Guardguy89

thanks! That year started rough (we had to scrap the middle number) - but ended up being awesome. Alot of people came back from '88 - all the hard work we did that year really paid off in '89! Later, Mike

I fell in love with the Cavies '82 show when I saw it in Montreal that year. They were far from being the best corps out there - but there was something about them that made me decide that I would march there one day - and I did!!! later, Mike Cavies '88 - '89

Thanks - but honesty I'm not shelling out over $100$ for a DVD missing the Blue Devils. Guess I'll just buy it next summer at a show in the States. That should solve it. Later, Mike

From a staging point og view......sure. But Blue Devils will never be one of those corps that I watch on high cam not to miss any of the drill moves. They are the one corps I prefer close up - the "drill effects" just don't add up for me. Later, Mike

Am I the only one that can't find the International tab? What a slap in the face this is to "Non US" people - thanks DCI!!!! I feel the love! Mike

Just a great perspective of every corps this year - and I agreed with pretty much everything you said....although I still think Crown should have won guard Later, Mike

How do you not get the counting? It's an integral part of Einstein on the Beach. I'd understand not liking it....but not getting it???? Later, Mike

I started loving the narration in the ballad when I took the time to actually listen to it without my cynicism glasses - once those were off - I understood the simply / naive / young at heart narration for what it was. Later, Mike

I agree - in that I wouldn't call them dirty at all. But creativity is highly suggestive - and from my perspective Crown is much more creative and visually appealing with their staging and written book - not to mention the performance and demand placed on the members. My ultimate fear (and fear is a big word) is returning to what guards were in the '80's when you do a whole show with no weapons at all, some chain flags and whatever strange props you could find to spin. The mid to late '80's were not a great time for guards equipment wise! Again - no problem with their guard - but I just don't get the numbers (and yes I have taught DCI, WGI and DCA for years and years - so I'm approaching it from an educated - at least I hope - perspective) Later, Mike

I just fail to see how using other props is seen as an increase in difficulty. Properly manipulating a rifle / sabre or flag is much more difficult than manipulating a half circle. Crown's sabre book in the opener alone should be enough to guarantee them the guard trophy. I also don't agree that this is a direct result of WGI - as in WGI there are clear guidelines set as to what is considered equipment and what isn't and their usage in shows - if anything WGI is more about traditional equipment use than DCI is now. Later, Mike

I still can't believe the credit that BD is being given in guard....I just don't get it. I've said it in other threads and I'll say it here: As much as I appreciate BD's guard -I just can't agree that they have more difficulty or responsability than Crown and Vanguard. Equipement wise alone - 1/2 of BD's guard doesn't even touch equipement until a good 4 - 5 minutes into the show. I like their use of hoops, and semi circles and balls, but compare that to what Crown and Vanguard is being asked to do on weapon (almost constantly) along with the body / movement / equipement triad that they have (BD concentrates on one or the other) and then look at their comparative flag books......and BD should be a 3rd place guard program at this point with achievement being higher than content. Sad thing is that they'll still be in first tonight as Debbie is judging. It's kind of a shame really. Later, Mike

As much as I appreciate BD's guard -I just can't agree that they have more difficulty or responsability than Crown and Vanguard. Equipement wise alone - 1/2 of BD's guard doesn't even touch equipement until a good 4 - 5 minutes into the show. I like their use of hoops, and semi circles and balls, but compare that to what Crown and Vanguard is being asked to do on weapon (almost constantly) along with the body / movement / equipement triad that they have (BD concentrates on one or the other) and then look at their comparative flag books......and BD should be a 3rd place guard program at this point with achievement being higher than content. Later, Mike

You know, I really like the idea behind this show - I even like the announcer at the beginning (makes alot of sense if you've seen the movie Cabaret - some of his lines are exactly the same) - what I don't get is why they called it Piano Man and stuck that last song in there (complete with the sing along) - the 1930's Bob Fosse Cabaret theme could have been a great one had they pushed it more and made it a bit darker as the show progressed. But overall, if with the major design flaws this year, I really do enjoy this show! Mike

