ImissButchandGeorge
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Posts posted by ImissButchandGeorge
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Obviously, based on my screen name, Butch Anderson and George Parks.
But actually, I kinda missed ace photog Moe Knox at this year's DCA finals. I always joked with my wife that his bell-bottom slacks (which he wore at EVERY friggin' show - musta been the good photo takin' pants) could stand on their own in the corner! Ha ha ha.
(Moe, love ya if you're reading)
Oh yeah, Mike DiMeo from Brigs - one of the best soloists ever - dude never missed!
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He was TRULY amazing..... one year...Think it was 89' (Vic???) he drove down to DCA in PA.... well it seems while he was there ...he totaled his car or something...had to take the bus back to CT. With us.
this probably doesn't count, but does anyone remember a DCA corps in the late 70's doing a "domino" thing where members fell on each other?
my Dad always talks about it when he recounts days gone by and I wonder if anyone can speak to it and tell me what it looked or felt like.
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Dear DCA / Alumni / Whatever circuit / Geriatricorps forum
Long gone are the days of multiple open complainers in this forum... Complaining made for good publicity... I mean just today we had TWO complainers! This is almost unheard of these days! Where have they all gone? What fun is it to read non-complaining drivel?
Frankly, I love to read posts where someone gets up on the wrong side of the bed in the morning... or when someone gets their preverbal fruitloops pee'd upon. This makes for interesting reading. Interesting reading means traffic and excitement! I guess that makes me a complainer too… well, nah, not really. I ‘m just bein’ silly. Silly me.
Comon’ everyone! Complain a little! Join the ranks of the misunderstood, malcontent and victimized! Sauce it up!
Arrghhh!
b**bs
you haven't read any of my posts then! I get blasted all the time and have really stirred up a ruckus with my brutally honest reviews of shows, especially the 2004 DCI/DCA Hershey show and the 2005 DCA finals. I'll see if I can dig 'em up and give you a dose of "this is how I really see it and I don't care what the board thinks."
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To I missbutch and george:
Of course you are entitled to your own opinion about the Cabs O5 hornline, but I think your opinion lacks validity. I've played in the CABS hornline the past three years, so naturally I have my own perspective and bias. However, the difference between us is that I would check as much unbiased data as I could before I made such strong public pronouncements. I suggest that you look at the brass scores from the finals where knowledgeable judges on the field placed our hornline almost even with Minn Brass and only slightly down from the Renegades and Brigs. Based on your own opinions, Minnesota and the Renegades were very good. So, the data shows that the CABS hornline performed almost as well as corps you judged to be very good.
I was with the CABS all winter, spring and summer, so I witnessed the dramatic changes the hornline went through. While we have had better scores and placements in the past, I can tell you that a lot of corps would not have made it through the challenges we faced. How many corps could lose the number of members and support staff we did in one year and still come back to field a competitive corps scoring in the 90's.
I am proud of the 05 CABS. We had an awesome drumline, the color guard really pulled it together, and the brassline was respectable. I can't wait to get started on the 06 60th anniversary show.
Mike Risley (Doc)
Cabs soprano/trumpet 03-present
ok. but dude, you finished in SEVENTH! not only that, but you were almost 4 POINTS behind the sixth-place corps. CABS are always very, very strong with an outstanding horn line. I love the Cabs. sorry, but it wasn't there this year. I was shocked to see you drop so far. do you know the last time you finished in 7th??? try 1969.
this is where I get frustrated with drum corps types. reality doesn't even deter your self congratulatory views of your performance - good or bad.
the 7th place finish speaks for itself and supports my statements.
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This "review" reminded me of everything I hated about RAMD and why I stopped reading it 3 years ago. Don't hold back, tell us what you really think. Sum up a top four corps as the mighty falling, and perhaps the most successful corps in history (Jr. or Sr.) as a disaster.
You might miss Butch and George, but I'd bet neither of them would agree with your assessment of these corps. And yeah, I knew them both.
Hey, whattya know! There's my "smart alec" review of your review. Maybe I should be back on RAMD, that nattering nabob of negativity.
Oh yeah, whoever said that singing the music is easy compared to playing it, probably doesn't do either particularly well. I don't disagree with you on this... you're actually just wrong.
