Some Things Don't Change
This weekend I was doing a brief bit of channel surfing when I noticed something peculiar and compelling on LA's second-tier PBS station:
2003 DCI Championships
Any real marching band geek can tell you that DCI is Drum Corps International. Division I of the DCI is the NFL of marching bands. I quickly thumbed the remote to record the program.
I watched it the other night while I was on the treadmill. (Another post about that sometime.) Holy Crap, the Division I corps are amazing. The complexity and crispness of the drills and music was just astounding. I can't describe it in a way that does it justice. I just soaked up five or six ten minute shows, including a nostalgia-inducing goosebump-giving version of Malaguena. Damn, but they were good.
And so I realized that I will always be a Band Geek. I don't suppose that really surprises me too much.
Comments
Im with ya brother! Band geek to the end! I did not see this year's finals. You said you taped it. May I impose on you to borrow said recording?
Posted by: Ray | December 4, 2003 7:18 PM
Too funny -- I was just going to ask you to borrow the tape for Ray, when I see he already beat me to the punch. Even though I have never played a note of music, I love watching the Drum Corp shows! We could watch it during your holiday party! (ha-ha) Treadmill... good for you!
Posted by: kelli | December 4, 2003 8:41 PM
Sadly, I Tivo'ed it. And then deleted it, knowing that nobody else in the house would be interested in watching it. Sorry! (He types sheepishly.)
I think there may be clips online at the DCI website, but I bet they're pretty big files.
However... I noted that DCI is scheduling some SoCal shows next season. We must go.
Posted by: Brad | December 4, 2003 9:55 PM
Check out the movie "Drumline". I think you'll dig it.
Posted by: s | December 4, 2003 10:49 PM
Your advice is tantalizing, "s." I will seek it out.
Posted by: Brad | December 5, 2003 9:09 AM
Usenet is a beautiful thing...
Posted by: Kris | December 5, 2003 1:20 PM
Damn. I'm such a Band Geek I was looking for the show on their website a week or two before, and they didn't list the 'traditional' Thanksgiving Day weekend broadcast so I decided that times must have changed. Damn. I missed it! I was even thinking of going to the finals if I was still in Chicago.
Posted by: Meg | December 7, 2003 10:39 AM
Next year's finals are in Denver - will they march faster in all that thin air?
Posted by: Brad | December 7, 2003 9:03 PM
Once a Band Geek, always a Band Geek.
Mauri thinks it's hilarious when I exclaim in amazement "Look, the band!" when the marching band is shown on TV during a college football game. (It's such a novelty these days that I have to point it out when it happens.)
Posted by: Joel | December 16, 2003 11:57 AM