A little something for you brass aficionados (especially the tuba guys)...

[The Hollywood NeoCon]

I had the privilege of spending part of my Christmas and New Year's holiday in Rockford, Illinois, home of the Phantom Regiment Drum & Bugle Corps.

Drum corps is an activity my family has participated in since the late 1950's, and I myself was fortunate enough to be a part of from 1980 to 1986 with the Blue Devils from Concord, California. Think of it as a highly competitive marching band on steroids, absent the *****-assed flutes and woodwind instruments.

As with all things in life, the drum corps activity has evolved, and while some of us "old-timers" may feel some of these changes are for the worse, every now and then we get hit in the face with the level of talent these kids unquestioningly possess, and are awed.

For you tuba and lower brass guys, here's a little ear candy (you might seriously consider putting your earphones on for this and cranking the volume and bass up)...

[youtube=425,350]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggvSek6XZZ0[/youtube]

[youtube=425,350]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ppDVzNNLdCM[/youtube]

Keep in mind these are kids ranging from 14 to 21 years old, and pay to do this every summer. Ergo, if you hear of a drum corps show coming to your neck of the woods, you could do a lot worse then spending $15 to go sit in the stands and see what it is the marching band kids do once football season is over.

I'm just sayin...

[Thor]

I was in the Navy Boot Camp Drum & Bugle Corps when I was in San Diego for Boot Camp. We went to one competition while I was there.

[Eupher]

There's no denying that d&b corps are popular with some because they offer a lot of aural "tension and release." There's something magical that happens when my eardrums are crushed by 14 screaming trumpet players and snare drummers that are doing their best to rupture not just the drumhead on their drums, but the eardrums that they - for awhile - still have.

I can't quite put a finger on it, but it's there. Sort of a high-pitched buzzing in my ears. It tends to drown out a lot of other sound, including that of Mrs E's voice.

Meh.

d&b is for kids and kid wannabes. It's nice for them, and they have continued to raise the bar on performances, including - oddly enough - building serious chops on those instruments.

But there's more to music than crushed eardrums. For the little bit of hearing I have left, I like hearing perfect octaves, perfect fifths, and well-balanced chords that leave no room for pussies who won't hear what they're doing.

In short, I'm too old for d&b. Even listening to it. Gotta save what little hearing I have left.

You young pups go out and have a blast - literally. When you're my age you'll rue the day when you allowed those 14 screaming trumpet players and wailing drummers bash the shit out of their equipment. And your ears.

I'll just go home and listen to that high-pitched buzzing in my ears. It's sorta permanent these days.

[IassaFTots]

AW HNC....ya made me misty.      I can't wait till DCI, I just wish it wasn't in July.