(I should last about 1 day on this forum).
good for you. honest emotion and criticism. very rare here.
hey, I call it like I see it. some of the corps sucked this year, some didn't. sorry If I hurt anyone's feelings. that's why it's a "forum." everyone gets to post and comment.
sometimes music geniuses and those playing on the field and in the corps get a jaded view of what their performances look and sound like. I didn't see a whole lot that was great in 05. just my opinion.
(ok, go ahead and post your snarky comments about how opinions are like <removed-word filter circumventing-BDL> here. I'm ready for ya)
I choose to be frank, Frank. got the vector, Victor? over, Unger.
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I strongly disagree with much of this review, but it is refreshing to see someone put up their real opinion and not just "Everyone was great"
I say this as a member of a group the reviewer didn't particularly care for.
thank you. yes, I do think everone is a little too nice with the reviews. I liked you guys and you have come a long way, of which I'm very impressed. however, the product is just a bit bland, like most of the corps this year.
I know you have to keep it clean to win over the judges, but that kills a lot of the entertainment and showmanship that make drum corps exciting and watchable over many performances
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This is a bit OT, but I have to add to what Amy posted. When George Parks spoke to the corps before the end of our last rehearsal on Sunday, it was truly a great moment for the Buccaneers. All of the mystique from the past seemed to fill the members of the current corps as he spoke so fondly of his years with the Bucs and the great tradition that preceeded and followed him.
At the victory concert after Finals, George locked into a salute with our current Drum Major, Josh Decker, for a solid minute. It was a very cool moment to witness.
Congrats to all the corps that participated in 2005. It was a great year for DCA.
guys, that is so cool. I'm glad he's still around and sorry he's not still majoring. when I was a young boy going to my first shows in the early 80's, there were few things more cool than George Parks with the mace, and Butch Anderson with the histrionics - and you can see that I honor them with my tag name. drum majoring in DCA (and in general) took a big step backwards when they hung it up
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i'll tell you what DCI people have told me...if you hate it that much, dont bother coming around.
cause i feel about them the exact way you feel about DCA
nah, I don't hate DCA - just a bit frustrated and airing my feelings in a frank and honest manner. I'll keep coming. haven't missed since late early 90's. (unless they go to Carolina!)
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A few random thoughts from DCA finals. In no particular order
- great program! Could you make the type smaller and more blurry for me in 2006? looks like you really put a lot of time and effort into this one, DCA. Crowd members over the age of 50 were seen all night handing over their programs to the grandkids. Did you type that stuff out on a manual typewriter or use a dot-matrix printer??? Goodness, join the printing revolution.
- Brigs: did I just sleep through that whole performance? My, How the mighty have fallen. Hope you can pick it up next year boys. No pizzazz, boring music, horns, which are normally awesome, failed to impress. Drums, as usual, faded into the background. Still the best looking uniform out there.
- Cabs: what a disaster. Looks like you really thinned out in ’05. can’t believe you could have slipped this far back. Like Brigs, your horns usually carry you. This could be the worst horn line I’ve seen out of you in years. guard was non-existant after many strong years.
- Renegades: took the “best corps to look like a religious cult” award for 2005. look for an Am Legion member to give out that trophy in ’06. the only corps to actually get me to the edge of my seat and capture me. Love you dudes. Dramatic, tension-building stuff. Too bad you’re not on the east coast more. You know it – you’ve gotta march a little more.
- Bucs: clean, cleaner and cleanest. GREAT drums, crisp horns, nice marching and best (by far) down-tempo piece of the contest with “Adagio.” Beautiful and haunting. Congrats after waiting 25 years for your return to glory. Parksie is happy somewhere.
- Min Brass: typical east-coast bias. Loved your unis better when they were worn by……………..the Blue Devils. and your drill better when it was done by …………….the Blue Devils. Just kidding. Always a breath of fresh air from the Midwest and hot, screaming soloists. Nice color from the guard and loved the way you expanded the field.
- Empire: pretty nice show. Normally, I hate the Empire gimmicks – big props, snare drummers on kits, tap dancers, the big tank in the mid-eighties, whatever – but this year the Carmen chase thing worked. Clean horns, a little boring in drums, wouldn’t be the Statesmen if Dave didn’t have the spats on.
