JBlade00

??? I would say the only drums that hurt your upper back would be the top 2. 3 and 4 have more of a mid-back pain and 5 just hurts all over. There is a lot of lower back strain in 5 especially if your core muscles (abs) aren't able to compensate. It gets even worse when people bend backwards when they are holding it. Same thing with snares, they hurt your shoulders / upper back but there's barely any weight pulling you forward so it doesn't hurt your mid-lower back. I would say that the pain associated with tenors (whole back) is much worse than the upper back pain from snares / top basses.

To me, that is just as weird as having a 4" gap in the top 2 and a 2" in the bottom. Realistically, they should have marched 18, 20, 22, 26, 30 if they didn't want a 24". My favorite combo would probably be 18, 20, 24, 28, 32. Having a 28 and a 32 makes a big difference in the overall sound and it gives the writer an opportunity to put some cool unison parts in there for the bottom 2. Now the weirdest set I have seen probably goes to the HS I am currently teaching. Before I got there, they ordered a new set of drums. 14, 16, 18, 20, 24... Yes... a 14" on top and a 24" on bottom. Besides the fact you can't hear the top 2 from the field, it's almost impossible to play in the center of the head. The kids has to crank his elbows so far that it makes it nearly impossible to play with good technique and play in the center. I'm hoping we can get a 28" so I can make it 16, 18, 20, 24, 28. That would be a great set for a high school. The only real issue I have with a drum corps not using a 30" or 32" on bottom is that it takes away from the battery ensemble sound in the lot. Sure you can tune a 28" low enough to fit the mold you want, but there just isn't as much air traveling through the drum to give you that chest thump when you are listening. That's one of my favorite things is hearing a clean unison with a full bass sound. I don't want JUST that sound (ie: no splits, etc...) but it is nice to have them for big impacts. It doesn't make as big of a difference on the field since the sound expands as it travels farther away but up close it is very noticeable.

As a graduate from Kamiak HS, I would have to agree. I honestly think that moving to Vancouver hurt them. There are a lot of very talented kids in WA. The problem is that the percentage of staff involved in the NW Drum Corps scene is dwindling. Kamiak has a few that are on staff at OC, so obviously they make the trip there (see: recruiting). I don't even know if Cascade has any staff that teach in drum corps... but I'm not sure. Mead HS has Spokane Thunder staff. Pasco has Cascade members teaching (I THINK?) but the drive is farther. And I am not sure about Aloha. But when I marched in 02 and 03, I live 15 mins from the camp location. It was incredibly convenient for us, and even though there wasn't any current staff at our high school that taught drum corps, they had taught the Cascades in the past. Evergreen HS has a lot of Cascades kids pulled from it. But a good percentage of the staff (and caption heads) teach at Cascades. Having 2 corps rehearsing 30 mins of each other makes it difficult. I think the only state that can pull it off is CA. I understand it was the smartest move for the staff, etc... but all I am saying is it doesn't make things any easier to recruit from word of mouth.

Ok... so I NEVER post here anymore, but because this is regarding a situation that I was involved in last season I felt the need to clarify a couple of things... 1. Yes.... Mike Steven's post might have been a bit forward, but honestly there is no reason to beat around the bush in a situation such as this. The corps needs help and hopefully it woke a few people up. 2. The staff/ management that came on board last year got thrown in the middle of the blizzard. This debt is not just from one season, it has been accumulating for 4-5 YEARS... And actually, was greatly reduced by the organization last year. But because of a lot of financial mishaps in the past, there is only so much you can do in certain venues. 3. I agree that they shouldn't spend the money on non-essentials (amps, mics, speakers)... The only problem with the argument in this situation is that they didn't spend any money on such equipment last season at least. They borrowed a lot of equipment from local high schools in which the staff was involved with. For those looking to help... PLEASE make whatever effort you can. I know for a fact that they need good ideas for revenue... "Teach a man to fish". I sincerely hope that this is the lowest point for Cascades and that everything from here on will be upward. But the first few steps are always the hardest. This organization has given me and MANY others a life changing experience that I will not soon forget. I wish the best for the staff and members and I hope this doesn't deter from the drum corps experience. - Jon Supnick

Thanks, and ya I'm planning on getting the "Sprint Mobile Broadband Card by Novatel Wireless™ (Merlin S720)" Also, I just found an AMAZING deal through Sprint called "SERO" which basically means "friend of Sprint employee" but I found it on slickdeals.net I believe it's 49.99 a month for unlimited and I don't have to buy a phone plan w/ it. Even though, their phone plan is REALLY cheap too so I might just end up doing that as well! But other than that, how much travelling have you done w/ the service? Of course I will be on the road the whole summer so I am looking for reliability as well.

