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JimF-LowBari

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Posts posted by JimF-LowBari

  1. Hey Jim,

    Speaking of "Nazi Gestabo", the Pittsburgh Rockets famous headgear was original bought from the German goverment and were used by that countries police force....Maybe a story for another time.....

    Pgh Guy Bari 2

    John G

    That might be a idea for a Mike Boo column. "Your Uniform Came from Where?". Westshoremen was in the middle of the used uniform market in the mid 1970s. Bought used Blue Devil unis in 1976. Then I saw on another thread that the NY Defenders bought the unis we got rid of when we bought from BD. Funny thing was the cadet style jackets we sold to Defenders didn't "breathe" worth a crap so you had humidity of 150% inside. Always thought they ended up in the Toxic Waste dump instead of being "recycled". b**bs

  2. Disclaimer: No disrespect intended to Hanover or National YMCA groups. Following is a light hearted look at a different kind of gig.

    Different <hades>, this beat out playing for a lumber yard as the wierdest gig I even did. The gig was to play during the opening ceremonies of the National YMCA Gymnastics Championships. Think of a small size Olympic ceremony inside and you get the idea.

    Corps showed up an hour before we were due to play to work out any "logistics problems" which was a nice way to put it. Ceremonies were held in a AHL ice hockey arena built out of concrete in the mid 1930s. (Remember the words "indoors" and "built out of concrete".) There was no room for the corps on the floor of the arena as the space was taken up by 1400+ young people. Soooooo, where to put the corps? :lol:

    Answer was to put us on the walkway halfway up the seating area. Walkway is only a few feet wide so the entire corps (about 60 members) were spread out in a single line. IOW - one end of the horn line was 100-150 feet from the other end of the horn line, withj drums in the middle. Drum Major stood on the back of the speakers platform on the floor (waaay down there) so the whole corps could see him. (Got a nice shot of the back of his head on the evening news. :P )

    That would be bad enough but add on the acoustics from Hades (remember "built out of concrete?). The floor is also all concrete and as the athletes came in their bodies helped to muffle the echo effect. You could actually hear the difference with people in the seats. Only way to play was ignore the echo hitting you about one beat late and watch the DM. Or if you had to listen, listen to the person next to you and hope they were right. :sshh:

    We played for 30 minutes while people started coming into the place (starting with the acoustics of a totally empty concrete box :lol: ). Then did the National Athem and played while the athletes came in (20+ minutes) followed by many speeches. Then played a couple numbers while the place emptied out.

    Worst part was the acoustics (duh) and heat/humidity in the place.

    Best part was we didn't have to play "YMCA" but they did put the Village Peoples version over the loudspeakers. Kids really got into it and some of the corps members did too. :lol:

    PS to Jeff and Cozy. Before the gig I took a bathroom break under the stands of the Stadium. The entrances to the field were gated off so that killed the temptation of playing a few notes there. But I was muttering "This one's for you HERCO" as I was.. ahem.. taking care of business. <**>

  3. I would think it would just be a standard mixing (Sound) board and standard amp and a snake. <rest clipped for brevity>

    Standard amp is what makes the idea unworkable IMO. Reason is it sounds like the same amp would be used at places as huge as Whitewater and as small as Westminster, MD and Gettysburg, PA. Either Westy and G-burg would get blasted back to the Stone Age by the volume or 90% of Whitewater fans couldn't hear a thing.

    PS - Anyone at the ends of the stands at Gettysburg couldn't hear Cadets amp beacuse it was pointed away from them.

    And audiodb.... <smacking head> NOW I get you, I was beginning to worry buddy. :ph34r:

  4. I am just going to guess but was it Lasalle Cadets or Hurricanes? I am thinking it was Lasalle because of the leaf on the headgear.

    And thank you Nanci for letting me know Keith answered :P Psst yerself ^0^ :P

    Good idea on the Hurrcs but not sure what headgear they wore in early 60s.

    Pretty sure it's the Reilly Raiders fom Philly. Reilly always did Irish music and their attitude was "get in my way I'll march over you". Reilly beat the SF Renegades by about 40 years in wearing bad ### black unis. From what I read (thank you Carol Hooten) the brim of the hats were worn 2 finger widths above the nose (check the cartoon again). Again, wearing a hat that low was considered bad ###ed. Not to mention wearing something that looked like a Nazi "Gestapo" hat that soon after the end of WWII.