- Bush: I think it needs a little more cowbell. Seriously,. if you clang that liberty bell again, I might wind up in an insane asylum. Please stop! Happy you keep your uni the same, with a little variation. Very original and distinct look. OK show. You didn’t do anything that I particularly remember. (excepting the bells. the darn bells)
- “La Festa:” I’ll miss the mullet and Sopranos crowd. Great food, terrible eye-candy, lousy Sinatra impersonators. Downtown Scranton has come a long way. Some of the buildings are really historic and beautiful. Seasoned shrimp ke-babs rock! “walking” penne ala vodka rocks!
- Lack Cty Stadium: prob best acoustics of any venue in my recent memory. That will be sorely missed. Not a bad seat from the 30 to the 30, low or high. Weather was ridiculously perfect. Predictably, stadium restaurant shut down early. Way to capitalize on the crowds of hungry people! Did something go haywire in the left field corner? Weren’t they working on that monstrosity in 2003 and 2004??? We’ll miss you Scranton.
- DCA seems to be the same thing every year – Cabs will do a latin show, Empire will have a big prop on the field, someone will drop off terribly from the previous year, many corps will do repeated park-and-blows, and generally, drills will be sloppy and un-inspiring. This is why DCI is more exciting guys. Yes, they have more money and more practice time, but the product is like from another planet. When Cadets did that signing drum part in finals, my jaw literally dropped. That’s the kind of innovation and creativity that DCA lacks but could capture. Many kudos for originality like Renegades and spot-on, clean performances like Bucs. They were the true class of 2005.
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Ummm... first off, don't blame the contras. I'm a bari and had at the very least a 9 step stride betweeen me and the bari in front of me. The Hurc next to me (sort of) and also not a contra had at least a 30 step gap. We also had a nice conversation. And since I was all by my lonesome, had a ton of beads and a pink boa on, I had a few rock star moments that I'll remember forever.
Second, if you want to blame anyone for being late, how about blaming it on all the awards that go to the best hangnail section sponsored by Aunt Esther and her bunion etc etc. Don't blame the corps, who, IMO, deserve to have their own "rock star" moment just so you can go home a little earlier. This is the end of a long season for some and the end of marching period for others.
Either get down here and join a corps, let us have our last few minutes to bask in or just suck it up for a little while. ^0^
I love it. you all get so upset with a "non-marcher."
sometimes you marchers can be so arrogant and think that the only people that matter are you. how about the money I spent to come see you? how about the time I took out of my schedule to be in Scranton? you should be ashamed to be criticizing fans. try having a show without us.
and again I say to you - pick up the pace. I'm sick of seeing your slow funeral march as you cleverly try to be the last person in line, all at the expense of the paying customer waiting anxiously to get the scores and get home. your selfishness slows to a grinding halt what was a very well paced show. that's soooo 1990. it was funny the first 15 times I saw it.
if Mickey was still around, (God bless his drum-corps heart), I'd call him first thing tomorrow and let him know that a few boa-wearing horns needed their 10.5 minutes of fame because it had been a "long-season" and that they really didn't care about the fans.
as for the dragged out awards for every conceivable drum-corps activity (does Dave Bruni or Jimmy Russo need ANOTHER drum major award??), I couldn't agree more. having said that, they sponsor these things and deserve a few minutes of your time.
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Did anyone catch the National Anthem with Al Chez playing lead SOP?
my bad.
used a old G bugle ( 2 valve ) for the first time in 19 years. -this is what the marines play on.
had about 10 minutes to fool with it before the performance.
did my best.
had fun anyway .
CHEZ
man, these guys killed you. guess they must have been a bit embarrassed when you actually replied. (and they're all perfect, by the way)
forget about all that anyway - how were Drew Barrymore's um, "friends?" LOL
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All;
Now that we have another DCA World Championship in the history book, would like to get comments GOOD or BAD about the weekend. DCA is making every effort to make the WHOLE weekend as enjoyable and smooth as possible. We made many changes based on last year comments.
Post to me privately if you would prefer, or reply to this post to let your comments seen publicly, either way, your comments will be shared with the DCA Officials.
