PCMB - 1999 - ThoughtCrime - Music for an Orwellian Era (close-up)

[@tamudave]

This is far and away the best execution of a theme. Impeccable storytelling.

[@jesuspectre9883]

This is one of the greatest marching band shows of all time. The force of the music, the passion, the clarity of the theme, all create a unique, universal, cohesive, authentic, emotional production. Orwell's novel ends on a grim note, by the way. And this production unapologetically grasps that hopelessness at the end. Literary, well-researched, visually vibrant, musically deep. This production is one of the profound achievements of the art form.

[@dallashobbs2000]

I know I complained about the show ending on a grim note lol but I must ask was it necessary to tell a good enough story? Or was it instead more appropriate to leave the show in a way that was authentic to the original work?

[@dallashobbs2000]

Also here is the repertoire in case you wanted to see it: Part I - Circuits by Cindy McTee Part II - Lex (from Metropolis Symphony) by Michael Daugherty Part III - Red Cape Tango (from Metropolis Symphony) by Michael Daugherty Part IV - Lex (from Metropolis Symphony) by Michael Daugherty

[@shawnm9123]

The stress and tension of the final 2-3 minutes of this show could be cut with a knife that evening - talk about GE. Still the most amazing BOA show I've ever seen or competed against.

[@dcloud3791]

First time watching this show in 2020......GEEZ! This is a masterpiece of a show, SO ahead of its time. Incredible.

[@insobox]

I remember watching this back in high school a few years after this because someone had a copy of the 1999 BOA Grand Nats on VHS in band. We did a similar show with a different arrangement (fun to hear the similarities and differences) that we titled after the source material "Metropolis". Such a great show to watch 25 years later. Think all of these "kids" are now in there early 40's now, what an excellent show it must have been to be a part of.

[@katelyn5949]

I'm in Plymouth canton marching band right now, this inspires us so much. Proud to be a part of Plymouth

[@paranoid1367]

+Connor Blaufuss I'm standing to the left of the trumpet that stumbles 3 seconds in to the show...........

[@tyman9031]

+Andrew Collins that's actually amazing. A way to always tell where you are haha

[@curtisoltmann7786]

I saw it live, right behind them. It was the most spectacular show I have ever seen. I was a member of the Pride of Broken Arrow. Love this show, watch it frequently.

[@littleloomer4759]

Same 😌😌

[@cindyb.9998]

Still fantastic....19 years later.

[@curtisoltmann152]

I agree! I had the pleasure of witnessing it from behind. We performed 2 bands before they did, so we had just seated as they came on. The ending, even though I could see exactly what they were doing as I was directly behind them, was unbelievably phenomenal!

[@keithjorgensen8991]

I graduated from Marian a couple of years before this show and as soon as I saw it, I knew PCEP won it. AWESOME show!

[@smh-smh-smh]

For folks wondering about the rep: Part I - Circuits by Cindy McTee Part II - Lex (from Metropolis Symphony) by Michael Daugherty Part III - Red Cape Tango (from Metropolis Symphony) by Michael Daugherty Part IV - Lex (from Metropolis Symphony) by Michael Daugherty

[@Glowblue1]

@9:53 that's me! Pit always got the best close-ups, since we didn't move. And didn't wear hats. And played the best, since we didn't have to move or wear hats.

[@keithjorgensen8991]

+forteblast Is it true that is wasn't your cleanest performance of the show?

[@Glowblue1]

+Keith Jorgensen Probably not. I don't remember too well after 16 years, but our semifinals performance was probably better since we swept the caption awards. We didn't win the visual caption in finals, I don't think. Who knows... our best, cleanest performance may have been on a random day in practice. But we played an awesome show when it counted, and that's what I'll always remember.

[@ShootAndSpin]

PCMB is great. In the early 90's they're one of the main reasons I became interested in drum corps and marching band. They always used to beat our butts at State Finals. The only thing we could beat them in was percussion.....but they pwned everything else. :)

[@sarah624soto]

Watched this performance from behind, having already performed in Finals. Absolutely the best show I've ever seen. Congartulations! BA Pride Alum

[@ependergrass]

Is that where I saw it from? It is etched into my brain.. Exact same sentiments. Guess it left a bit of an impression for me to be here 15 years later. :)

[@donnix6931]

I would have loved to have seen this show live, I was in Marian Catholic and unfortunately we went on last in finals in 1999. Incredible piece of art!!!

[@wilsonkm]

Easily one of the greatest high school band performances ever.

[@CloudFuel]

One of the all-time great HSMB performances! Would do just about anything to get a fully HD version of this.

[@curtisoltmann152]

Unfortunately the recording that year were complete garbage! The semi finals version of the competition can hardly even be heard. This is as good as it gets. I still have the finals on VHS, but this video is the same one I have.

[@jnoss243507]

The moment when the crowd realizes the meat grinder is churning out silver drones...HA! Awesome!

[@CJAtlanta2]

This is the best use of props and story telling in my opinion. Great show!

[@dbalash]

How can anyone dislike this show?! :)

[@justamaninTN]

The show is just on a completely different level than 99.9% of high school shows.