    Never saw the corps but have some of their recordings. Considered one the the best Sr corps in 50s/60s and unfortuately broke up in the late 1960s.

  5. As I interpreted the post where that idea originated, the objective was to provide a "standard" amplification system. I just thought it would be more practical to have DCI provide four such systems, as opposed to 100 different TEPs providing one each.

    I don't think the corps will go for this idea, though, as it "stifles creativity".

    How would a "standard" amp system work as each stadium is different in layout and size.

    Probably misreading "standard" so thought I'd ask... :ph34r:

    Man would amps set up for Whitewater/Gillette Stadium blow the stands back at Gettysburg or Westminster. ^0^

  6. I remember hearing about The Lancer's Drum Major after the parade last year. It made us all very sad and still does. I worry about some of our less healthy and older members marching in these parades. No one wants to "let the corps down" but really, your safety is much more important. Parading sounds like fun and looks easy but in the heat, playing a bugle or drum or carrying a flag really takes a toll on the body. It gets harder for us every year and difficult to put a respectable number on the street for the sponsors.

    The Yankee Rebels and Archer Epler are once again at Havre De Grace and we usually share some food and beverage at the American Legion afterwards. It's good to get together with Archie and it would be nice if the Lancers could come back also. :ph34r:

    Thanks Robbie, my wife gives me the "pay attention to your body" talk a lot more since Posie passed. And I learned to call her on the cell phone after hot gigs to let her know that everythig is OK. One good thing about Alumni corps is no one gives you any crap if you step out of line for a while. They're more concerned about your health.

    This is my third year of parading with the Hanover gang and doubt if we'll be able to meet up with other corps after the parades. After Havre de Grace we catch our breath, change and grab some food at the greasy carnival food stands.... errrr partake of the "unique" food at the stands. Then we catch the bus back. The other day we do Dundalk and Towson "only". Then we hit the hot dogs, ice cream and soda/beer and the Towson AL.

    Last year I had the chance to talk to some Archie members before Havre de Grace. Hope I get to talk to member sof other corps this year also.

  7. achem....yes it was WONDERFUL to wake up to tap tap tap on my back...be nice...it was THE RAIN !!!! it really upsets me, i am afraid my swing will fall.. ^0^ :blink::worthy: CRAP it's raining again !!!

    Yes, I remember by brother coming out on the field (not out of closet on field, pleease) with the satin uni and silver sash. He only wore it to maybe 2 shows his first year...80?...then we got the new uniforms...

    Ok Jim i will bring them to the Hbg show.

    Thanks...

    And Bobs first year was my last.... 1979.....

  8. I was? I can't even remember that. :D

    And the word's "truthiness". Now go and brush up on your Colbert Report. :P

    colbert1.jpg

    And he's quick on the draw too!! :P

    Think someone asked what all was allowed under the proposal. You mentioned that corps could have amped vocals because there was nothing in the proposal banning the idea. And then the flames started. :P

    As far as Colbert Report, I'm more into "Mind of Mancia". Or as my wife calls it "Not that show again?" :blink:

  9. The reasoning behind the original amp proposal was so the mallet players could use proper technique to be heard. IOW there was a sound balance issue between the pit and the rest of the corps. Answer was to amp the pit to achieve balance for that area of the corps.

    Now we have amped vocals. Why? <pause 2 seconds ^0^ > Because unamped vocals cannot be heard over the corps or in the stands. IOW - yes another balance problem.

    In my job I have to think ahead to the next few steps. Did the same thing here and realize the only thing holding back balancing the entire corps is a lack of technology. My thoughts are that when technology catches up someone will want to rig up an entire corps so they can be balanced the same way you see at rock concerts.

    Any thoughts from the peanut gallery? :P

    And this is not a satirical post, I am serious.

    Wow - remember when Gadget said the amp proposal allowed amplified vocals and he got flamed for his truthfulness.

  10. i remember that! Hershey was early that year and you didnt have the unis yet

    Still.... can't.... remember..... this.... :blink:

    Remember freezing our butts off at the Rochester show. At old Aquinas stadium facing backfield doing the warm up and people had blankets in their laps and wearing snowmobile gloves. The applause was like "thuump, thuump....".

