Kyle B

Well, I gave it my best shot. Some may like it, some may hate me...but that's the story and I'm sticking to it.

I'm going to give this a shot. A lot of this will be more opinion rather than just a straight forward review. I'll defintely try to remember and mention all of the positive things I saw last night along with some of the negatives. I've been trying to think about how to go along with the negative thoughts, so I decided that if I think my opinion would be shared by more than a few people, I'll mention it. Most will be straight-forward, some will pull no punches. I have to first admit, that when it comes to seeing a program and being able to pick up the design of the show, sometimes I can be an idiot, but if I thought maybe it was way to out there, I'll mention this. Also, after marching 7 years in the activity, this was only my second time ever seeing a DCA show. The first was last year at Kingston. First up, the Bushwackers. The new uniforms look really good, and I understand that there will be some changes being done to make it more Bush, probably adding the keys at some point. Big suggestion: lose the white gauntlets and go to black. Anyway, their first part of the show is a tribute to the Bush of yesterdays, I heard 1985, 1993, and I think 86? I like the nod to the past and bringing the corps back. It's a small corps, maybe 18 horns, 12-15 guard, 7ish pit and 16 drumline. The music book seems more attainable than in years past, and sometimes the drill as well, but there are parts that just seem like it's unnecessarily hard and won't be clean by finals. Drill was written for about 6 more brass. I think the drumline at points in the show covered up the brass due to the equal numbers. I also don't get having a full cymbal line and yet only 1 tenor. I know Bush is known for its quality cymbal line, and they really don't disappoint at all. In fact, they were probably the best section of the corps last night. I just don't get the balancing that they have had for the last several years. Again, that's my opinion, feel free to disagree with me. They have some really nice props of pictures throughout the years with the old uniforms through today, they added some nice staging effects where performers would disappear. Sometimes tho, they would block what we were supposed to be watching however. I don't get having the hornline do some advanced drill things during the drum solo in the second song while being behind the props. I couldn't see anything. Also, there was a very random pit solo song followed by silence. I'm guessing there will be more added in here as it really didn't make any sense in terms of a transition from one song to the next. Programming wise, I couldn't tell if there was a story behind the show or if it was just a straight forward show with elements like a dancing guard member holding a trumpet who eventually put on a uniform and then played the rest of the show. Overall, Bush just needs numbers and really start digging in and cleaning away as well as taking out the hose to some parts that won't be achievable. I don't know what are the Open Class numbers this year, but I'm rooting for them to make a return. I do think this show puts them in a better place then in previous years. Next on was Fusion Core. Fusion has an excellent brass program going on. They are a little bit bigger than in the past and they sound pretty good for the first show. I do apologize, I am not a drum person at all, so I can't comment on this. As for the show, maybe it was explained what the show was by Fran and the audience didn't hear it at all (speakers were pretty bad and don't face the audience at all,) but I didn't get the programming at all, other than the fact that the show was obviously based on a love story. What that story is, I don't know. In the beginning, there is a guy and a girl dancing together and then they disappear for awhile. Later on, there is a very awkward scene to the audience where 2 older folks come on to the field with red heart balloon and I guess the man first has a heart attack and dies with his wife first trying to wake him up, followed by being upset and herself passing away, with the balloons going into the air? Then having a soloists play behind them. Just, very awkward to the audience, at least to me and the several people I was with. Later on, the young couple come back, so I'm guessing that the older folks are either reincarnated together, or it's a flashback? As for their ability, as I said...the brass achieves a very nice sound on the move. Visually I don't remember anything standing out from them, other than 1 MAJOR thing that I thing was just completely unacceptable to the paying audience. Out of their entire show, the color guard did maybe about 2 minutes of work, with the weapons doing just a little bit more. I understand that this is early on in the season, but now they will be playing catchup to everyone else in the circuit if they didn't feel ready to perform over 3/4 of their show. Next on were the Buccaneers I'll first admit I'm probably more critical/amazed by this for obvious reasons, however I'll try to remain unbiased as best as I can. This show has such a high level of demand associated with it, both visually and musically. There are about 24 ladders being used throughout the show where soloists and color guard members will get on and perform. A lot of it were very neat things happening, such as having hornline members working in tandem with the colorguard to lean the ladders and set up for them. Musically, they have some pretty good moments, but I'm not sold yet. Will probably take another viewing. The high brass is very strong, with a strong trumpet line, and there were many