William Aldrich/Thorpe
it was nice to get out early this year! about 11pm, which is just right. in years past, we didn't get out until midnight - even later if you stay for the encore.
a major bone of contention comes in the Olympic-style review. contra players, despite all their tradition and whatever as the "mavericks" of their corps, need to step it up and do away with the feet dragging that goes on.
not only does it look stupid, but it really holds things up. DCA should look into fining or penalizing for this behavior.
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and if you dont like the Marines, go down to the souvie area. i'm sure they'd love to see you
that's your EXACT comment. you said nothing about "going to the souvie area while they're on."
just shooting for a little accuracy here. maybe your INTENTION was such, but you didn't make it clear, and I took it as a comment that you wanted them to beat me up while I was down there.
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Jeffjetta wants to send me to the souvie area to meet up with the Marines,
He said nothing of the sort.
no i did not. i said if you dont like them go to the souvie area while they were on. the Marines have too much class to beat you....plus they'd be in trouble if they got their uni's dirty
and if you dont like the Marines, go down to the souvie area. i'm sure they'd love to see you
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IF I wanted your opinion, like the gorilla on the famous 1970's poster, I would beat it out of you. You're probably a little too young to remember this, so the attempt at humor was wasted. Sorry.
You're entitled to your opinion. Heck, the last time I saw them I yawned a couple times. But I also had a few goosebump experiences. You say po-tay-to, I say po-tah-to. Can't we just all get along!?!?!?
Al
BTW, you never marched and you love drum corps? God bless you!
ok. cool. now we're getting somewhere. yes, I LOVE drum corps!!!!!!!
I missed the humor in the joke. so much is lost in this format. no offense taken. (at least now!)
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Well as you can all see I am new to all of this... I think we can all agree to disagree especially when opinions are so varied.
You know...I loved the corps I saw and yeah everyone is entitled to their opinions...Blue Devils are a group I have never liked but Tom loves them....He watched and I streched my legs... So what ?!?! We didn't argue that I didn't stick around to see his favorite corps. We both have differnt opinions and neither of us just
to the other and say yours is right or wrong. I have been following this thread since Tom posted it. I have been amused and hurt too. Our young men and women in the Marine Corps Drum and Bugle Corps do a fantastic job...They may not be in your face Drum corps but they are to be commended for their tallent and their dicipline. If you are bored with their portion of the show then ...Go stretch your legs :)
Opinions and debate make the world go round and I will continue to enjoy the banter.
Best of luck to all the Corps in the rest of the season !!!!!!!!! You all are wonderful, talented, musicians and showmen.
you're right, I did stretch my legs, beacuse I've seen them before.
everyone here is convincing themselves that I hate the Marines. do I have to keep beating this drum? THEY'RE GREAT, TALENTED PEOPLE, as I've said in previous posts.
drum corps is an extremely difficult activity performed by talented, dedicated individuals and I love the activity, but if I can't express my opinion on their show in a funny, sarcastic way, then this website is pointless and debate is generally pointless.
if you all want to disagree with me, fine, but don't make it personal or try to tell me that I don't count because I'm not one of you or I don't post my name. that's juvenile stuff.
and remember that I will come back just as strong as you have come forward so that I can defend my position.
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No, I disrespect you because you say things like "I have to disagree with USMC. they just get more and more boring every time I see them, and they usually play too long. rah, rah, rah, Sousa March, crowd on feet, clapping in time, standing O - please stick a knife in my back." On the other hand, if you had said something like, "I know the crowd loves them, but it's just not the style of performance that I have any desire to see at a DCI show," then I'd respect your honest and politely stated opinion. See the difference?
Have a happy day.
fair point. I have apologized for those statements already in a previous post. however, this 'site cannot be all vanilla and happy-happy-joy-joy.
you have to take everyone's "take" on something. maybe my description was a bit crass or sarcastic. I was simply trying to be funny and critical at the same time.
I guess no one wants humor and criticism to mix in here.
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This is great! I imagine Tom D didn't expect such a great thread from a review of the Hershey show.
