quietcity

1979 Guardsmen! I got to be part of that magnificent horn line, instructed by future HoF'er Tim Salzman (who later helped SCV get their only Ott trophies). Edit: Sorry, in my enthusiasm, I forgot to name four others: Star 91, Suncoast 1985, 27th 80, Sky 87, Bridgemen 80 write-in votes for Muchachos and Argonne Rebels. And Kilties. And Oakland Crusaders.

I still get drum corps dreams, decades after aging out. Some are anxiety dreams, like rushing to get ready as the rest of the corps is headed for the field or buses. Other times, I dream of happily being in a corps again, then slowly realizing that I am 55 years old, and hoping no one will notice. I also have pleasant dreams of good times and peoples I knew in corps.

Morality aside, I find weapons increasingly strange from an aesthetic point of view. I marched in an era (late 70s/early 80s) in which rifles and sabers fit perfectly with the predominantly military look, history and demeanor of many drum corps. Most corps wore a modified version of a military uniform. And think of the names of the corps: Phantom Regiment, 27th Lancers, Vanguard, Guardsmen, Cadets, Kingsmen, Troopers, Cavaliers, Scouts, Crusaders, Lancers, Raiders, Knights, etc, etc. Weapons had a natural place at that time. But the aesthetic and style of corps have changed dramatically in the last several years, and weapons look increasingly odd and out of place. It is a little jarring now to see guard members dressed like Bob Fosse dancers wielding weapons. Its hard to reconcile artistically. Just one of the many weird things about modern drum corps. And no, I am not concerned that the use of weapons in drum corps contributes to or condones violence in society. Its a stretch, but you could argue that drum corps illustrates controlled and respectful handling of weapons. Or from a different perspective, the weapons get thoroughly decontextualized and rendered into artistic expressive objects, a wonderful way of turning swords into plowshares.

I like that the singers march with the corps for a bit. This should be required of all singers!

This is the only time I have seen the guard dressed more modestly than the musicians!

Spirit's uni is kinda weird close up, but looks great en masse on the field

Spirit, that is a nice way to start a show.

Wow, SCV, keep rockin' it.

I am such a dino that it took me a few moments to realize that marching xylophones are no longer normal.

Those are harem pants. Its a hip-hop look. I like it.

I was thinking the same thing. I love how the tuba on the highest platform during the dub step stomps his foot like a bull getting ready to charge. Totally fits the moment and a lot of fun.

My five-year-old is undecided between joining SCV and being an astronaut!

As a horn player, I know little about drums. Do they really get so beat up during the season that it would impact performance? Seems like a quality-control issue!

Its a funny thing, but this has happened at least the last three seasons. SCV uses last years drums for first part of season, then get new ones. Its puzzling because if anyone has the clout to get new drums ASAP, it would be SCV and Rennick. I wish I knew why this was.

I agree. Something valuable is lost by the frequent changing of appearance. I miss the iconic uniforms that identified each corps. Sic transit gloria mundi.

I gotta say, BK's little pyramids look like teepees to me, which kind of breaks the whole ancient Egypt vibe. They remind me of that Stonehenge scene in Spinal Tap.

Bloo: the singer-tuba duet, and the trumpet-trombone trio that starts the ballad. This is just pure music. And extra credit for Bloo's color scheme and uniforms. There are not many corps outfits that you could wear to go clubbing.

SCV: Ballad. The whole thing, but especially the back and forth between the baritones, then the horn snap and the immediate wall of sound from the undulating horn line. Man, that is sex and a Bugatti Chiron.

Oh, I don't know, I kind of dig OC's degenerate and dissolute look. I just hope their outfits are not promising more than the show can deliver.

I had the pleasure of playing Tiger of San Pedro in Guardsmen 1979 and 1980 horn line. Tiger was funnest thing I ever played in drum corps or anywhere else. Crossmen did a great version of Tiger that same year. RIP Bill Watrous, and thanks for the great music.

Wow, Mandarins never made finals but now are just 6 points behind Blue Devils! That has to feel good. Way to go, Mandies!

Geez, mello rips go way back. Listen to SCV 1984 opener, Fanfare and Allergo. The mellos rip the space-time continuum on that one. And there were only 4 mellophone players!

Oh gawd, I had to play one of those misshapen unbalanced contraptions in HS marching band. Hard to play and hard to even hold. Like a french horn combined with a sledge hammer.

Why does every fireworks show have so many starbursts and explosions? Why?!?

Keep it in California, Vanguard!!