West Coast Express (Junior)

The West Coast Express Drum & Bugle Corps was formed as an extension of the West Coast Express Sr. Winter Guard. Rehearsals were held at Magnolia High School in Anaheim CA. Many of the members and staff were from the Anaheim Kingsmen (who folded for the first time that year).

The corps fielded 20 horns, 16 percussion and 21 guard members. The uniform was white "conductor's" caps, t-shirts (red brass, blue percussion, white guard), blue jean overalls and red "Vans" tennis shoes. The corps was known for it's "irreverent" attitude and unusual on field demeanor (later made famous by the Velvet Knights and inspired no doubt by visual instructor Charlie Groh who worked with both groups and currently directs Impulse!).

The corps started it's show by laying down on the field in a "railroad crossing" sign formation along with train horn and steam sounds as the corps formed a "train" coming diagonally at the audience. The corps also assumed a reclining position on the field during the awards ceremony (much to the other corps chagrin). The corps toured on the west coast only lacking the funds to make the trip to Birmingham AL, but they scored a 63 at their final show of the season in Concord CA. Not bad for 57 members in 1979!

[submitted by Scott Cuthbert March 2008]

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