"San Francisco Renegades Drum & Bugle Corps"

Greetings from the Renegades New Years Bash

Happy New Year to all of our Drum Corps brothers and sisters - may 2007 see all your drum corps dreams come true!

Renegades New Years Bash
Chris Nalls House

Quotes from the party floor:

The sense of cameradery was pervasive.

Alcohol removed champagne is terrible

Why does it hurt when I sit down?

I like Lemon Shots

Rimshot be born.

Awesome

Who sacrificed a small animal in the hallway?

I'm gettin' nuttin for Chris Nalls

Much has been had!

Late Night Renegades Dance

The wierd things you find on the internet late at night...

Yeah.. you can draw your own dancer.

See you drawing a Santa,

- Greg

The coolest photo ever taken of the Renegades in concert ... sending sonic devastation throughout George Hopkins Park, in Dekalb, IL

Time Magazine's Person of the Year

Time Magazine's Person of the Year: You
By LARRY McSHANEAssociated Press Writer
Published December 17, 2006, 4:10 AM CST

NEW YORK -- Congratulations! You are the Time magazine "Person of the Year." The annual honor for 2006 went to each and every one of us, as Time cited the shift from institutions to individuals -- citizens of the new digital democracy, as the magazine put it. The winners this year were anyone using or creating content on the World Wide Web.

The Article

The San Francisco Renegades were born on the internet. The original seven members found each other on the internet, they planned rehearsals and held "meetings" via e-mail, they even did all of their marketing via the internet. (Which resulted in Lee Rudnicki getting kicked off the internet).

The "Powers that Be" at the Renegades have always recognized the internet, message boards, youtube, chatroom revolution. To this end, they have always encouraged the membership to post freely on the internet, recognizing that prohibiting the membership from discussing Renegades on the internet was about as silly as prohibiting them from talking about the corps on the telephone. To paraphrase Time's article, they have recognized that we are "citizens of the new digital democracy".

The content that the Renegades staff and general membership have added to the internet -- content in general and content specifically dealing with drum corps--has been astounding. Many have given interviews re: Renegades and or drum corps on electronic news groups, many have developed websites for various corps, and many contribute to the several drum corps-related message boards on the internet. A special feature, not explored by any other drum corps on the planet, is allowing members and alums post directly to the ReneBlog located on the corp's website's front page.

I am proud to be part of an organization that is a major player in Time's Person(s) of the Year.

See you adding content to the World Wide Web <$1 to Greg Gilman....Apple Computer's Web Master and Renegades Director>

Labels: censorship, drum corps, internet

a new beginning

coming into the 2007 season, one didn't know how many drummers would show up. Looking back on the 2006 season, having more drummers show up at open house than we had in May would be genius. Rest assured, we had an overflowing snare line, a full bass line, a small but growing tenor line and the return of the cymbal line. One of the most important things for me was to see the drum staff and their focus on making us the best we can be. It feels really good to have a staff that supports and drives us to succeed. I think the drumline is on solid footing right now, and I can't wait for the January camp to see how much we have progressed since open house.

California here I come....

So who can I send my resume to so I can get a head start on the job search?

Yes, it's true, I think I'm really going to take the plunge and move to California to march Renegades again - as a west coast resident as opposed to being a commuter. The East coast is bumming me out. Being a finalist for so many jobs and not getting hired is bumming me out. I will probably stick it out here until April or May at the latest if I can manage to make some money temping and bartending and to continue to work with the Skyliners, but I am definitely putting the plan in motion. I even have a place to live lined up.

I don't know if I can make it out before then, but we'll see. In the meantime Rock out and I'll see youse all real soon.

Labels: renegades rule

Our pals, the Yokohama Inspires.

Some Open House Photos

Enjoy a couple of photos from Open House 2007.

See you at January camp,

- Greg

Reason to Join Renegades, # 516.

In the Renegades, we only use the very finest percussion equipment.

Pssst. We bought new chimes last year. :)

Humble Beginnings

The Renegades take the field at Pacific Procession in Spartan Stadium in July, 2000

Chaos (kā'ŏs').

The behavior of systems that follow deterministic laws but appear random and unpredictable. Chaotic systems very are sensitive to initial conditions; small changes in those conditions can lead to quite different outcomes.

Excited

After this past weekend, I got same feeling of excitement and nervousness as I did when I first stepped onto the field to perform 16 years ago. This time it is a little different. I am a little older, my muscles don't work the way they used too, and I am not as flexible as I used to be. This year is different and exciting, as I am marching with my good friend Aisha. She is so excited about the season. Mostly returning to the field to perform. Mostly, I was excited to see new and old friends from 2006. I think that this year will be phenominal. I find myself feeling nostalgic and exited for the season to come. I guess as you get older, the pageantry activity never leaves you. This year I know that people will here that we are awesome and they can bring it on. Heres to 2007. Wishing everyone a safe and Happy Holiday Season.