    Guess it proves I'm the oldest of theis group. :blink:

  11. ^OO^ ^OO^

    Hey Jim... if I can stay for the entire prelims show, so can you!!!!! :P

    (Then again, I HAVE to stay for the entire prelims show... don't have much choice....LOL. In fact, Barbara and I are usually among the last people out of the stadium. )

    Fran

    And Barbs got Friday night I&E also. :blink:

    Yeah, think I'd bet money you'd be missed at Prelims Fran. :P

    And it would be hard to sneak out with that shirt. ^0^

  12. Lancers usual Fourth of July tour

    Sunday July 2nd - Havre de Grace, MD

    Tuesday July 4th - Dundalk and Towson.

    Last year Heat Wave made the Maryland swing now it's CGs turn. :blink: Archer Epler and Yankee Rebels are usually in those parades also. Hope our corps get a chance to stop and talk. :)

    *sigh* Havre de Grace will be tough. Last year our long time DM Posey Pfaff went down with a fatal heart attack during the parade. Corps has had black ribbons on our equipment ever since. Don't know what will be worse, marching past the area where Posey went down or taking the ribbons off afterwards.

  13. I've got em...how can i get them to you...outof my mind right now...fighting with roofer...new roof april 05 and leaked 2x...BIG time...today he says oh well, that's what you get for buying architectureal shingles? need good tough as skunk #### lawyer...any ideas out there? helppppppp from my very bedroom with a waterfall ....BB

    Email or meet up at Central Dauphin show would be cool, thanks. Will check closer to show time as this spring/summer has been a disaster planning stuff. My moms been in the hospital twice in three months with various problems and hope she gets out (and stays the #### out) this week. Only good thing is she has a new doc and he has been keeping her in while he checks (and many cases fixes) what the previous smuck left go for years.

    Ben can't remember the beginning of 1979 at all. One big friggin' blur that probably is because I was freaking out realizing I would graduate in December and had no ####### idea where I should live.

  14. What we all have are opinions and theories. I respect those of you who do not like the Cadets, or simply do not like the modern version of this corps. And I feel you SHOULD vent your frustrations. You have a right to, and it is important that you share that. And for those of you who like the Cadets and maybe also like this current installment, just let it go. Don't feel as though you need to defend them all the time, just state your opinions as well, but do so without telling the other guy he's wrong.

    :wall: And speaking for myself, I get a chance early on each season to see what is being done regarding amps and vocals. If I like what is on the field I will start attending Div I shows (if possible). So far I don't like which is my right. And those who do appreciate or like it and go to the shows... s'cool.

  15. On the internet people could indeed sign more than once from different IP addresses. And...paper-wise they could as well if they wanted to.

    However, my response to Jim made no value judgements on any side of anything...it was a generic 'who knows' comment..and I even said 'who knows' in the post...hence your reply is totally invalid as it relates to my post to Jim.

    Oh, oh... Mike and I might actually agree on something. :wall: IOW, there are too many unknowns and what ifs to really draw firm conclusions on what the fans really think.

    And $1 to Bill Clinton, it also depends on what you mean by fans and "use of amps".

    What year were the paper and on-line petitions drawn up? I remember a bunch of people would not sign until they saw amps being used as they wanted to keep an open mind.

  16. Parking for big football games was always a pain in the ###. And with the schools getting bigger it hasn't gotten any easier. Wonder if Five Star will contact the Methodist(?) church (NE corner of Houcks/Locust Lane) about using their parking lot. Seem to remember church using that as a fund raiser some nights. Other than that, believe it's side street parking only.

  17. pssst...it was Lancerlady, she of the brand new baby.

    As for how many were not happy...it might also be 'Perhaps fewer people than DCI was aware of'. Who knows?

    For some reason I always get LancerLady and byline confused. No idea why. Must be because Revere and Toronto(?) are close :P

    One thing I would like to know (but it would be next to impossible to find out) is this:

    What percent of pro/anti/don't care about amp people are long term fans of Drum Corps.

    What percentage of pro/anti/don't care about amp people are following corps because they know someone in the corps. And after the family member or whoever is gone, they are gone also. (Talk about a moving target.)

    Wondering because I have the feeling the people following family members don't care what DCI does on the field.

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