I have to "side" with IMissButchAndGeorge on this one. Maybe his put a knife in me about the Marines could be construed as a little over the top and not necessarily contructive criticism, but it was certainly colorful. And I really enjoy watching the Marines, but understand where he is coming from. I find a lot of the interaction on this site to be puerile and one sided. I mean....I don't want to log on and listen to a bunch of pissing and moaning and complaining either, but I think sometimes people have too much difficulty separating their own feelings from someone else's thoughts. Feelings and thoughts used intentionally. For example, I am still not quite sure what all the hub bub is about the Inspires, but I haven't said anything because the posters on DCP are so in love with them that I didn't want to get into a debate if I said anything to the contrary.
So........I applaud the poster for laying it out there and for his persevereance throughout this thread. I don't see where divulging his name has anything to do with anything. As somebody who has never marched, but knows how to read music and play trumpet and attended 100's of Jr. and Sr. shows over the last 25 years I would also agree with his statements about the typical ego of the "musician". This really isn't anything new or unique to drum corps. People do this in every activity. The problem is that the best musicians aren't the best writers and arrangers or conductors etc etc anymore than Deion Sanders would be a better head coach than Bill Cowher even though Sanders is a future Hall of Fame football coach and Cowher was nothing more than a 2nd rate linebacker and special teams specialist.
Just my two cents..........great thread.
Eric Watters
Atlanta, Ga.
:) he he
thank the lord! a voice of reason! man, I was waiting for someone to throw me a lifeline. thanks for that.
yes, my comment about the Marines was snarky and perhaps crude. I apologize for that one, but I thought that would get taken as somewhat humorous. boy, was I wrong.
it's unfortunate that the corps community can't seem to look at itself objectively enough and casts aside those that don't play/teach/march. I thought the goal of this 'site was to critique and cajol, (sometimes with humor and bite), bust chops and present differing opinions - regardless of accomplishment. guess not.
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you proved my point. you really are pompous. your little point-by-point analysis shows your true pettiness (and shallowness) in believing that anyone "outside" of the drum corps community can have any serious debate about or challenge the hard-headed beliefs of someone who marched or carried an instrument.
. . . . . . (etc., etc.)
/quote]
Let's put this to bed, already. No one ever said you weren't entitled to your opinion and you can challenge anything you want. But apparently, when you are challenged, that is not acceptable. Moreover, you sure do sound a little defensive about what you have done and haven't done - from all the things you describe yourself as having done in the drum corps activity, I can't imagine why you would consider yourself "outside" the drum corps community. No one here has said you were outside the community and thus not entitled state your opinion. We certainly can't know either way, since you choose not to mention who you are.
The bottom line is this: you can think whatever you want and you can say whatever you want. So can everyone else. But don't expect others to accept your opinions just because you say they should. That just ain't gonna happen. No one has said in any manner that you should not express your opinions. You've simply been asked to stand up and be accountable for your opinions and the ridicule you've chosen to cast upon others. Accountability comes by sharing your identity, but you've chosen not to do so. Someone who doesn't have the guts to stand up and be accountable for what they say and do isn't worth any more of my time. So, point made and I'm done.
this is getting exhausting. let's recall that you attacked me by saying my opinions were not valid because I chose not to leave my name. where's the equity in that? can you not accept the stuffiness of your argument? I fully accept any challenges to my opinions, but I will not stand for your attacks because of my lack of drum corps experience.
and again, with the "no guts" comment. thanks for the assassination - again. you're superior because you march - there, happy?. congratulations. feel better? your opinion is better than mine. you were right all along. drum corps people really are smarter because they participate.
regards,
D
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oh god, sorry about the slip-up on the dates. can't believe I'm apologizing to you. are you a lawyer or something?
um, actually yeah she is! LOL
I knew something was fishy!
she talk purty!
LOL
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I think he meant that if you don't want to watch a particular performance, you could go down to the souvie trucks and support the corps you like by buying merchandise ...
Aren't we over-reacting just a bit?
P.S. You may not have used any profanity, slammed anyone, or named names ... but you do use big blue letters, which is really annoying and hard to read. You've also insulted people, carried on like a petulant child, made a nuisance of yourself instead of just politely stating your opinions, and failed to notice when others are joking or exaggerating for effect. You've also criticized people for making simple typos. If you want to endear yourself to the rest of the DCP community, all it takes is a little effort. Otherwise, don't expect to be loved until you treat everyone else with a little respect.
