DCI Drumlines of the Decade Pt.2 (2006-2009)

Welcome back for Part 2 of Rüdimentality's DCI Drumlines of the Decade feature (Part 1 can be found here)!  We apologize for not sneaking this in before the end of 2009, but writing and teaching beats had to take precedent for the weekend!

Enough with the pleasantries... let's get into it!

 <<<2006>>>

Blue Devils

 This video highlights my favorite moment(s) from the Dev's 2006 program AND on top of that, YOU can learn this supremely rüde snare solo from the opener.  Thanks Mr. Brohard!

Cadets

 "Through the Looking Glass" aka. "The Zone: Part 2" is arguably the most polarizing show of the last decade amongst drum corps fans.  Personally, I really enjoyed this show and thought it took the "staging" element of Drum Corps to a new level (the ballad was particularly beautiful).

The drum break above was very well executed and much more dynamic than the traditional "park and pound" drum breaks from the last few Cadets shows (although there's a solid homage in the last :20 or so of the break ;-)

Phantom Regiment

In early June of 2006 there was a rehearsal video of a PR snare sectional posted on YouTube that unfortunately I can no longer find.  In said clip, the snares were working on the snare/battery solo from the last half of the show (0:42 seconds into the video directly above).  It was almost as clean in June as it was on Finals night.  If you can get your hands on the 2006 DCI Championships DVD: do so RIGHT NOW!  It is currently available for $39.00 at the DCI online store)  and watch Phantom's performance from the Percussion Camera angle along with the Percussion Judge commentary track.  Jeff Prosperie only called 1 tick the entire time he was on the field, it is absolutely incredible to listen too.

One of, if not the cleanest drumline I have ever heard in my life.

Santa Clara Vanguard

I enjoyed this book all season long, but SCV's performance at PASIC in November of 2006 stands out in my mind as one of the greatest performances of that year.  Despite the fact that it was a full two months after finals they were ON from the first note knowing it was their last chance to perform that show.  Everytime I watch these videos I get goosebumps.

<<<2007>>>

Bluecoats

Just listen...

 Now watch...

Blue Devils

The drum break that changed everything you know about DCI.

Cadets

The Cadets ask the question: "how many notes can we play before a rest?"

The answer:  

Carolina Crown

Beddis is back on this list again and for good reason (notes and notes and notes and notez).  Not to mention these dudes throw down HARD!  HIP-YAH!

Phantom Regiment

While I think the writing in this show is more creative than Phantom's near-flawless 2006 production, the 2007 line never quite reached the same level of polish as the previous year.  Still great listening material...

<<<2008>>>

Bluecoats

1st video: there is a roll at 0:58 that will blow your mind-sicles!

2nd video: <starts video> "Basses..." <drools>

Blue Devils

The drum break that exploded the world with AWESOME! ;-)  (Here's the original)

Cadets

Equally as rüde as the 2008 Cadets drumline was this mini-doc about the Bass Line and a history of "Holy Bass" (2nd video).  An absolute "must view" for any bass player past, present or future.

Carolina Crown

You know what time it is... time to blow out out the mic with CAROLINA RAGE!

Cavaliers

"HAI!"

Phantom Regiment

"I AM SPARTUCUS"  In my opinion the essence of the Fred Sanford award winning PR drumline boils down to a simple equation:

(2007 PR Beats + 2006 PR Clean)*(kicking dudes in the face during pre show) = PR 2008

Spirit

This is my one aberration from the guidelines I stated in the first half of this feature.  Spirit fell out of the finals spot they held the two previous years but it sure as hell wasn't because of this drumline.  Smokin'!

<<<2009>>>

Bluecoats

The prettiest videos in this collection also come with one of the tastiest snare tunings.  Enjoy.

Blue Devils

My two favorite moments from BD's 2009 offering.  I had a really hard time getting into "1930" on the whole but these licks are RIDIC.

Blue Stars

Blue Stars have been climbing the ranks for the last few years and really brought it strong in 2009.  Their technique isn't my cup of tea but they make it work in spades!

Boston Crusaders

BAC is consistently solid year after year, but they really took things up a notch in '09 with some tasty grooves and RAW POWER!

Carolina Crown

 Good Lord... "C.F.F.C."

Cavaliers

Right hands don't just fall off trees kids... they are chiseled out of a piece of fine marble.  Observe a piece of art at work.

Phantom Regiment

C.Q.Y.A.Y. - Consistent Quality Year After Year

That concludes our look back at our favorite drumlines of the "Ots."  Check back in the future for more features (I feel a "Favorite WGI Percussion Shows of All Time" feature is in the near future ;-)

Just a reminder, if you like what you've seen so far follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/Rudimentality or if you have questions, content recommendations, etc... email us at rudimentality@gmail.com

THANKS!

eP