Ace Holleran

I have seen some bands and corps do wonderful things with amplification. I saw a HS band do a cadenza with voices and flutes on mike that was absolutely stunning. I've also seen some units "overamp" their shows. But I've seen "traditional" corps whose buglers overblow and drumlines get way too drummy. I love to see great DCA pit work--oh, those Bucs--and I remember old-timers who thought that earthbound instruments were going to be the death of drum corps. If this activity hadn't progressed in the last 3 decades, I think DCI would be dead and gone and DCA would be golden-years die-hards playing color presentations and standing on line for inspections. Bass drummers would have one stick and judges would have guns. But who would pay to see it?

I, for one, have no problem with amplification. But, when I hear any mention of the words"wood" and "wind" in the same sentence, it gives me pause.

I understand we're all fans here ... and some of us are biased. I'm not unique, but firmly in the minority: I don't care who wins ... ever. It would compromise my menial avocation as a DC World staffer for the past 20 seasons. But I would be verrrry leery in questioning the provenance or credentials of Mark Thurston. Just take those memorable years from dem Bones when their thumpers were truly world-class. I once watched him work the field at a DCA show, where an "unpopular" drumline was on fire that particular night. From the announcer's booth, I thought, "Mark's gonna put them in first." And he did. In fact, at about 99% of shows I cover, emcee or attend, I'm in general agreement with the panel. It just works out that way. I would tread lightly here, brethren. Ace

We here in Bridgeport are looking forward to your arrival and first show at our historic JFK Stadium. Let's get ready to turn it out for the first gig for our brethren across the pond. Cheers, Ace

SWEET:excl:

... or if someone played Skyliners' street beat.

Amen, Fran. I think that, during this streak, the Princes of Pretzeltown have consistently put some of the finest dc shows on the field--any league, any circuit. You wanna piece of that? Better bring some heavy artillery. And, unlike most of this august group, I don't care who wins!

I really think it's a convergence of demand, effect and execution. It's like the age-old saying in the restaurant biz: You can have it fast, good or cheap--pick any two. All the winners I've seen excelled in two of the above criteria and were verrrrry close in the third. Sometimes, they aced all three--The Concord team in '94 come to mind. Take a look at Cadets/Star in '93. SoI might have been the cleanest corps I've ever seen. Second place. And that's where I had them. Fans look at the whole megillah; judges tend to their captions. As a DCA poster recently said, if each judge keeps two corps within tenths of each other, this can add up to 2-3 points at the end of the day. The ruckus with the all-age corps this year is that Reading are not only going for their sixth undefeated season in a row, but are winning by big margins. Designers--even the giants in the field--have no idea in November whether their programs will be entertaining or not. I also think some die-hard DCI fans are spoiled; they're looking for perfection. Go watch Jersey Surf this year. They are slotted 'way down at the southern end of World Class, yet I loved every second of their show. It is great drum corps, IMHO. Unlike most fans, I am lucky to have met many judges. We talk. And I never write a word of what they say. But it's never about scores--it's about excellence. One DCI brass judge (not on the job anymore) actually sat with me on night 2 in Allentown for about 2 corps. He had worked the night before. We made an agreement that everything was off-record. His remarks to me were so spot-on, it was almost silly. "Watch the visual here; the mellos are trying so hard to hit their spots that they can't play this part," and the like. About 99% of the fans and marchers I meet are biased--and about a third of them ridiculously so. I have met exactly one biased judge. It was at a HS band event I announced, and we were both in the press box. He said to one of his buddies, "Didja see [band name]? I HATED them." FWIW, I have never seen this cretin at any corps show. Yes, as the years go by, there are some shows I like more than others. Sometimes I wonder what designers were thinking when they did their stuff--especially when a corps can't clean or sell their show. At the same time, I celebrate this wonderful activity and relish my teensy part in it. In the spirit, Ace

DCI yearning to be creative in its early days, finally getting around the hidebound vets' groups. Kids who became better-trained, more serious musicians, with the ability to play more difficult parts. Bands are now the "feeder corps." New breed of judges and score system allowed designers to move out of the box. The pit. Now, with amps and alternative instruments. DCA also got younger, with better players. I enjoy it all. I just can't fix it. Ace

I have read some of the threads here. A few make me bristle; others hit it spot on. What rankled me was a poster who described this year's Boston Crusaders as "ho-hum." On 7/5, I saw my first DCI show in four years. And was thrilled. BAC took home the gold, and I thought they were marvelous. As were Xmen, Spirit, Surf, 7th Reg, and Spartans. If the numbers tell me that Jersey's scores are around the 20th spot, then I think that, talent-wise, DCI is in fine fettle. I loved the Surf's take on Americana. I have been writing about this activity for almost 20 years, and, alas, don't get to as many shows as I used to (those of you whom I've met know why). But I'll swear up and down that if BAC is scoring around 7th, that it's a whopper of a seventh-place show. I'll even kick in Holleran Hyperbole and say that's the best Hyde Pahhhk corps I have ever seen, and I am going back to Conquest, El Cap, Meat and Hava Nagilah. Harrumph. Since this was probably my only DCI show this year, I rarely get to post on the topic. Now I feel better. Ace

