From: dowzycki@andromeda.rutgers.edu (Ken Dowzycki)
Newsgroups: alt.drumcorps
Subject: Re: VK bashing & DC North
Date: 14 Aug 92 14:34:29 GMT
Organization: Rutgers Univ., New Brunswick, N.J.

jerger@d0msu7.fnal.gov writes:

> 
>>   As for the future of the activity, let's be more concerned with the
>>pure shit that the Velvet Knights put out EVERY year like the bull 
>>pissing on the matador, horn players running around in boxer shorts,
>>fat ladies, girls popping out in bikinis, Bart Simpson buses, Pee Wee
>>Herman in a boiling kettle, blowing bubbles, inflatable rafts/animals,
>>swinging golf clubs, a statue with male genitalia on it and last but
>>not least those two prick drum majors on lounge chairs.   Anyone of
>>these "attributes" takes away alot more from the activity than what the
>>Blue Devils are doing in this years closer.

>    Ouch!! Geez, maybe you need to take your own advice, Mr. PottyMouth. 
>Lighten up - it's only one corps and I feel you should relax a little bit. 
>Drum Corps hasn't deteriorated yet just because VK does stupid gags every 
>year. If you don't like 'em, fine - neither do I, but defining something 
>as stupid is even more subjective than defining something as obscene, so 
>please pocket the double standard.
>    For the record, I pretty much hated VK for years - mainly because
>I never thought the marching or playing was any good so to me the gags 
>came off as tacky grabs for GE points. And since I was going to school in
>So. Cal., my only realistic drum corps choice was VK or nothing. So I
>chose nothing. Then I saw the '87 show, grudgingly admitted that I 
>liked it and that they actually looked and sounded pretty good after 
>bringing in some new staff, and so the VK-hater marched the snare line 
>in '88 - the year a lot of your gripes seem to have happened. And 
>frankly, I STILL think that the bull/matador/pee thing was going for 
>the obvious, easy gag where I thought we could have more effectively 
>played it serious for a change, and I don't know WHY they threw those 
>red wigs in for Finals other than in a random search for GE points. 
>But after seeing the crowds eat all that kind of stuff up all summer,  
>you start to realize that a lot of people get a kick out of the goofy 
>stuff, so somebody needs to cater to it, and if you're a grouch 
>like me, all you can do is hope it's at least done well so you can 
>like it too. And rest his soul, Bobby Hoffman's not going to roll 
>over in his grave if you don't.
>    Oh, and by the way, the two "prick"s from '88 happen to be friends
>of mine and two of the nicest guys you'll ever meet. Though if you go
>around calling people you've never met "pricks" for the roles they play,
>maybe you never meet many nice people.

   
   The biggest problem I have with the Velvet Knights is that
they are nothing, nothing but regurgitated Bridgemen.  Do they
think that they are actually presenting something new?  I had the
displeasure of growing up on a steady diet of Bridgemen bullshit 
which includes chickens, dancing bears, lions, fat lady, tall man, 
clowns, so forth and so on.  Velvet Knights are doing the same
thing only with a modern drill, but guess what, IT ISN'T WORKING.
VK seems to field a full corps every year yet they will always be
relegated to the cellar (of finals).  If they are smart they will
take a page from Star's book.  No more Mickey Mouse, Space Show, 
Circus Acts, they wised up and look where they are today.

   Not to speak ill of the departed but in my opinion Mr. Hoffman
just infested another corps with his jibberish.  Do you really
think that Hoffman's shows from his days with Bayonne hold a candle
to anything Zingali did with 27th.  In comparison, their drills 
were anemic and the guard was an eye sore at best, that is, when they
picked up equipment.  Ditto VK.  Only now the Velvet Knights are at
it longer than Bayonne and what do they have to show for it, a tie
for 7th as their best placement?  (Which reminds me, the guard
scuba diving on retreat was another GEM!)  Maybe VK is not CAPABLE
of performing a REAL DRUM CORPS SHOW.  Tell me, what is their best
section?  Are they known for anything legitimate?  Drill?  Hornline?
Drumline?  Guard?......  Silence, right!

   Who is carrying on the questionable tradition of Hoffman antics.
Is this some kind of tribute to him?  Why not seize the opportunity
to compete with the Big Boys, instead of running around in Red
Converse.  Give me the Freelancers anytime over these chumps.
VK can continue to "present" their shows which will allow Mr. 
Pottymouth to hit the john when they are on, or if it is too
crowded, just use VK's busses.  While we are at it, I'm surprised
that you can keep a straight face admitting that you took part in
that debacle.   With VK out of the picture maybe we can see some
talented corps in finals like Glassmen, Spirit, or for that matter
anyone.  Well, there always is a fly in the ointment!
Newsgroups: alt.drumcorps