Labels: 2007

The Vibe....

My attendance at camp consisted of being at the first two hours to work the sign up table on Saturday and coming the last hour ("ensemble hour") on Sunday.

2005 was my last season marching and I didn't come around much in 2006 (other than doing work on the Board of Directors).... being pregnant will do that to you I s'pose... so.....even though I'm not marching this year, after talking with Chris/Lee/Greg in the off season about how 2007 is going to go....even I'M excited for camp to start.

On Saturday, after talking to much of the staff and watching who (and in what sections) were coming in the door, I felt great about 2007. Not one person who walked in the door seemed trepidatious at all. Every single person was READY for 2007.

I did feel a little bitter/sweet pull on my heart --wanting to march, but I'm a new mommy and this year it's just not in the cards for me. I'll have to be happy with my work on the Board.

The Holy Trinity (a.k.a Chris/Greg/Lee) discussed the show concept with the corps. Mark Metzger already has work to teach the guard and sketches of costumes ready to go. The hornline has had music since the banquet and were ready to play within the first minutes of camp. But the one thing that warmed my heart the most, probably because I spent much blood sweat and tears recruiting for this section last year, was seeing an ample drum line.

That afternoon, as I was leaving the campus, JUST as I sighed and said to myself "I wonder if they'll be ok this year" a girl walked up, horn case in hand, wearing a leaopard print and lace teddy over some tight jeans.

Yeah..... they'll be ok.

And Miss Leopard Print and Lace Teddy..... I salute you. You RULE.

Sunday morning dawned (well, it dawned several times, about every three hours w/ a diaper change and a bottle feeding) but around 9:30am I receive a call from Lee. Where he informs me that at dinner the night before a girl from [deleted section] and another girl from [deleted section] started to [deleted] at dinner. They hadn't even yet made it to the party at Gilman's house that night.

Good sign. Very good sign. It's also nice to know that I've passed the baton completely and someone else is stepping up to the plate to contribute to the Renegades Chaos Factor.

Sunday afternoon, I pack up Andrew and alllllllllllllllllllll his stuff (and the stroller for the first time) and head over to the school. I get there just in time for the brief break before ensemble rehearsal and alot of people get to meet Andrew.

Ensemble rehearsal starts and I cannot believe the guard not only has work....IT'S CLEAN work. It's "Mark Metzger" work, so you're using your elbows and changing your planes alot. There's also alot of "Stinky Flag" moves...hard to explain...sorry.

The guard is not only doing the work, they've made the work their BITCH. Even the look on Mark's face (who is very hard to impress) is priceless.

The horns and drums sound amazing. The excitement factor of the music reminds me of 2003. The feeling of electricity in the air amongst the musicians is palpable. I haven't felt that in a while w/ Renegades. When the horns would go down, there were SMILES on faces.

I am so completely excited for the Renegades of 2007. And we fans are in for a treat as well. 2007 is TRUELY their year.

Sorry I don't have more about the actual meat of the show. I wasn't there that much. Just wanted to let you all know about the general "feel" of the corps this year.

And all of you on the fence muther effers. ... I wouldn't wait too long. That's for sure.

December Camp.

It was an awesome weekend for the Renegades first rehearsal camp of the 2007 season. We had people in and out of camp all weekend, but we are starting the year with 40 in the brass line, a near-full drum line (?!?!!!), and a solid nucleus of 15 or so in the guard.

There is a little recruiting to do in every section, but thankfully, there were no nuclear bombs going off in any section in particular, like there was last year with the drum line, when we went through the winter with a revolving door drum line, only to see one form through a miracle in July.

The Design Team busted its ass over the last two months to get the show nearly done for Open House. We have been pouring over mp3s to make sure the show works before it gets in the member's hands -- so far, so good. We played through the first few minutes of the show, entitled My Immortal, complete with guard work. It's a print ... now we start on the count sheet for drill.

The best part of the camp weekend -- besides the most unbelievable first day of open house chaos that I have ever heard of in drum corps ... and I laughed about for a good 24 hours ... was the energy of the corps. It was a fun and productive weekend, and all of the drama from 2006 got left at the door when everyone walked in.

Last year was not a drum corps season. Emotionally and phyically, it was more like going to war. Everything that could have possibly went wrong, did. Every mistake that we possibly could have made, we did. But, when the dust settled, we still miraculously managed to stay a DCA East Finalist corps ... where by all rights, 99 out of 100 corps would have given up and folded long before that. I am very proud of what we accomplished in the face of extreme adversity in 2006, but it certainly was not easy to get through.

After a long off-season break, it feels like a huge weight has been lifted off of everyone's shoulders! There is much to do, including a little recruiting, but the 2007 season is off to a flying start ... and I still have a smile on my face from the great weekend of drum corps ... and a great party on Saturday night at Gilman's.