times I was hoping for more low brass section. There were quite a few stickouts in the low brass, and I imagine that they were the people who were either playing the right dynamics, or they were trying to be the super hero. The color guard uniforms look like a spandex gym workout outfit that is gold and white. At first I was a little let down, but when they go on the yellow ladders, they look really great. My favorite part of the ladders and guard came during what I can describe as the ladder block in the ballad, with the color guard running around the ladders and through them. Very neat effect I have to say. I think the ballad is on the short side and I was hoping for more of a development to get the the climax part because I love the song, but that's because I'm greedy. The closer is Bacchanal and I have to say, this was my favorite musically speaking for the corps. When the melody is introduced for the first time, all of the mellophones proudly walk up the ladders that are now situated on the front side line, bring their horns up and just WAIL. Wow. They made the show for me. Seeing them go up the ladders, everyone knew something amazing was going to happen and they sure did deliver. When the rest of the hornline comes in, they are situated near the back on Side 2, then if anyone has seen the video of Phantom jazz running while playing Firebird Suite, they do just that coming toward the 50 front side line. It was another great moment, although I'm not a fan of the low brass music at this point, it seems to clutter the song up. After that, the corps ends with a great ending, while placing about 12 people on ladders while everyone else is running around. Definitely the best show of the night, and they designed the program to be the top contender again. Cadets 2 then came to the field. Right from the beginning, C2 sounded like a much more mature line. I wasn't a fan of their program last year, but this year I'm a huge fan of. I can't say this is a knock off of 89 Cadets, although there were a few nods to that great show. The color guard seemed to wear a non-complete uniform. They had a few holes in the drill, but I think they marched a pretty good program. I think this program could do very well against the other competitors, although I don't think for the top spot. For the last minute of their show, they stood still and ended probably about 90 seconds before they should have so I'm guessing the penalty is under time again. They are at a much better start from where they were at their first show last year which was 1 month later. Due to the low stands, it was really tough to get engaged in their visual drill package, but that doesn't take away from the achievement of what they are doing at all. I noticed some great feet technique in some of the members that give it that Cadet look, but not from all. I'm definitely a big fan of this show! Finally is the Cabs. I'm going to start of with the big negative for me because there was a lot of good with the Cabs and that simple is Bolero. It drove me crazy, completely. Sticking in the Bolero rhythm every chance was just too much after the 5th time. It's a shame, because visually, the corps is stepping up it's game majorly and is trying to require more from the performers and having a show revolve around that isn't exactly new or exciting. Also, 2 of the 4 songs played, the have performed within the last 4 years. This is not saying anything about how it was performed and the arrangements themselves, but I still think there are a whole lot more pieces out there the Cabs could choose from and make it their own in a Spanish way. For example, my 2008 show with Bush, even though it was Eastern European music, that could easily be taken by them and they would hit a home run. Now, for their show. Minus Bolero popping up every where you go, I really really enjoyed it. I thought the Cabs color guard was just amazing and took in a well deserved first place guard. From what I could tell, they were the only guard of all 5 to have their entire show on the field, or that's what it seemed to me. The hornline is top heavy, but that's the Cabs sound. I do wish I could hear more of the low brass section in big impact points. As I said before, they move a lot more than before, and for this show with the state of the field, they had a few people go down. Nothing serious and it definitely didn't take anything away from their performance, but I'm sure the field was pretty bad as I know the rehearsal field behind them was awful that morning. As for them moving more, they did seem to be one of the more visually dirtier corps for the night, and I'm going to guess that the amazing guard performance is what enabled them to tie Bucs at Visual. When they do move, their great sound does seem to suffer, so I'm sure they will work throughout the season to improve. They did have a few holes that weren't always noticeable. Hopefully they fill them up rather quickly so the entire season could be spent cleaning rather than teaching. Frank did a great job with the trumpet solo and they had some TOP NOTCH screamers throughout their show. I was very impressed and of all the corps I like to listen to, I think having amazing screamers that can do lip trills is the most iconic when the Cabs do it. Bravo! EDIT: I forgot to mention that I really enjoyed Paint it Black by the Cabs. Like I said, this is more of an opinion rather than a review although I tried to mention a few things in there. Feel free to comment, call me out, argue and call me names, as this is just one simple guy's opinion. I like to approach things from a simple guy who just wants to be entertained, and I have to say...every single corps last night did just that.