Hey all, I figured this would be a good place to post this considering you guys would know better than anyone else. I am looking to get a wireless broadband card for my laptop so that I can do some work and what not on tour (I'm on staff don't worry :)). There are basically 3 major players right now... Verizon, Sprint and Cingular. I was looking to get some opinions from anyone who might have or is using any of these services. I want to make sure that I will have coverage in a majority of the areas we are in (at high schools, etc...). It doesn't need to be lightning fast but I just need a connection. Right now I am leaning towards Sprint for 2 main reasons: - Plan is $60 a month which is the cheapest of the 3 I believe - Plan is for true unlimited transfer. Apparently Verizon will disconnect you if you go over 3gb a month in data transfer... That can happen in a week if your on YouTube too much. This is not something I can really risk. Any help would be greatly appreciated, I figured that someone has probably gone through this as well. Thanks! ~Jon

Man... that's crazy but pretty cool. I wish I could get a hold of tour footage like that!!!

Thanks for the kind words Shawn :), btw I e-mailed the webmaster to maybe hopefully change my butchered name on the site. It's Jon Supnick not John Supnik! Also, thanks to Matthew for the edited post above... Those posts were just uncalled for. ~Jon

They decided to shut it down because they were losing revenue to a bigger casino/ bingo chain (can't think of the name right now) There were plans in the making to make more income... but not sure what is going to happen now w/ this whole change.

Saying that I know little about the situation is just comical. What exactly justifies you to make such comments about either organization? Seems to me like you are taking favor to Oregon Crusaders... and that's fine. There's more to the situation than YOU may know about things Lewis tried to do to make everyone happy. And if there are OC members that don't care about the Seattle Cascades... I say let em rot because if they would just sit back and let an organization like the cascades just fold, they don't deserve to march PERIOD. Drum Corps isn't just about little things like this, it's the fact that there IS a place to march in the first place. I firmly believe that if these changes weren't taking place (Mike and Lewis specifically) then there probably wouldn't be a 2007 Cascades. As far as the staff changes and what not... I agree that some of it may be a bit drastic. I especially feel for them because I have known a number of them for years. That's not to say that they are completely cut off from the organization permanently. But a staff that knows each other/ gets along is VERY important... and cutting corners will make things easier on the 2007 season by bringing in people who Lewis KNOWS will be on the same page. I am sure that soon enough they will bring back staff and what not when they feel things are stable again... that is if they want to come back in the first place. Overall I know this is a messy situation. There are many upset people on both ends of the spectrum, but it comes down to the fact that this is the direction they chose to go in... so you can either except it, or not. Don't make the situation worse by stirring up the pot and discouraging possible members from trying out for either corps. It doesn't help anything. Especially from people who know little or no information about it, and are basing statements off of hearsay. I truly wish I could just snap my fingers and make everyone happy... but I can't, no one can. So just sit back and let the things that are going to happen... happen. We'll live through it. ~Jon

The reason the schedules are the same is because Mike Leone is the Band Director at Hockinson High School, so they basically get the facilities for free, or really cheap.... no matter what group uses it.

Wow... just wow... some of the most ignorant comments I have heard in some time. From my perspective, I almost think of the exact opposite. You have to realize that the Cascades have been having 'issues' the last few years. Whether it be the corps director situation, the financial situation, ETC.... there have been things going on there. I believe that Mike and Lewis decided to "Take Over" as you put it in order to help the Cascades. The foundation for the Oregon Crusaders has been set somewhat, and they are moving to the Cascades because they know they can get a handle on things and help the organization grow instead of continuing to fall. Please don't make such outrageous statements about this issue... There are a lot more things in the last couple of years that have been leading to this. I support both groups and hope that both can be prosperous moving forward. ~Jon Supnick - 02-03 Cascades - 04 Blue Devils - 06 Oregon Crusaders

I'm not going to get too involved in this discussion, I just had to post because this makes me sick. Please do not take my opinions against any corps I am affiliated with. First of all, I wouldn't take this guy's opinion into too much thought. He's obviously doing this to get a rise out of us... and is doing a good job at it. If he truly believes what he is preaching, then I feel sorry for his ignorance and everyone here should pity him... for he isn't worth all this argument. His first argument was about how girl bass drummers are inferior... this is very untrue. The fact is, there are just LESS of them around. In fact, there are very few rudimental percussionists that are girls... period. I have met my fair share of talented individual girls, and there are plenty other ones too. There are quite a few bass drummers in div II/III (which is nothing to laugh at btw). There are also girl bass drummers in Div I. Corps such as Boston, Bluecoats, Cascades, Troopers, as well as plenty of others come to mind. Just because there are fewer girl bass drummers, does not make them inferior. I am sure there are girls that could kick my butt at bass drumming, it really wouldn't surprise me. Another argument that you had is that because someone is not in a top 5 corps... they aren't very good. BZZZZT WRONG! Just because someone doesn't decide to move to a different corps, does NOT make them a bad player. There are PLENTY of players in DCI that could easily make a top 5 group if they wanted to. It's not about where you march... it's about who you march with. I personally had a very tough decision leaving Cascades after 2 faithful years. A LOT of my friends are still there, and I know that if I would have stayed there this year, I probably would have had more fun, but if I did that... would that mean that I was a worse player? Absolutely not. If you look at it a different way, you could almost say that the people that leave their home corps are traitors because of the corps jumping. It has been discussed many times. The experience of Drum Corps is the same throughout. Everyone's job is the same. They are performing together as a unit in order to accomplish a common goal. I'm not going to go into any more detail on this because I could probably write an essay about it. I guess what I am really trying to say here is that this person is truly ignorant in his beliefs. And he can't even spell Congratulations right, yet he proceeds to call other people "stupid". I bet he's just some lonely kid trying to get attention... and that is why I feel sorry for him. I guess that's all, ~Jon

