Last Generation of Syncopated Drummers
Long Beach, CA USA | Facebook: Last Generation of Syncopated Drummers
Probably the most legendary of all syncopated drumming sections were the 14 drummers that made up the 1979 Long Beach Junior Concert Band drum section.
Due to conflict between the drummers and Marvin Marker (LBJCB Director), the 14 drummers walked off in retaliation to Marker’s authority and request to keep the drummers on rim beats with no cadences at practice. Marker’s decision may have been due to keep the drummers humble, or a section wide punishment for traditional hijinx within the drum ranks, or perhaps a way to keep the volume down throughout the practice, or maybe a little of each of these.
This disagreement and walk off meant LBJCB would need to rebuild one of the best drumming sections the band has known, it also meant the birth of perhaps the most ground breaking syncopated drumming groups ever established: The Last Generation of Syncopated Drummers.
Here is a description by original tenor drummer Brian McBride:
The groups history begins in the mid 1970’s when in their teens they played for the esteemed Long Beach Junior Concert Band (LBJCB). Under the adept directions of Marvin Marker. This 150 piece national award winning band has been featured in movies, T.V. specials, theatrical performances and thousands of miles of parade routes throughout America. The Syncopated drum section, featured in every performance, has an unmistakeable style which is loud and precise. The drummers play each cadence with every muscle, creating rhythms that vibrate and echo throughout the streets, giving rise to the term “thunder Drums”.
In 1979 many members of the drum section broke away from LBJCB to form the Last Generation of Syncopated Drummers. Having no financial support, the erstwhile group of teens did odd jobs, held garage sales and car washes to raise the capital needed for Color Guard outfits, custom drums and British Guard style uniforms. the newly independent drum coprs. with with a desire to prove themselves without a marching band to back them up, performed before enthusiastic spectators, overwhelming them with their one of a kind sight and sound.
In 1981 LGSD officially concluded performances, but their passion for creating syncopated rhythms reunited them after 19 years of dormancy. Although maturing in age with some younger recruits, their sound is stronger and more precise than ever, earning them standing ovations and and elite status among their peers.
What makes this story so intriguing, is the fact that before L.G.S.D., no other drum section of any kind would have thought to march on their own without a band. While some may see this as a”mutiny” and a complete disregard for “O.B.S.T.” (Our Band Sticks Together, a motto Marvin Marker coined for the L.B.J.C.B.), we should also understand that these young men were taking a very high risk. Would the public and community accept and be moved by their music and decision to play syncopated drums on their own? How could they pull this off? It was the passion and dedication to syncopated drumming these young men had that earned them very high parade scores and audience appeal. On one of their very first performances, Marvin was one of the judges who gave them very high marks on their score sheet.
Here is a great testimony from a trained LBJCB bass drummer, Doug Gaxiola, on their final performance at the Long Beach Christmas Parade 2011:
Twenty eight years ago I first heard about the Last Generation of Syncopated Drummers. LGSD had already disbanded by the time I joined the LBJCB drum section, so I never had a chance to see them perform. All I knew of them came from stories from the other drummers. These stories often took on mythic proportions; tales of badass drummers who swaggered down the parade route, wailing louder than humanly possible. I always wondered if LGSD was as good as the stories made them out to be. Tonight I found out that everything I had been told about LGSD was true…..and then some. I had the distinct privilege of watching LGSD march the Belmont Shores Christmas Parade. They were just as loud, just as precise and just as badass I had heard. Even though most of them are well into their 50’s, they still played with ferocious intensity and an arrogant swagger. In other words; LGSD was simply awesome. Well done, guys. I am impressed.
-D. Gaxiola LBJCB
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