Jurassic Lancer

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Personally, I like to go to the Claddagh Irish Pub around noon Thursday through Saturday, tip a couple of Guinness’s and have a burger or other fine pub food. It's especially great to sit outside by the sidewalk ... I always meet some interesting drum corps fans to talk with, and even ran into a guy I marched with in the mid-seventies last year! It’s a great way to spend the early afternoon before the shows. It is a stone’s throw away from Lucas Oil at 234 S Meridian St. I will also second St. Elmo’s is amazing!

I was at Dublin last night, and I can unequivocally say I love this show! A lot of cyber-ink has been spilled describing the innovations of this show so I will cut right to the chase. The new ending is spectacular! From the frenetic movement around the orbs like electrons around a nucleus , to the new and improved horn push, to the levitating of the horn player on the central orb at the end is a huge improvement over the early season version. Now all that Coats have to do is have the guard run with that orb off a ramp with the horn player, and land in the assembled tuba section to really kick the GE into high gear.

I could be totally wrong, but I thought they were 10s at least. Then again, I am just a horn guy who lives in a world of hyperbole, so I will defer to your more nuanced eye ... and ability to count.

More random thoughts … The “carnival barker” narration in Blue Star’s show really adds to the production. And that flugelhorn soloist in the palm reading section is gold! She does another great job in the trumpet duet a little later on. I love the addition of the tight rope walker sideshow! Very clever, but I wonder if the effect would have been bigger if the “tight rope” was parallel to the front sideline instead of vertical? I like the costuming of the guard as they enter the carnival … the earth tone period costumes effectively evokes the idea of depression era commoners looking for a little entertainment to brighten their dreary day to day existence. It was nice to see the rifle toss over the carried guard member who takes the place of the couch from last year’s show. A very clever wink and a nod. Crossmen: I enjoy the show a lot, but I would love to see less time devoted to paper airplanes and more to butterflies. But that’s just me. Colts: Wouldn’t it be brilliant if instead of Johnny Staccato, they had Nick Danger? I know that Staccato is a musical reference, but still… For those of you who caught the reference, another bit of trivia – in Firesign Theatre’s Peorgie Tirebiter bit, SCV’s drum line made a cameo appearance in the pep rally sequence. Troopers: I love the horn line … but are they being held back a bit? And just a quick observation on Crossmen, Colts and Troopers--might as well throw in Boston, even though they weren’t at the show. Am I the only one who thinks it is interesting that all these corps fighting for the last spots for finals rely on live singers while none of the top four do (I haven’t seen SCV yet, so I can’t comment on their use of a singer)?

I was very happy to meet you as well! I felt kind of awkward interrupting your conversation last night. I could tell you were engaged, but I thought you would want to know about the passing of VIc Firth in case you wanted to make an announcement.

I think the construction on the new ramp from I 270 to Rt 33 was a big factor for a lot of people not familiar with the Columbus construction this year. Hopefully, next year this won't be an issue.

Random thoughts: I haven’t posted on DCP since early July since I haven’t seen any shows live since that time. One thing I think is clear: for some shows , this year more than in the past, you just have to see live and in person (e.g. Bluecoats), and for that reason I have been quiet on the boards. That, and I don’t really enjoy huddling over my desktop squinting at DCI Live! But … Wow! What a show! There are years I admire, respect and am in awe of Blue Devils. Some years, like last year, I even enjoy them. This year, I admire, respect and am in awe of Blue Devils … and I really like the show! That guard is simply amazing! I am not a guard person by any measure. When I marched, I was a horn player, so I tend to focus on the horn line and drill (or body movements) of the corps proper. But with Blue Devils, I simply could not take my eyes off of the guard. OK, every once and a while, I would check out the drill, and there were some very interesting and innovative progressions, but still … that guard! I love how they keep those sabers in the air for what seems like hours for each toss. And the height of those tosses! If this was last year, Major Tom could have snatched some of those sabers when he was in low earth orbit! I remember back in the day when tossing 6s or 7s was a big deal and those tosses were reserved for big impact moments. I swear BD was tossing 10s and 12s all the freaking time!* It was like good old-school guard on steroids! That rifle exchange from the step ladders to the field and back was just brilliant! And I loved how those guard members emerged from the pages of the books at the start of the show. Yes, BD is sometimes poo-pooed for staging their technical horn runs in such a way that the eye is drawn away from the parked brass, and that is true this year … until the last minute of the show which is pure run and gun. I loved it! Great show, BD! And then there is Bluecoats. I love this show! A lot of cyber-ink has been spilled describing the innovations of this show so I will cut right to the chase. The new ending is spectacular! From the frenetic movement around the orbs like electrons around a nucleus , to the new and improved horn push, to the levitating of the horn player on the central orb at the end is a huge improvement over the early season version. By the way, a bit of trivia: the horn player featured on top of the orb at the end of the show is the same horn player who leaped off the ramp at the end of last year’s show. Now all that Coats have to do is have the guard run with that orb off a ramp with the horn player, and land in the assembled tuba section to really kick the GE into high gear. * OK, as has been pointed out by those who are much more qualified than I am, the tosses were more likely 6s and possible 7s. Still, they seemed to last forever to me.

Congratulations Garfield on a marvelously well run show! From what I could tell, you must have set attendance records last night! The food trucks were a big hit. I thought the electronic programs were very smart. I didn’t miss the paper and ink versions at all, although Blue Devils may have missed the ink. I hope you raised bucket loads of $$$ for the program!

The food trucks are a hit! I think you will need to book ten trucks for next year. The lines go on forever!

When does the ticket booth open for business?

Wow, in that case, I think we really overshot this. Personally, I was shooting for Ozzie Osbourne!

We are so doomed to Crown's show. Fortunately it is level 2.

I was noodling around the idea of small tenor drum heads and what a lady might use for "safe posting," but couldn't quite make it work.

Hilarious!

After last night, I think that is the question on everyone's mind. (Yes, yes, I know different shows ... Can't really compare, but still we do.)

As punishment, you are hereby sentenced to the seventh level of Crown's show!

That's what Cadets need! The Typhoid Mary Brigade!

I hate it when real life intrudes on my favorite activity.

New busses. That's what's needed. Actually, I like the blend of the updated classic 220+ bpm book and drill with the more modern waltze section and French Horn feature. There is room for hybrids like this, and it could actually win, let's not forget.

That bodes extremely well. Perhaps some refinements in the closer? Time will tell!

But be careful ... Rumor has it BAC is adding flying dragons to their opener. I would hate to see toasted Cadets.

I just thought the whole thing was kind of funny. I saw the quote, imagined the firestorm which would (and to a minor extent) did ensue, and quietly chuckled to myself.

Wow! A 55th placement in drums is really hard to overcome! I keed! I keed!

When I first embarked on my journey, I brought a towel. The towel made all the difference.