Valve Oil
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Posts posted by Valve Oil
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How DCA fans, alumni and corps don't get outraged when Buccaneers win 10 of 11 years, and your fans continue to disappear, is beyond me. I guess it's all good, as long as nobody rocks the boat too much, or challenges Reading.
Got courage? Or are we okay with watching DCA circle the drain? You can paint me as a troublemaker, again, but look at the historical record for the last decade in DCA. DCA for the last decade is a pale comparison of what DCA once was from a competition aspect, and that needs to be fixed, or DCA will die. It may take five years, it may take ten, but without change, DCA is coming to an end.
Simple as that.
Naaaaa...I don't paint you as a trouble maker at all. You have passion for the activity! You may be right. You may be wrong. You raise valid concerns. In any event, you generated the conversation...and that's always a good thing, agree or disagree!
As you like to say, Rock on!
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The perfect time of the year to get your drum corps fix. The last big show in New Jersey at one of the best stadiums for drum corps. Looking forward to seeing many Bushwacker alumni and friends. Order your tickets now and avoid the lines. Great DCA line up, alumni corps and Al Chez's band. You can't go wrong folks. See you in Clifton on 8/22!
Great lineup!...........see you there!
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Well, we're pretty much adrift if we can't post photos.
I'll investigate whether there might be some way to rectify this, but if that's important to only about 4 or 5 of us, we should probably just move over to the "Some Old Drum Corps Photos" thread.
In any case, let's make a list of visitors to this thread. If you drop in, just leave a calling card. This was min
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Quick answer here:
Positions, not an issue.
Excelsior? Possible generosity from the panel? We'll have to see numbers from the Kiltie Klassic and from Alliance in the South this weekend and assess that.
Gap between C2 and Bucs? As good as C2 was- and they were quite good- some spoilers here:
The panel may have been trying very hard to be conservative and prudent and not let the horses out of the stable regards to the Bucs number. the 2.4 point spread may have been a conservative one. I know, that's a very, VERY, scary thought, but I have it nonetheless.
What about spreads between #'s three through six?
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Great review !!!!....so far. I'd be interested in your take on positions and spreads. Thanks for all the time and thought you've put into this!
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All in all just unfortunate. From my observations, DCA contests are prerty much at turf fields now, and I think they go by something like the DCI regs, the show will go on if there is no visible lightning. The delays a couple of years ago at DCA Prelims I believe were because US Naval regulations and protocol were stricter in regards of lightning- something like a 20 mile radius of ther stadium. Big Sounds last year had rain for a part of it, the show was still great, Tom Moore tried to keep dry with a rain poncho parking cars- something I didn't envy...
1: Would have been nice for Sky to lay down a number before D-Town. My guess is they will go on after Excelsior, which is helpful for them in that a number will be on the sheets before they perform.
2: Hurcs are looking a lot stronger this year, but they need to keep establishing their momentum and placements, good for their morale, and bad for those who wish to pursue. A good number could have done that for them.
3: I'm sure Fusion and the Cabs would have wanted more numbers to compile and see of their numbers can trend better than they did at the last contest- some of the top-bottom spreads weren't where they would want them to be, I'm sure.
This makes D-Town a lot more important, a lot more.
Excelsior wants to get a solid number and establish themselves as a real contender for Class A Finals, not as a just happy to be there corps.
Bush, Sky, Hurcs, White Sabres all want to know how they relate to one another badly.
C2 wants to establish consistency and set a number to close on Fusion or get by them. They also need to get the Brass and Ensemble Music score more in line with the percussion numbers.
Bucs want to blow up the place and lay down a smackin' big humber when the dust settles.
Whatever happened with the contest- happened, and it's just a real shame. My serious concern is that the show will be back next year. When this happens in DCA, it usually means the show's done for, and that would be an upsetting thing.
Big W...I hope you'll be at D-town and post a review.......always a valued insight!
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Ok....so here's my picks for the show that wasn't...
1 Cabs 83.5 Continuing their persuit of the top spot with a vengance.
2 Fusion 80.20 Crowd fav...soaking up the LOVE
3 Hurricanes 74.75 Small but amazing....making their mark!
4 Sky 71.50 Lola delivers for Big Red......Theirrrrrrrrrrr Baaaaaack!
Well that was fun...wish there actually wuz a contest.
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Here's to the "Big Red Band"....Sock it in Gabarina!
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Beat wishes going forward!!!!! Welcome home!
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Just returned after a full evening. Watched competing corps from the track, directly behind drum major. Random thoughts . . .
My predicted order would have been
Buccaneers
Caballeros
Fusion
Cadets2
Sunrisers
Hurricanes
Bushwackers
Thought Bucs would have won by about 2.5-3.0. Stunning guard uniform design. Non-stop corps movement. All captions clicking. Cool music.
Cabs strong brass sound, but weak visual, too tight, too often. Wanted to see a little something added to the new uniform, but not yet. More sequins?
Fusion very solid all around, uniforms need a little more 'pop,' overall too dark. OUTSTANDING color guard. Mature brass technique.
Cadets2 best they've ever been. Thought they would be this close to Fusion, but some sloppy marching, Could surprise by Rochester.
Sun much larger and sophisticated, maybe a little weak in upper brass definition. Great looking uniforms. Healthy corps.
Hurricanes sound stronger than corps size, always good guard. Maybe not enough 'corps' to handle those already above, CV, MB, nor Kidsgrove.
Bushwackers small and likely to place about 12th in Rochester.
Almost full capacity crowd. Well run event, as usual.
Disclaimer: Buccaneer alumni, not a musician.
I agree with some and disagree on other points. First...you gotta love Sky and Cabs alum, they bring what you expect. What I didn't expect was the show the Brassmen put out. They may not look impressive but they sure have some great players and sell arrangements that are perfectly suited to their size and talent...super!
