Daily Dose 4/30

Another in my increasingly ingratiating attempts to combine the goodness of drum corps with the quotable fun of the movie The 40 Year Old Virgin in the hopes of giving my favorite form of musical performance a more appealing veneer for the uninitiated.

Today's Quote:
Yeah, you should definitely tell her, because I saw this movie called "Liar Liar" and the message was, "Don't lie."And that was a smart movie. -Cal


What does this have to do with drum corps?:
When any enthusiast tries to persuade someone to venture into their chosen past time, they try to play a careful game of salesmanship. You want to persuade someone that there is a lot to be excited about, but you don't want to come across as a geek or fanatic. Often when members of cult fan bases attempt to appeal to a general audience they try to play it "cool". They will try to soften their enthusiasm and give you a polished version of the truth. Describing the activities using half truths and artful euphemisms, these well meaning souls hope to persuade their audience, but ultimately mislead them. It doesn't do me or anyone else any good to try and convince you that drum and bugle corps is any thing other than what it is: a hyperactive relative of marching bands with a very specific appeal and a very limited audience. I don't deny these are facts as the situation currently stands. However, I do hope to change those facts by opening eyes to the wonder of marching music. To do this I will be honest about drum corps in all its successes and failings, because only when my audience can trust me will they be willing to try something based on my recommendation. Therefore you will notice that this blog never attempts to sell drum corps as anything than what it is. I don't want you to go to a drum corps show expecting a rock concert. I want you to realize that if you like rock concerts there might be something worth seeing at a drum corps show. I will be an honest ambassador for the activity I enjoy so much, so long as my audience is honest with me in return, and I encourage all other drum corps fans to do the same. This blog is not a sales pitch it is a celebration. I don't want you to buy into drum corps. I want you to join the party.