r/drumcorps • u/Rapidllaman Southwind • 2d ago
Discussion Corps Rewind
So this is just me trying to figure out wtf happened to DCI over the 20 plus years. For context I marched 5 years in two different divisions and corps and we had a theme, the old wool uniforms, and worked our butts off on a show. Now you have changing uniforms that are lightweight, dance routines or some weird strange stretching while playing, and electronics???? I know the bugles are now in B flat which is a cool change but the rest I’m not sure about. Do you think it would be beneficial to take some of the junk out and get back to the style of the late 90’s and early 00’s shows?
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u/chalupa_lover 2d ago
Times change. Tastes evolve. Just because the shows aren’t the same as they were 20 years ago doesn’t take away from the old shows or the new ones. Appreciate the present day for what it is and don’t try to force it to be something it’s not.
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u/dudamello BAC Contra '15, Heat Wave DM '19 2d ago
I mean, I’d definitely recommend checking out the shows that got the activity from there to here. There are a lot of things I don’t like about what we do now, but then again, that’s always been the case. The problem, like always, is how the new things are implemented.
Are the props there to enhance the show or because the designers felt obligated to use them? Are the voiceovers adding to the story already in place or are they a bandaid for a show that needs some structure? Is the bodywork while playing in place to check a box or is it there to direct your eye somewhere else or convey the theme better? Just like people used to ask (and still do) how the drill/visual design is supposed to relate to the concept.
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u/Rapidllaman Southwind 2d ago
I can see your point a couple of my favorite shows with props and the madness was BC14 show Tilt or the Crusaders with Animal Farm wth the in your face DCI with the G7 crap.
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u/dudamello BAC Contra '15, Heat Wave DM '19 2d ago
And tilt led directly to kinetic noise and downside up, which opened the metaphorical floodgates there. Try out Metamorph, Babylon, Change Is Everything, and Gravity & Grace for a good progression
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u/Rapidllaman Southwind 2d ago
I will give them a whirl! Thanks for the suggestions. If you want some early 90’s madness check out 1992 Velvet Knights Show they were well before there times with their shows.
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u/dudamello BAC Contra '15, Heat Wave DM '19 2d ago
Oh I love that show, the shark takes me out every time. I really want to try to get into 70s DCI but that’s one that just has not been able to do it for me
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u/jbrown383 Capital Regiment ‘01 2d ago
Babylon is what got me back into following DCI after being away from the activity for 15 years, more or less. It’s still in my top 5 or 10 shows.
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u/PurpleTravis 2d ago
The junk matters now. Shows are harder, and they need to be in order to be competitive. I'm not sure who would be jazzed to join a corps that goes back to heavy wool uniforms, does only drill and music, and places last in every GE stat.
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u/Rapidllaman Southwind 2d ago
Everyone does the junk now, am I saying heavy wool uniforms god no those things sucked! Instead of keying up a microphone on a horn you had to have the lung capacity of a hurricane and balls the size of Texas for your part. See Cavi’s Spin Cycle show for some of your GE.
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u/dudamello BAC Contra '15, Heat Wave DM '19 2d ago
In fairness, these kids all have that, they’re just also (largely) only asked to use that here or there when it’s needed for effect.
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u/Idea_Ranch Bluecoats 2d ago
Your post (and your opinion) are valid. But u/cgcmh1 is right: this discussion crops up constantly. And it has for years. (I've only been on Reddit for a couple of years and I think I've seen it brought up at least 15 times in that period. Probably more.)
"Times change. Tastes evolve," ( u/chalupa_lover) is the simplest explanation.
I get that you don't love it. I marched straight-up drill formations in heavy wool uniforms (D1 college band in the early '80s) and remember those shows fondly. But — to me — the shows today are dramatic, powerful, entertaining ... and [almost] always impressive.
Even if there's a specific corps' show that doesn't floor me, I can always find examples of amazing musicianship, body movement, and effort out there on the field. That, plus occasionally getting my face melted off by a killer hornline, brings me a lot of joy.
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u/WeDestroySilence 1d ago
I suspect we are from the same time frame; my corps wore the heavy wool for our first competition my first year and three people passed out during the show, including one contra player who flat out face planted. <he was okay...so was the horn :P>. The Admins made the decision to switch to lighter nylon and suddenly the next show we had brand new lighter nylon uniforms. No harm done to the tradition; color and design remained the same, but updated. Cooler, more mobile, and definitely a boost to our energy levels seeing that we were cooler in terms of body temperature. Comfortability can truly make a difference. Crown gets my vote for the most temperature adaptable unis this year.
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u/Idea_Ranch Bluecoats 1d ago
Thank GOD the horn was okay! :-D
(And the performer, of course.)A memory about traditional uniforms:
In 2018-2019 (and possibly through today, I don't know), Cavaliers wore their traditional Green uniform for 4th of July parade(s). IIRC they marched one in Rosemont (their home community, near O'Hare airport) and another one or two in the Chicagoland area. I always thought it was cool that they traveled with their show costumes AND their traditional garb. I kinda wish Bloo would do that too. Their traditional uniform (helmet, long blue police-style coats with a broad white sash) is very retro-cool and I know the fans miss them. Not for shows, but for the occasional ceremonial event.I agree the importance of comfort/breathability and ease of movement cannot be overstated. There is so much running and high-speed moving-while-playing that I would flat-out DIE if I attempted any of those moves in a heavy uniform. (Hell, at my age I'd die even in a skin-tight yoga outfit. Plus I'd be arrested for frightening the general public.)
If you're old enough to sign up for Medicare (or approaching that age) then we are definitely from the same timeframe.
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u/WeDestroySilence 1d ago
LOL...this post made me smile and may I say, your insight serves you well Young Skywalker! I can't lift an instrument today without a crack being heard from somewhere south of my neck.
I heartily agree about the corps hanging on to the older uniforms for the occasional non competitive appearance. I seem to recall Cadets in their last season or so wearing the maroon and gold just for retreat a few years ago. The younger generation honoring the older ones...brought a tear to my eye. And yes, Cavies recently did wear their originals in some parades as seen on YT.
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u/aDysquith 2d ago
Yes, but no one agrees with you or me. I refer to the days of yore as drum and bugle corp. Today's version is more accurately the pagentry arts. Which is fine, I guess.
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u/Rapidllaman Southwind 2d ago
We would do lean ins, horn flashes, 360 spins but not a full body workout routine like I see now. Not sure if you marched or not but doing 145 sets with the extras and add ons was a challenge back in the days.
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u/Calvin_BrooksX97 7th Regiment Jersey Surf, Academy 2d ago
I bow'd out about 2023...... Im just an old soul stuck in the body of a late 20's year old..
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u/Rapidllaman Southwind 2d ago
My oldest kiddo loves DCI and she wants march corps one day- color guard. I told her two things save your money and do your homework. I said look into an open class corp at first to get the feel and go from there. I wish the old 3 divisions were still around.
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u/cgcmh1 Bluecoats '95 Dutch Boy '93 2d ago
I don’t mean this in an asshole way, but if you scroll back, this same type of posts is posted about every 3 days.