I picked Hawthorne over Bucs by a very slim margin. These two corps are great and pretty much equal. I just thought Cabs were a bit crisper. How many differant tunes does Reading play?
Fusion seems to have filled the void left by Empire. Well trained with a high energy show, great sound and very entertaining!
Cadets2 has alot of cleaning to do if they're going to move up.
Hurricanes are a pleasant surprise....can't listen to winter rumors I guess. Nice show, solid sound for their size. Training is evident but they could use a little more POP in their ending.
Welcome back Sun!!!! Big corps, nice big sound just a tad sloppy...they will be very good by Rochester!
Bush,Waaaay too many holes to make an evaluation.
One final comment on uniforms. Does everyone have to look like Johnny Cash with a hat? When did BLACK become the preferred color? Drum corps is a happy sport with lively music and pagentry.....Black is not a happy color! Reading, Fusion, Hurricanes and Sunrisers....Too much black...wise up!
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MBI 11 was an epic show.
Got it now.....Thanks!
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this could be fun on a 2011 scale
I don't know what that means???????
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The Hurricanes have quietly assembled a highly qualified staff and have chosen what looks to be a very entertaining show...it sounds like it will be a hit! Good luck to the Hurcs!
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Sure looks like Fusion is kicking it up a notch!..........Top 3?
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Great choices! That's a Skyliner kind of show...best of luck with your open house and beyond.
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So, my serious post about re-instating Tom Allen to DCP gets closed. Nothing negative was posted by anyone in the 3 pages yet...Closed!
We all have our opinions as well as passion for this great activity. But even A Rod was suspended for a small amount of time! Gee wiz! I have had run-ins with Tom in the past but we have met face to face, shook hands and are still friends. Tom is pasionate about everything he does, not just drum corps but also Honor Flight and making sure Vets have a live bugler for Taps in the Rochester area.
Closing a post with NO reason or "Gee Keith, sorry, but we are closing your post because.........."
It's what has become the American way..........intrusive government :thumbdown:/>
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Well Kevin. I was with you all through, The Prelims, and The Alumni Show. Now one more time.
Thank You for the GREAT job you do.
Is it to late to sign up for the live finals video ? if not how is tht done?
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So ... give it a shot and take a guess ... no points deducted for spelling ...
:-)
Joseph Nicholson. He's listed in the Hurricanes HOF.
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You betcha, Baby!
Not so hard if you follow the clues. I now know who, althogh I don't know much about him.
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ok so now we're getting somewhere. where is fish with some clues?
If Fish doesn't know, maybe Ray or Kulinski do.....I think he resembles Pete China only I don't know if he ever played sop?
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I have yet to figure out why so many people want to keep drum corps in a time period of the past, yet have no problem with the rest of the world moving forward. Guard prancers? Really? Talk about insulting.
Perhaps moving this conversation to the "Historical Forum" would be the better place for it. Because it seems that is really where people discussing how great things were BITD and how horrible they are now belongs.
The heart and soul, comradery, freindship, family and fellowship are certainly the backbone of the activity...past, present and future, no question. As I said, much of the progressive innovations have enhanced the product greatly. My beef is that the unique sound and intensity has been gutted...yes, gutted. Anyone that can play a trumpet can play a G soprano so the argument that it's easier to recruit band people is weak.
When the product was loud, exciting and in your face... the stadiums were full, there were hundreds more corps in existance and there was no shortage of show sponsers or BIG shows (Dream, Mission Drums, Barnum)....so yes, things were great BITD, and how I wish todays generation could experience the same level of success as well as the thrill of the passion and adulation exibited by legions of fans. And let's not hear about the economy anymore. Have you been to the movies, a Major League game or Broadway play etc. etc.?.....not cheap, but a venue people want to enjoy, and they do in droves! Or have you evaluated the costs associated with golf, boating, skiing or the myriad of other activities that some would claim are drawing people away....if you participate in those activities, I promise, they're not cheap either. The rest of the world is indeed moving forward, unfortunately, drum corps is falling way behind in popularity. The fading state of our activity, when you compre it to a vibrant past tells me all of the changes in the name of sophistication isn't panning out.
No one wants drum corps to thrive more than me...but this is sadly, my honest opinion. And no, this is not a topic that belongs on the Historic thread for the fogeys to banter around....there are valid points that apply to today!
Why is it that Hawthorne Alumni is so wildly recieved wherever they go? It isn't because the fans miss the Cabs....they're still here! Perhaps it's the sound and energy they put forth! They get a better reaction than the Cabs, or any other DCA corps for that matter, so score one for the big sound. Now that Empire(perennial crowd favorite) is bowing out, we'll only have the Kilts to remind us what drum corps is supposed to sound like.
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Not far from being a band, corps went to bb bugles to gain kids from high school bands .The G bugles sound a hell of a lot louder ,can't get that from the bb.LOUDER IS BETTER it gives the fan's what they want . Tubas and trumpets if you where to say that 20 years ago you'd be laughted out of rehersal.
I have to agree with you...The progressive thinkers have gutted the appeal of what we know as drum corps. The big sound is gone...not just the brass, the perc now sounds as if it's played on cardboard boxes. Although many of the innovations over the past few decades are for the better, IMO, the dilution of the big bold sound striped away the excitement and allure.....so yes, todays corps are just a bunch of everyday bands!
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you do realize the Finals host city may have played a part in this right? DCA saying "hey, they're back" could have had the contract yanked.
Like I said...I don't know. Is this speculation or fact?
Guess Who?
in DCA All-Age Corps and Alumni Corps Historical Forum
Posted
Oh man are you dating yourself!!!!!!!!!