeport weather looks to be nigh perfect. Welcome, one and all, to the Park City. Hope to see you on the sidelines!

Hoping some of you DCA fans will stay in SoConn to see DCI in New Haven on Sunday. Cadets will be there, along with Teal Sound, 7th Regiment, Spartans, Colts, Xmen and Surf. Get out yer Banana Stix. Plus my dulcet tones on the microphone. Joe Gaudet will be announcing Champs. Link here

Hoping some of you DCA fans will stay in SoConn to see DCI in New Haven on Sunday. Cadets will be there, along with Teal Sound, 7th Regiment, Spartans, Colts, Xmen and Surf. Get out yer Banana Stix. Plus my dulcet tones on the microphone. Link here

Danny's is the bomb. And as much as I like SDW, you can't get Kuhn's chili there. But I know where else you can (shhhhhh)! With all due respect for Andy, I think the Windmill (or Winwill) has been taken over by Vazzy's.

You'll be all of 5 blocks from my house!

I am much more worried about younger members than older ones.

I really don't see what the big whup is about this. Won't C2 just make DCA stronger and more diverse? If you want "back in the day"--there are alumni corps. Why can't ANY DCA corps have its own policies on age? How does this affect the spectators' enjoyment? I just wish C2 were at Champs in Beepo. Harrumph.