Name, age: My name is Matthew Detch and I am 20 years old. What corps are you in and what is your role this summer? I march contra with the Bluecoats from Canton Ohio. Give us your full drum corps/marching music background. I marched four years in high school, two years in college, and this past year summer with the Bluecoats.

Junya Otani (left), a Bluecoats visual tech, and Matthew Detch in Chicago on a free day.
How did you decide to be a member of your corps? I initially tried out at a few different corps. A staff member at the Bluecoats got my name, and e-mailed me. I always really liked the Bluecoats I always thought their shows were fun. I talked to my dad, he bought me a plane ticket and I was in Canton that Friday night. What first attracted you to the drum corps activity? I remember my high school band director hyping the finals being broadcast on PBS in '01. I went to a friend's house to watch it on his big screen TV, and from then on I was hooked. When I got to college I met several people who had marched several different corps, and based on all their stories and experiences it seemed like something I really wanted to do. What advice would you give to young people who want to march? Be sure to understand what you're getting into. It's a physically and mentally demanding activity. There are times that it's not fun. But (and it's a big "but") If you do decide it's something you want to do, it will be a very rewarding experience, and it makes "normal" life seem easy when you get back. Do you have any favorite road anecdotes? So much happens on the road and there's so much time spent on the bus, little things are created, I think partially because of boredom. At Bluecoats our vet bus had its second annual prom night. Everyone on the bus made tuxedos or dresses out of things like duct tape and sheets. Then all the guys asked girls to be their dates. I had flowers for mine. We had music, etc. It turned out to be a lot of fun -- with some weird looks at the truck stop we stopped at. The last good book I read: "Fight Club" by Chuck Palahniuk The last great film I saw: I got nothin'. Where I go to school and what I'm studying, if applicable: I go to Southwest Missouri State University (soon to be renamed Missouri State University). My Major is criminology, and my minor is political science. Jobs I have/have had: Last semester I worked in the produce section at Price Cutter Supermarkets, now I'm just a full-time student. Three albums I'd want on a deserted island: "Ben Folds Live,"
"Rage Against the Machine" (self-titled), O.A.R., "Any Time Now" My favorite TV show: "The Daily Show with John Stewart" Favorite performers: Ben Folds, Dane Cook and Mo Rocca How do you "blow off steam?" People that know me know I don't have much of a temper, but I guess when I get upset, I like to talk about it to a friend. What has been your formative drum corps moment? Before our finals performance, Dave, our brass caption head, told us, "Do not look up at the audience." I guess because he thought the 20-some-odd-thousand people there would be intimidating. So I didn't look up. At the end of the finals performance I remember pulling my horn off of my shoulder and I looked up to see crowd like I'd never seen before. It was so overwhelming that the rest of the night just seemed surreal. Best drum corps show ever: I have so many favorites. Obviously, I really like the Bluecoats '03,'04 and '95 are my favorite years. But without the bias I like Madison's "Pirate" show, Regiment '03, Cavies '00 and '02 and Glassmen '01. I can't pick a favorite. What are you most looking forward to about the summer? I look forward to being with my friends again. I think it's going to be a great year for the corps on a competitive level, so I'm also looking forward to performing. Best thing about being in a drum corps: I would say the lifestyle. No rent, no bills, no midterms, and all the shepherd's pie you can eat. Worst thing about being in a drum corps: Sometimes you get homesick, and it seems like the end of summer is so far away. At the same time it's hard to leave when you're done, and you miss it when you're away. It's a real catch-22. During tour, the best part of the day is: Performing, and any time I get to eat. During tour, the worst part of the day is: Basics in the morning, especially when it's humid. Favorite drum corps personality and why: Jessica Allen ;) Do I need to explain? Sorry Landrum. What I want to be when I "grow up": I want to go to law school, after that I don't know. Describe what you think a typical DCI show will look in 2015. It's hard to say. I think what makes the activity great are the innovations that come along with it. As a fan, I'm always impressed with the new ideas that come out of the activity every year, because they're things that I couldn't even imagine creating. So I really have no idea what's in store for DCI in ten years. Feel free to add anything else you'd like. I'm a member of Phi Mu Alpha-Sinfonia and Delta Chi.