[@thelevophed]

there is no better quality of this video. its the best they have from 1999 and as an attendant from this show i can tell you the prices for the videos were outrageous and only VHS was out at the time. the VHS were around 50$ i want to say for one bands performance. i was only around 11 when i saw this show and it left a lasting impression on me along with the Etiwanda High School's performance in the same competition. both were the best marching bands ive ever seen to this day, nothing compares

[@bdfan4ever]

Etiwanda was AWESOME that year

[@bcbandie4ever]

Just got my mellophone yesterday (first time playing it after 3 years on trumpet). First thing I do. Learn the solo from this show! :D

[@papajohn5656]

2 years before 9/11 and the PATRIOT Act too - PCMB can see into the future.

[@bdfan4ever]

My God...Simply amazing.

[@sportscritic]

i was there for this event! best show i've ever seen from PCMB!

[@nickargento8661]

What happened to 2001 PCEP? Best PCEP show and one of the best BOA shows ever. Wish that show had not been removed from KZbin!!

[@curtisoltmann7786]

1999 was the best ever

[@sauskelover91]

Amazing!!! One of if not my favs of all time. Best use of general effect for sure ^_^

[@matthewconradcom]

i was watching The Thin Red Line the other night, and I heard "the unanswered question" and I thought of this show. haha. '05

[@superspryte]

@Meteor2222 I remember I was crying when we finished the show.

[@curtisoltmann152]

Congratulations, to you and your mates. This performance is unquestionably the GOAT. I watched it in the stands, from behind, having performed 2 shows earlier.

[@superspryte]

Thanks for that. I'm proud to have been part of it.

[@curtisoltmann7786]

I was there too, as a member of the Pride of Broken Arrow. It's the best show I've ever seen. I watch it often. You guys did a hell of a job!

[@scarebear83]

I remember watching this in the stands. It was an awesome performance ^.^

[@arrowmarcher]

This show actually sounds like the book, weird as that may seem.

[@tsunamipanda05]

There is only 1 show I think that could even compare to it, and that was Avon High School's MassIVe, but I only really like that one because it's just so damn witty.

[@paranoid1367]

at 00:59 you can see some guy trip. I was standing Directly to his left, and I shit a brick when he moved. In semi-finals at the beginning of the last song, the kid in front of me did't hook his hose back up correctly, and he ended up dragging it around the whole time.

[@visualpurple123]

zman5305, I think the first piece is called "Circuit" (not sure of the composer) and the ballad/tango in the middle is called "Red Cape Tango" by Daugherty. BEST SHOW EVER!

[@nsfd422]

I do recall, PCMB didn't go undefeated in 99... They were beat by a Flight II band from Muskegon for grand champion of, I believe it was the competition in Milford, 1 week prior to the State Championships... Awesome show by PCMB, and they certainly won when it counted!

[@superspryte]

nsfd422 That's correct. We felt so much shame after Milford because we didn't do our best; morale was rather low for the next week.

[@Glowblue1]

+nsfd422 We got second at the BOA Toledo Regional as well.

[@donnix6931]

I believe the show was not finished when they lost at the Milford show

[@drumguru718]

this show gives me chills every time i hear it!

[@PersonaPlatyPus]

@Quacking444 I think just about everybody who marches feels the same way about their own bands. I admit I haven't seen your show for this year yet, but judging from the past couple of years, I think you guys still got it.

[@k8brit]

Great show! :)

[@Quacking444]

That was bizarre!!!!!!!! Sooo amazing! I mean PCMB this year could never live up to that! No wonder they won! Wow... that's just... Wow. Btw: I am a clarinet in pcmb 2010. So ya.

[@cadet93]

Who was the concept and visual designer of this show brilliant!

[@MikeMcDermott87]

That would be David McGrath (Band Director at the time), Mitch Rogers (Visual/Drill Designer), Alan Speath (Color Guard Director and Visual Designer), Gregg Reinhart (Percussion Director), and a whole host of other amazing staff.

[@luckey312]

whabam. killer ending and LOVED the show..

[@lemondude6174]

Damn, excellent arrangement of Red Cape Tango on the field there.

[@arrowmarcher]

How did they do that color guard thing at the end where they change colors?

[@curtisoltmann7786]

There were already people back there as it started, so they ran out first. The ones who fell in quickly took off wha they had on, and had on the appropriate uniform underneath. I was sitting right behind it in finals as it unfolded. I was in total awe...

[@jerwel86]

LOL @ the synth at the end cheating to sound like trumpets

[@a2rudeboy]

the only thing i hate about this is the cam focusing on the guard, so we can barely tell the whole band is fucking TETHERED together

[@Spock356]

@ascheep sorry if that got voted down, I accidentally clicked and I think the mouse was over the down button...

[@ScottHawkins1]

He was probably told to in order to avoid hitting the marcher in front of him. It would be a bigger visual flash if he went up, then down.

[@ScottHawkins1]

@jontv The design was done by a Mr. Alan Spaeth.

[@GarrettMayfield]

What is the piece that the soloist/ballad based off of?

[@ScottHawkins1]

@grrttmyfld Red Cape Tango by Michael Daugherty

[@eedee957]

You're welcome :)

[@superspryte]

Funny that I'm watching this show after thinking about what's been happening in China recently...

[@jontv7350]

That is some bizarre, conceptual stuff for a marching band show. Who came up with it? I'm guessing someone who was a double-major in modern dance and cultural theory.

[@sc0ttysk3latal]

ha ha, yeah, that's what I'm saying!

[@trap4dafu2k0fit]

I voted for trump. 👍

[@LoyaltyOfTheMoon]

No one fucking asked.