Blue Devils '82 - so innovative and different for the time Cadet's '83 - a perfect visual reflection of the show - extremely classy and elegant Vanguard '85 - Just so great all around that year Spirit '86 - What a great guard (the Georgia Brown stuff was so cool) Suncoast '88 - a very different approach to guard that year Cadets '93 - One of the best flag features at the end of the opener and killer rifle work Star '93 - made even more phenomenal by the fact that up until then, they did not have a good guard program Cavies '94 - Rituals ! Cavies '95 - The Planets Bluecoats '95 - another huge improvement from the years before - this show rocked - so clean!!!! Phantom '96 - the red dress year - stellar color guard. The flag solo in the first hit in a genius idea ! BD - 99 the entire guard on rifle and sabre - ridiculously good Cavies '00 - Niagara Falls Vanguard '00 - very underrated - but such a great guard that year Cadets '01 - all around great guard that year with an awesome dance feature Phantom Regiment 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2011, 2012, 2013 - they've had some strong guards recently Cadets 05 - The mirror work in the ballad is gorgeous Bluecoats 05 - Caravan - strong guard that year Crown - Every year from 2003 on - one of the strongest guard programs (in my opinion) out there Vanguard 2013 - one of their strongest guard programs ever! I'm sure I forgot a ton - but these are the ones that popped up to my mind immediately Later, Mike

well, it,s not like drum corps never borrows from marching band - I think if it works - they should go for it - the puppet is just too cheesy!!! Later, Mike

I agree - have a guard member portray her - and to make her more menacing rig a "floating" dress over the stage and a ladder to build a similar effect to the Wicked witch from "Wicked" when she sings Defying Gravity: Seems much more effect could be created this way! Later, Mike

So I was watching Academy's show - I really llke the idea behind it - they are just dirty as heck - but I noticed that the chairs were not there. I don't think they got rid of them - as the guard does the exact same movement as if they were on the chairs - so just wondering if anyonw knew what happened??? I really hope they can celan this - it's a fun show!!!! They need a a new guard designer though. Later, Mike

I find it funny that I get a (-) for my comment - when all I'm saying is that I think they have a good guard - but a horrible guard outfit. It's called an opinion people - we all have one. :rolleyes:/> Later, Mike

I'll have to agree with the poster who mentioned the guard outfits this year. I don't know how anyone can think that they express the music in any way. The music is reverential (Adagio) or dark and aggressive (especially Medea) - how that color scheme and look even fits in is beyond me. Not only do they look "clownish" the colors really clash with the corps proper. I think that what they are being asked to do is mostly fine (with the exception of those poles in the ballad that add absolutely nothing) - but it's hard to match their outfits with what they are trying to represent - it's almost like they received the wrong uniforms and decided to just use them anyway. I think they should be 4th or 5th in guard - and that's great when you look at the absolutely extraordinary guards out there this year. Guard outfit design has plagued Cadets on and off for a while now. They actually changed them during the year 2 times in recent years - I hope they do the same this year. Later, Mike

Yeah, that puppet thing was the cheesiest thing I ever saw. I really hope they get rid of it. It brings a level of tackiness to an otherwise good show. Later, Mike

How does BD keep getting so much credit for their guard. Half the guard doesn't even really touch equipment until a good 3 minutes in, there's no body under tosses - ever, and they basically just pick up equipment, run to their sets and then do work on place. I even saw flags just walking front field with their flags stripped and no work!! I just don't get it - other guards would get murdered for doing any of the above!!!

Not a great run guard wise for Cadets tonight .....ouch

I think this is one of the best guards Vanguard has ever had!!!! And their book is stunning - so musical !!!!!!

Wait...she killed a puppet ????

OK - so it wasn't just me! I was wondering what was going on.