Overall, it was a good show. I'm debating on posting a quick recap, more of an opinion thing rather than a blow by blow of what happened. I do have to say, I definitely enjoyed many parts of everyone's shows. Some just more than others.

A cabs color guard did walk in front of the honor guard.

Cadets 2 I thought should have been 2nd, although they stood still the last minute and were at least a minute under time.

Actually Bucs Guard only rehearses about twice before May.

Sean, it is not early, it's the start of the season, and while there are a lot more shows in front of it, there aren't a lot of shows to begin with. Corps ask to join this show, so...show respect to the people who drive a far distance, pay a lot for hotels and gas, and have a finished product, IMO.

I've done this for 9 years, and I can say that at least with one organization, what you saw in Wildwood is pretty much what you got in September. Plan your show better, and you won't have much rewrites.

Just heard of a Great White Shark outing 30 miles south of AC.

The schedule is known early enough, plus it is the corps themselves that put them on the billing. You want to do a show in mid-June, come with a finished show. That means getting outside in March and marching. To not have a finished show at the first one, minus the cleaning and the additions/subtractions that come later is a big snub to all the early fans who pay to see you.

As for predictions, I'm going with: 1. Bucs will win by at least 4 points 2. Kelly's will be packed with DCA and American Legion Folks 3. Bushwackers will have a great new look and a better turnout then in recent years. 4. A great time will be had by all.

No, we always heard about it when others weren't finished with their show, doesn't mean that it should be expected every year. I'll still gladly pay the money to see the start of a great upcoming season, but since now I'm a spectator rather than a performer, I would rather all corps have a finished product on the field on the first show.

Great, I'm looking forward to paying for an unfinished product

That is definitely something Dan would do.

I agree, and I'd be more than willing to pay $70 to DCA for this, however I don't feel the amount is equal to the amount. Just like the DVD's/BluRay offerings were a tad disappointing. DCA is getting younger, and I like that more is being offered to the tech community, I'm just hoping they get more up-to-date quicker. EDIT: I just checked. This is the same cost as the DCI fan network, and they have 11 shows. It would be really cool if DCI and DCA could do a cross promotion on this. Another thing I'd be more than willing to pay with 1 subscription, rather than 2.

He didn't say they were. He mentioned 4 DCA corps, Raiders are the extra.

Wait, Hurcs with only 21 brass??? I hope a lot of people couldn't make it.

I'd love to join, but $70 for only 3 shows? Yes, I know there is mini and alumni, but I'm talking about competitions. Not really worth it. Now, if they were to even offer more shows that would be available later, like Wildwood, Bridgeport or Reading that would make it worth it. I would love to purchase a subscription, but not for that amount.

Going by that link, it will be pretty hard to find people who want to join a drum corps who speak latin.

Older people tend to probably have much busier lives with families & jobs, DCA should be going after a younger audience. Younger members will probably bring as many of their friends and families to the audience, rather than people who used to march who may only come alone, IMO.

Saw on the DCA website that Windsor Regiment is no longer listed for this show. Any idea what happened?

Add to the list Kelly's! Can't wait to go down for the whole weekend and not have to worry about rehearsing for a change.

I like it! Frankly, I'm tired of the cookie cutter uniforms in DCI and how everyone looks the same. And bringing back old school is always a good thing IMO.

What other corps have to worry about watching their P's and Q's? I think almost every other corps out there is worried about them at all times.

The Bushwackers were listed as being formed in 1972 and being a traditional Portuguese band that performs throughout the Portuguese community.