Fran, "the other voice" of DCA couldn't agree with you more. Take a look at corps 6-10 today vs. 10 or 15 years ago. Quality/talent of today's corps is much better, IMHO. Add in thrills from "little guys" like Govvies and you get a batter product at Finals. Ace

I'm with Ange--it hasn't always been a DCA/Senior show, but we ain't missed a one. Of course, you've got two homeboys taking this stand. T Ace

I just want to say a huge buncha thanks to all involved. To the Crusaders organization, for all their hard work in making this show happen, especially David Simon and Tom Spataro. It thrilled me to see DCI once again at historic Kennedy Stadium--still one of the best venues in the biz, IMHO. To all the corps for wonderful programs and their sheer energy for gutting it out on a steamy night. Many of the corps were coming off a parade in Rhode Island, which couldn't have been a whole lotta fun. "These kids are just spent," said one staffer to me. To the Connecticut Hurricanes, who not only came from a parade, but who changed their start time for their exhibition because some corps were stuck on that dreadful I-95. I hope that all involved fond a way to do this show on a regular basis. Ace

I will do everything I can to keep DCI in BeePo. Ace a native

Jimmy, you guys always rock the house. It's always good, IMHO, to have units that put the pedal to the metal and not have to worry about scores. Thanks for your corps' guts, attitude and sheer fun factor. Ace

This is a haphazard stab since I have umpteen zillion things to do during Champs besides announce. Competing corps only. I liked both Fusion and Gold for their efforts. It is obvious both corps are smallish, with early-season issues. Nice to see Carol O'Brien back on the podium--if there's a drum corps out there, she'll conduct it. And well. Enjoyed Carolina's "whodunnit" theme. Most of that Herrmann music is a beeyotch to play. Cool ballad from "Vertigo." As was the "Dragnet" opening. Speaking of openings, Bush come out with a defiant, eerie, way-cool statement as a harbinger of Voodoo madness to come. In close to 20 years of writing about drum corps, I dunno how many times I have penned, "Wait til this show comes together," etc. Same for this year. You KNOW they always add players and tweak charts during the season. A Dark and Stormy Bush, fer sure. I definitely think Hurcs are on track to climb the ladder again. They raised the bar high with their iconic season last year and the Duganites are pitching another well-sorted program this year. Flashbacks to The Green Machine with Rutter's "Gloria" take the day. The Lynch Mob already in fine fettle as battery has surpassed where they were at this point last year. Add in a glossier, more robust pit, too. Cabs are in better overall form than Hurcs at this point, IMHO. High point for me was ensemble brass--in great shape for week 2. All-original show needs a couple more listens, also IMHO. Loved the "mask" theme on guard. And did they "brump" me in two different keys? I think so. Okay, I know the season is young and EVERYONE has execution issues, BUT... The Bucs absolutely floored me. This show is SO well-planned, SO wrought with emotion and SO easy to grasp that I just stood there and kvelled. The visual complements the audio so well, it's scary. As I said in another thread, this is my favorite program in the Ruocco era. Effortless segues in a Respighi sandwich, with a creamy, oh-so elegant Khachaturian filling. Yes, the Adagio was superb, with ensemble brass to die for. I'm not about scores or predicting that no one will touch this corps this year. But I will tell you this, if you have 10 cc's of dc blood in your system, YOU MUST SEE THIS CORPS. I'm not going overboard when I say that the kids from Pretzeltown entertained me, drained me and maimed me. In the best way possible. Early-season or not, this was one of the finest performances I have ever witnessed, any circuit, anywhere, any month. I could go another few hundred words here. Please read Bill Flaker's in-depth review in Drum Corps World. Thanks to all who stopped by with greetings. Hope to see more of you back at JFK at BAC Bridgeport Drums (7/5) and Hurcs' Fanfare (8/27). Ace

You must come up and see us some year, Fran, and hang in The Circle! Ace

Ange, the Crusaders are sponsoring this. Come see me on the sidelines. Talk the show up! I will be on WICC this week for an interview. Timmy

Will try to write a mini-review later. Thanks to all involved for an excellent Champs show. And the weather held off! I have to admit that I am still gassed by Bucs' performance. Sheer excellence seeping out of every pore of this corps, plus my favorite program of the Ruocco era. Addressing this show without using superlatives is futile. Please subscribe to Drum Corps World and read Bill Flaker's upcoming review. Hoping to see dc fans of all stripes at JFK for Bpt Drums on 7/5, presented by BAC. Uncle Acey

Fran, good to read your thoughts. I'm sorry I couldn't be there on the sidelines with you and Barb, as I have so many other years. Ace

The Govs seem to do this every year!

Nice job, Jeff. Good, quick capsules. Ace

That bari player's name, KG, just happens to be John Donovan. Ace

That just plain sucks. Gil--get a rebate! Ace

Man, wish I were there. Had fun blogging with DCP Krew 2 years ago. Ace