Ya I wasn't 100% positive on what counts the drums come in on... but ya We were taught by wrote in '02 at Cascades (just for fun) by Ryan Millians (Cavies 96-98) ~Jon

Just wondering if you meant that in a bad way, or in a good way... hard to tell sarcasm in writing without faces like... or.... or even ~Jon

Kit from Momentum? Ya I know him He was down there trying out for Bass 1, cool guy. He decided to go to Cascades this year and play snare which is pretty cool. I wish those guys the best of luck this year. ~Jon

I would say bass without a doubt. I don't know, the uniqueness of blending as a bassline is an experience that I love. You depends on your bass brothers and sisters to get the job done (not saying that it isn't like that with snare/ tenor/ cymbals, just saying that it is way different) I mean, if you are missing 1 snare, or 1 tenor drummer... its not that big of a deal because everyone plays the same part. But if you are missing 1 bass drummer, everything gets messed up and doesn't sound right. I started on bass, and I have always loved it. I tried snare for a bit in HS... but its not the same. I like to keep my snare chops up though so that I can hang at least, but I would never go out for snare in a drumline. Just my $.02 ~Jon

Div II right? Dang... thats a huge line, its even big for Div I with the cymbals. More power to you guys though if you can pull it off. ~Jon

6 Basses? What exactly is the reasoning behind that? You guys have a lot of talent or what? I mean I am all for 6 basses, I marched 6 in HS... I am just wondering why the reason :P

At Cascades we used White Lithium Grease. The kind that comes in the big tube, so you can just dip the end of the lug. It works really well, and its like $3 for a huge tube at Home Depot.(lasts well over 1 tour) Later, ~Jon

I think your right Dave, I can't remember seeing more than 4 last year.... but then again I could be wrong. And if you are asking about UT... they definitely had 5, at least thats how many they had at the Holiday Bowl.

Haha, you should tell Johanna (sp?) I said hey. This would be her face... b**bs Also remind her that the bass 3 dude frm Cascades last year is in BD this year, and to come say hey. I'll prolly come watch you guys in the lot too... I am good friends with Andy, Sean and Rob (tall skinny dude) See you guys this summer ~Jon

Well, actually it is the same beat played by all the basses. Bass 5 comes in on beat 1, bass 4 on beat 10, bass 3 on beat 15, bass 2 on beat 20, and bass 1 on beat 25 (I believe) It makes it funky, due to the rhythm is offset by a couple of notes, so there are about 3-4 accents that stick out. And then the top bass goes in and out of a solo. its triplet based, and here is the rhthm: R l r L r l r l R l r L ... and this rhthym repeats.... so it sort of lines up like this: 5: R l r L r l r l R l r L R l r L r l r l R l r L 4: - - - R l r L r l r l R l r L R l r L r l r l R l r L 3: - - - - - - R l r L r l r l R l r L R l r L r l r l R l r L 2: - - - - - - - - - R l r L r l r l R l r L R l r L r l r l R l r L 1: - - - - - - - - - - - - R l r L r l r l R l r L R l r L r l r l R l r L Its pretty cool when you hear everything together. Simple... yes... sweet... yes...

Haha, right on. Good luck to you guys this year. See you on the field! ~Jon

Actually... both of you guys heard some wrong things. - Yes, the line size is 8-4-5 - There are 7 vets in the snare line, 1 new rookie - There are 3 Tenor vets, the guy on the end next to Tim Jackson did not come back this year (for unknown reasons) and a rookie took that spot. - In the bassline, there are 3 vets (bass 4, Marco, Marched bass 4 in 2001, but took 2 years off, and is returning this year). And the bottom bass from last year (Phil) decided not to come back for personal reasons, this would have been his age-out year. Hope this helps to clear a few things up... And also... make sure to watch out for us this year. We will not aim to dissapoint