Blake13

I think this is actually a really neat idea for Drum Corps International to try out. For starters, they are showcasing the top 8 corps from last year in a "Tour of Champions" and they are starting the 2011 season by having them do two shows in Texas. It only seems fit that DCI expands the horizons of this event past Texas and into theaters nationwide for all DCI fans to go and see these top 8 corps perform and start the season. Past seasons, the first shows have been maybe 3 corps at most for the first two shows. However, this year, this particular event has most likely pushed the top 8 to work harder to put out more of a complete show and more solid show to present for start of the season. Yes, the shows are still going to have dirt in them and the endurance of the members will not be on the same level as it will be Finals week, but it will still be a good oppurtunity to see what everyone is putting out there this season. We can all read the shows that will be competing for the rings at Finals at the same time. It's going to be a pretty awesome thing in my opinion. For vets like me and vets that have aged out and follow the activity loyally, maybe we'll all pick out the dirt and stuff, but at the end of the day, it was still a drum corps show that let us all see what everyone has this year and is going after. For newbies to the activity, there are a wide variety of shows that will be seen such as Crown's "Rach Starr" show and Cadets show where the corps is split and traditional shows like Cavaliers to experience. It's gonna be a cool thing to start the year, I'm excited to see it.

From my understanding, all SCV and Phantom vets at SCV and Phantom were being allowed to come back. So what sorta happened, is that most of Phantom's 2010 line is now at SCV with Rennick. SCV goes followed Gusseck to Academy probably or went to BD. Spirit of Atlanta guys followed Gwaltney to Phantom. So theirs vets of PR in SCV, vets of SCV in Academy/BD/Coats, Spirti vets in PR. And then of course whoever else made the line. Anyway... 1) SCV or Coats or Cadets.

Yeah their line last year was probably the strongest sounding line out there. Not the cleanest, but their book is so demanding. Lee Beddis is an incredible writer and his books are really timing intense. Their line last year played with so much sack. This year can only be better with a rock themed show. Calling top 3 for Crown. With the other two being SCV and Coats.

Those are literally hot. Why does Yamaha have awesome drum finishes? I mean Bluecoats and Crown's finishes this year look stunning. Then again, most of the Pearl finishes are amazing this year too. My personal favorite drum finish is still gonna be Blue Knights from 09. If you look at the finish under the right light, the purple in the finish pops out and it's so cool to look at. Maybe I'm biased, I have a brand new one for my personal use but still..

Not only is DCI 2011 going to be a great year for shows, but these uniforms are getting insanely awesome. I mean, every corps that has new style to them looks great. Crown looks amazing like that but I do agree the purple uniform before they got the new ones was definitely the best look for them. Actually, these are great too, I love 'em. I still think my favorite uniforms are Cavaliers and Bluecoats and maybe SCV. Simple (for the most part) and they look sharp. And I'm a sucker for anything that isn't a shako since Cavalier hats and helmets look so boss on the battery.

Well, the demos sound cool. The only thing I have against VDL is the marching percussion doesn't have a lot of customizable effects on sounds. I wonder if this would run with the VDL sound library as well for a full percussion ensemble...

Well.... Crown's uniforms from last year were amazing. After you actually look at how they work with everything else on the field, it was great. Personally having worn the fabric they used in the uniform during my last two indoor seasons, it's really not that bad. They can get wet, but it takes forever to dry. Crown this year looks stunning. But when pics get out, everyone's going to be up in flames about them. They're hot, they work with the show. Blue Devils uniforms are sick. Those are by far the most visually stunning uniform I have seen and it's no surprise it comes from them. I'm not a BD fan really, but the uniform is cool and the music they have out so far sounds awesome. Troopers...I agree with whoever said they needed something around the waist to tie it together. But they're coming around to the traditional style look of drum corps now despite the fact that their calvary style uniform was classy. Academy's uniform is kinda a surprise. I think I like it so far though. I'll wait to see how it works on the field but so far, it's really classy looking. Looks too much like a tuxedo though.

Not really! I can see a lot of people going, "####, that drum would look amazing! I want one for myself!". I mean, the only thing that won't sell in that case is the basses but I could see a lot of people sending them e-mails asking to buy a single snare or tenor. I did the same thing with Blue Knights' drums from 2009 I believe. Picked a brand new one up for like $252.

Crown

I don't know if someone has already said anything, but Crown's drums will be black with a flame base on them. Also, the bass heads will match the drums either throughout the season or just at finals. And I guess I could throw out that someone talked to the guys down there and the parts of the uniform that were yellow/gold are now black.

Obviously, this is Paul (or jacob, but i don't think so). But that really sucks. Oh well. But they should go back to it for real though.

Wow, those uniforms are incredible. Um now I'm just gonna be that guy. I really want to see Crown's uniform because I seriously doubt it's staying the same (but after awhile, the 2010 uniforms grew on me, they were hot). Phantom is definitely another one I can't wait to see, back to all black is gonna be sick. Other than that, I don't know who else I'm excited to see since I don't think anyone else is changing. Besides maybe Coats...something leads me to believe that after what I saw in pics they put up today of the drumline.

All around sound, I'm with Crown and Coats. In my opinion, two of the best hornlines in DCI. Crown has such a great range of musicality while Coats can be super aggressive one year and then come out with a extremely musical show the next year (like 2009). Crown's entire show concepts use brass, pit, and that awesome drumline (one of the most aggressive lines out there) come together so well in every show. Since I'm a drum guy though... Bluecoats and Paul Rennick's lines are hands down the best sounding lines. The way Coats tune their drums are magical. In the same sense, what Rennick does with Dynasty drums is amazing. Plus Rennick's line always have some great beats. Rarick writes some sick stuff for Bluecoats year after year and they are always throwin' down. Cadets' drumline was great until Aungst left, but the past two years I haven't been too impressed. I will say though, I respect every World Class line's ability and I am in no way attacking anyone's playing. I'm commenting strictly on music. I won't judge what I haven't done yet.

Soooo...let's hope this G7 deal doesn't go through

It was like 98 in Dublin, Ohio and we had Dublin Coffman Stadium to rehearse in and yes, the turf was hot as a *****. It sucked.. a lot.