Anyone remember when the last time a Cavie Quadline rocked a single shot drum? I can't. I'm sure it was in the late 80's...

The Bushwackers are and have been using an 8" spock the last few years.

Early 90's (maybe '89,'90,91?) Blue Devils...

Just an 8 by itself?

Wait, doesn't the 2007 version of latin lover use 6 drums? that's strange.

One cool side effect, the cavies book and exercises that come out next year will be written for 5-drum toms instead - nice for tenor players in bands that only have 5s . =D

..Would'nt playing 5 drums be easier then 6? I mean, It's one drum, not two next to each other, easier playing positions?

And the double spock seems really pointless. (In my eyes at least) Its a high note and a higher note.

Side note- Why does everyone care about spocks so much? Just one of these days I would like to see a World Class Corp march straight quads, 10-12-13-14, nothing more, and see what everyone says.

And the double spock seems really pointless. (In my eyes at least) Its a high note and a higher note.

Side note- Why does everyone care about spocks so much? Just one of these days I would like to see a World Class Corp march straight quads, 10-12-13-14, nothing more, and see what everyone says.

Having two spocks means that each tenor player can hit two spocks at the same time, making it possible for spock hits to be heard better (provided they are played as double-stops.)

However, I think the main reason for having two spocks is just because it creates more ways for the tenor line to show off; whether or not you can hear the spock drums, a solo or feature played on 6 drums looks more impressive than a solo on 5 or 4 drums.

Exactly. Double spocks are more of a way to show off. In the stands, it can be very hard to hear them clearly, but it gives the quad players two more drums with which to show off. However, I was watching the Bluecoats 2007 show today and noticed that you could hear the spocks fairly well. I'm not sure whether this is because of the tuning or whatever else

I would like to see that too.. it has happened. the last time i think was like Phantom in 95 when they had the purple Premiers, from what I saw they had no spock at all.

That being said, I guess I don't follow the logic of seeing TRUE quads (4 drums) again. WHY? I guess, if that's what you want to do, fine, but it's tons more limiting than one or two spocks. We might as well see trios of 16,18,20" rear their ugly heads once more. I'm thinking more in the voicing region here because the bass lines are taking those tones and there's only so much space between the snare and bass voicing. I think of the spock as an added bonus, that now just doesn't feel right without. One spock or two, I think, is more of a feel thing that anything.

I would say bring back quads because I've met way to many people that seem to have the mind set of "The more spocks you have the better player you are; The more spocks you can play the better player you are." If a drum corp would go back to the original quads, and still throw down a lick nasty and clean, that would just show how spocks are not to big of a deal. Sure, spocks ARE fun, I wont lie. BUT the drums are called quads, not spocks. The first 4 drums are supposed to be the important drums, not the 5 and 6 drums.


Edit - Ironman basically hit it exactly on the head. More drums does not make you a better line, and spocks are not the lead role, the first 4 drums are.

I would say bring back quads because I've met way to many people that seem to have the mind set of "The more spocks you have the better player you are; The more spocks you can play the better player you are." If a drum corp would go back to the original quads, and still throw down a lick nasty and clean, that would just show how spocks are not to big of a deal. Sure, spocks ARE fun, I wont lie. BUT the drums are called quads, not spocks. The first 4 drums are supposed to be the important drums, not the 5 and 6 drums.


Edit - Ironman basically hit it exactly on the head. More drums does not make you a better line, and spocks are not the lead role, the first 4 drums are.

You can't change the perception that people have about the amount of drums someone attempts to play. It's comparable to the guy with the HUGE drumset in your hometown that can't play, but people think that he's the greatest because he's got a kit that would make Neil Peart blush. It's sad, but it happens and we all know it.

My point is, having that "accent" sound from the spock has become synonymous with the modern tenor voice. Overwriting for ANY one or two single drums in the set makes for a monotone drum book, so how can any one drum be more important than another?

Also, why do we have to prove to anyone that spocks aren't that big of a deal? One or two, it's a matter of preference and even then, so what if people want to have 2 just because it looks cool? WHY NOT? I wonder if people said the same thing about putting a fourth drum on a set of trios...my guess is yes.

Basically, it comes down to the fact that those groups or people that have 20 gazillion drums and can't play them actually can't even drum on ONE drum the correct way. The amount of drums has really nothing to do with it.

Closer to topic...maybe The Green Machine should just march a single tenor line on slings and throw down some REALLY sick nasty licks this year! Just kidding.

The fact is Cavies are using a single 8" spock this season. its not the end of the world. The quad line will still play some amazing licks.

It looks as though the 8's are mounted to drum one and two. Since the rest of them are fairly flat, it could be that halfway through rehearsal the mounting hardware loosened up or shifted tilting the 8 back like that.