P.P.S. Claiming that you have all this experience is all well and good, but there's no reason anyone should believe you if you don't use your real name. The simple fact is that people will automatically treat what anonymous posters have to say with less regard than people who sign their names. If George Hopkins, Jeff Fiedler, Chuck Naffier, Al Chez, and even Lee Rudniki can sign their names when they post to DCP, why can't you?
because it just doesn't matter! I would not disrespect any of their opinions if they did not tell me who they were. I don't look at any of your references. it absolutely doesn't matter to me. in fact, I find it rather vain that you (and others) have to quantify yourselves. I'm reading your words, not your resume. what you say is not based in relation to anything you have done. Al Chez or Geo Hopkins could still come off as a dummies if they say dumb things.
you and dvldawg and others have disrespected me because I choose not to tell you who I am. as I argued with her, would it really make a difference? would you go: "oh my god, that's Arturo Sandoval! now I really agree with what he's saying!" no! not if he called you names or dissed your corps.
apparently, words are not enough for you guys. you need proclamation and name recognition to be convinced, and that is why I am claiming unfairness. ALL of our opinions matter, references and marching experience aside.
sorry about the typo thing. it's a pet peeve. feel free to look for any in my posts and tell me about them. as you may figure out, I am kidding about this and simply look to gently tweak the poster. it's a way to endear yourself to him or her. you don't see that. fine.
as for being a "petulant child," and being a "nuisance," you sir, said you'd like to beat me up. I don't find that exaggerated or joking around. Marines don't talk like that. I took you for your word.
and please tell me whom I've insulted. I have used respect, spoken clearly, decisively and with great thought on the words I am about to use. I do not look for your love or endearment, just a little critical discussion and fun back-and-forth. I do have a cynical and smart-aleck style, and that rubs you the wrong way. sorry about that, but I haven't insulted anyone.
deal with the blue letters. I think they're quite fetching and very easy to read. I find the standard font very boring and attempt to make my posts easy to read for those who don't wish to strain their eyes on size 10 font.
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You're absolutely right, Fran. And if I ever want this guys opinion, I'll beat it out of him!
Al Maree, Jr.
Major, USMCR (Ret)
again with the hostility!
dvldawg thinks I should bow down to the fact that the Marines made us a free country, Jeffjetta wants to send me to the souvie area to meet up with the Marines, and a retired Marine wants to "beat my opinion out of me."
amazing.
you guys are a little defensive aren't you? maybe a little aggressive and hateful? can I not speak my mind in a critical way? apparently not here. I have not used any profanity, I have not slammed anyone, I have not named names. but you all want to jump on me.
if I've learned anything thus far, it's that this little closed community is not open for critique or analysis - and god forbid it should be from someone outside the ranks.
I'll keep posting. and I'll keep challenging. deal with me. respect someone else's views for a change without resorting to threats and implied injury.
I love you all. you make my summers better.
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paragraph by paragraph rebuttla:
yes i feel you are, because even when presented cold hard facts, you go on with your rant. and if this was viewed as cold, wow, you aint seen nothing online yet.
and they are there for more than 'the military thing". they actually draw fans. you do realize this particualr drum corps performs before more people than the top 12 combined?
and yes, i would gladly watch the Marines after DCi quarterfinals. i feel they make an excellent exclamation point to any show they appear at.
and if you dont like the Marines, go down to the souvie area. i'm sure they'd love to see you
everyone is so darned hostile when I challenge their ideas and beliefs!
to wit: "go down to the souvie area, I'm sure they'd love to see you." I can't do anything but laugh. what? are we in 4th grade? is someone going to beat me up because I don't like their gig? is this Stalinist Russia and I didn't notice? (I thought we were in America)
settle down Jeff. it's all good. as I have mentioned, TIME AND TIME AGAIN, what the Marines do is magnificent, but it has gotten boring to me after repeated viewings and I feel ("I Feel" means "my opinion") that they are on for too long.
I'm not on trial here, for goodness sakes. there hasn't been any presentation of "cold, hard facts," and I'm certainly not ranting. correct me if I'm wrong, but this is a website for ideas, opinions and debate.
