Name, age hometown: Thomas Brinks, 21, Jenison, Mich.
What corps are you in and what is your role this summer? Glassmen, third-year contra player and section leader
Give us your full drum corps/marching music background. Thirrd year at Glassmen, four years in high school marching band at Jenison High School
How did you decide to be a member of your corps? I had a friend that marched in 2002, that loved the experience, so I decided to go. I also had a neighbor that marched with the Glassmen in the late '90s.
What first attracted you to the drum corps activity? The speed, the excitement, having it be a bigger, faster, and better version of what I loved to do in high school.
What advice would you give to young people who want to march? Don't give up, if you're told that you can't march at your favorite corps, go somewhere else, get experience, and then try out again the next year. Don't just do nothing.
Do you have any favorite road anecdotes? Compression shorts and/or Gold Bond
The last good book I read: Wow, it's been a while since I've read a book, but if you can ever read J.R.R. Tolkiens "Lord of the Rings," I'd highly recommend it
The last great film I saw: "A Beautiful Mind"
Where I go to school and what I'm studying, if applicable: Michigan State University -- astrophysics and physics
Jobs I have/have had: Dishwasher, concessionist at a movie theatre, cashier, teaching assistant for undergraduate astronomy
Three CDs I'd want on a deserted island: Muse, "Aboslution"; DCI, 2000 Finals; Chevelle, "This Type of Thinking (Could Do Us In)"
My favorite TV show: "Adult Swim" ("Family Guy," "Futurama," etc)
How do you "blow off steam?" Listen to music
What has been your formative drum corps moment? Making finals in 2004, the whole year's hard work paying off
Best drum corps show ever: SCV 1989
What are you most looking forward to about the summer? Being with all the friends that I've made, that I only get to see once a month during the off-season
Best thing about being in a drum corps: Performing
Worst thing about being in a drum corps: Not being able to do the internships that I've been told I have to do for school.
During tour, the best part of the day is: The performance at night, best high in the world
During tour, the worst part of the day is: Waking up
Favorite drum corps personality and why: Brandt Crocker -- he's the "voice" of DCI
What I want to be when I "grow up": A scientist that discovers something that we didn't know about before.
Thomas Brinks