Lee
http://drumlaw80.blogspot.com

Death to the New York Skyliners!!

No. Not really. I actually like the Skyliners a great deal.

But, I thought a shocking headline would be appropriate on this, my first entry in the New World Order, aka the most Evil drum corps website on the planet, aka our answer to the drum corps Internet censorship practiced by many drum corps.

After an off-season of drama, draconian drum corps legislation, too many casualties in Iraq, a slightly improved San Francisco 49ers, and the ridiculous RAMD newsgroup finally surpassing Adolf Hitler's book Mein Kamph in Anger Factor ... it is time for the 2007 season to begin ... and I cannot wait!!

This year's two goals are simple. First, we plan to field the best corps we ever had. Note the period on the end of that [BLEEP] sentence. Hey! Who hit the bleep button. This is supposd to be uncensored. At least until Rich Skare goes berserk and publicly accuses the Bushwackers of the Kennedy assassination or whatever.

In any event, this year, we're going to work hard and do whatever it takes. As a side note to all my Reneguard pals on here, and for the public record, my first statement at a Renegades design Team meeting this year was the following: "I never want to hear a judge say that the colorguard is not integrated into the drill again." So there.

Please direct any and all complaints about anything related to this statement to Dan Day, just because I have not had the opportunity to antagonize him in awhile.

As you may have read on here, we are taking a slightly different Evil approach to the corps marketing image this year in terms of what you will see on the field, and we have greatly sped up the show design timeline, neither of which involve the detonation of more than three nuclear weapons.

Our first full-run-through of the first few minutes of the show is scheduled for the first day of Open House. Unlike last year, when it was scheduled for July 17th, aka the first day the 19th and final version of the 2006 drum line all accidentally showed up at the same time, including Jerry, and allegedly Mike French. In any event, get ready. The 2007 show is Genius.

The second goal of this season is to have as much fun as possible. Which we usually succeed in doing, even when we are taking the field in the middle of Hurricane Ernesto, or the bi-annual celebration when antagonized people gather from all over the East Coast to try to vote us out of existence, aka the Rules Congress. This Saturday Night, we are demonstrating our commitment to Goal #2 by a chaotic full corps party at Gilman's house ... picking up right where we left at the Banquet, a few weeks, months or years ago.

If you are not doing anything this year, and want an extreme drum corps experience that is actually fun ... join the New York Skyliners.

If you are on the West Coast, Renegades 2007 starts this weekend!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

More info at .... errrrrrrr ... this website.

It's our year.

Lee
http://drumlaw80.blogspot.com

Open House is tomorrow!

While you are enjoying our hot new website, just want to tell everyone that we are very excited for our Open House tomorrow. All sections will be getting part of their show, and I am sure we will have a great time. Please plan to stop by and check it out - we'd love to have you.

2007 is shaping up to be the best show ever for the Renegades. Brass and Percussion will be learning the opener, Dusk. This original composition by Key Poulan echoes the 2004 opener, 'Death Theme' by Bizet. Guard Director Mark Metzger has let me know that he has some work to teach the guard on Sunday. We have already talked through the beginning of the show with the Visual design staff, so I think that if we come out of the weekend with a solid grasp of the intro, we'll be in great shape.

But we will be doing more than that. The Brass and Percussion will also work on Toccata, which we are retaining from our 2006 show. The corps will reprise the first minute of that production, which all agree was a highlight of last year's production.

And finally, the Brass and Pit will get Jazz Police, the tune that was a major hit for our minicorps last year. My arrangement for the minicorps has been given a makeover in true Renegades fashion, adding in bits from Bill Chase's 'Open Up Wide' and even a quote from the 'Jetson's Theme'.

The goal of the 2007 Renegades is simple - be the best. The best Renegades and the best corps! We plan to work harder and smarter to achieve this goal, while still having the best time ever.

Let's Do It!!!

New Web Site is Here!

Once again, Renegades go where no corps has gone before! Presenting the new blog-powered Renegades web site!

With our new design, Renegades members can now post directly to our home page! Soon, expect to see camp reviews, photo pages, funny stories, homemade videos and much more!

A big thanks to the many folks that helped design and test our new home. And a big shout-out to the folks at Blogger.com, who are helping bring the power of internet publishing to the masses!

See you on the website,

- Greg Gilman
Blogmaster

Two Days Left!

Only two days left until the 2007 Open House weekend begins! Be there!

See you at Del Mar,

- Greg

Three Days Until 2007 Open House!

Only three days left until the big Renegades 2007 Open House! Be there!

See you at Del Mar,

- Greg

Four Days Until 2007 Open House

Only FOUR days left until the 2007 season begins! Don't miss the 2007 Open House this Saturday beginning at 1pm in San Jose.

See you at Open House,

- Greg