I did not realize that they perform for more fans than the top 12 combined. thank you, but I'd like to see the "cold, hard facts" on that one. In the meantime, I'll trust your wisdom and respect your statement.
p.s. what does "rebuttla" mean?
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Speaking of 1978.....isn't your screen name a little 1978:) Totally kidding. I loved Butch Anderson and George Parks as much as anyone who had the privilage to watch them conduct.
yes, they were the best. drum corps died a little bit when they left. losing Jimmy Russo from the Cabs closed that door for good as well.
we may never see drum majors like that again and I was lucky enough to have seen all 3.
thanks for acknowledging my nickname and their brilliance!
cheers
I would just like to complain that...
in DCA - All-Age Corps Discussions
Posted
HERE YOU GO. MY BLAST OF THE FINALS IN 05.
- great program! Could you make the type smaller and more blurry for me in 2006? looks like you really put a lot of time and effort into this one, DCA. Crowd members over the age of 50 were seen all night handing over their programs to the grandkids. Did you type that stuff out on a manual typewriter or use a dot-matrix printer??? Goodness, join the printing revolution.
- Brigs: did I just sleep through that whole performance? My, How the mighty have fallen. Hope you can pick it up next year boys. No pizzazz, boring music, horns, which are normally awesome, failed to impress. Drums, as usual, faded into the background. Still the best looking uniform out there.
- Cabs: what a disaster. Looks like you really thinned out in ’05. can’t believe you could have slipped this far back. Like Brigs, your horns usually carry you. This could be the worst horn line I’ve seen out of you in years. guard was non-existant after many strong years.
- Renegades: took the “best corps to look like a religious cult” award for 2005. look for an Am Legion member to give out that trophy in ’06. the only corps to actually get me to the edge of my seat and capture me. Love you dudes. Dramatic, tension-building stuff. Too bad you’re not on the east coast more. You know it – you’ve gotta march a little more.
- Bucs: clean, cleaner and cleanest. GREAT drums, crisp horns, nice marching and best (by far) down-tempo piece of the contest with “Adagio.” Beautiful and haunting. Congrats after waiting 25 years for your return to glory. Parksie is happy somewhere.
- Min Brass: typical east-coast bias. Loved your unis better when they were worn by……………..the Blue Devils. and your drill better when it was done by …………….the Blue Devils. Just kidding. Always a breath of fresh air from the Midwest and hot, screaming soloists. Nice color from the guard and loved the way you expanded the field.
- Empire: pretty nice show. Normally, I hate the Empire gimmicks – big props, snare drummers on kits, tap dancers, the big tank in the mid-eighties, whatever – but this year the Carmen chase thing worked. Clean horns, a little boring in drums, wouldn’t be the Statesmen if Dave didn’t have the spats on.
- Bush: I think it needs a little more cowbell. Seriously,. if you clang that liberty bell again, I might wind up in an insane asylum. Please stop! Happy you keep your uni the same, with a little variation. Very original and distinct look. OK show. You didn’t do anything that I particularly remember. (excepting the bells. the darn bells)
- “La Festa:” I’ll miss the mullet and Sopranos crowd. Great food, terrible eye-candy, lousy Sinatra impersonators. Downtown Scranton has come a long way. Some of the buildings are really historic and beautiful. Seasoned shrimp ke-babs rock! “walking” penne ala vodka rocks!
- Lack Cty Stadium: prob best acoustics of any venue in my recent memory. That will be sorely missed. Not a bad seat from the 30 to the 30, low or high. Weather was ridiculously perfect. Predictably, stadium restaurant shut down early. Way to capitalize on the crowds of hungry people! Did something go haywire in the left field corner? Weren’t they working on that monstrosity in 2003 and 2004??? We’ll miss you Scranton.
- DCA seems to be the same thing every year – Cabs will do a latin show, Empire will have a big prop on the field, someone will drop off terribly from the previous year, many corps will do repeated park-and-blows, and generally, drills will be sloppy and un-inspiring. This is why DCI is more exciting guys. Yes, they have more money and more practice time, but the product is like from another planet. When Cadets did that signing drum part in finals, my jaw literally dropped. That’s the kind of innovation and creativity that DCA lacks but could capture. Many kudos for originality like Renegades and spot-on, clean performances like Bucs. They were the true class of 2005.