Drum corps
tradition might be Bones, the skeletal figure in a Crossmen uniform that
appears periodically in the backfield stands during Crossmen
performances. Gary Cuzzocrea, a member of the Crossmen visual staff,
sheds some light on Bones:
“Well, Bones is many things, but I'll focus on the guy in the stands for
a second. Bones is the spirit of the Crossmen. He represents the history
and traditions of the corps being passed down from the past to the
present. He passes the torch, so to speak, and he is meant to signify to
the members on the field that they are not alone; that everyone who has
ever marched in the Crossmen is with them in spirit as they perform.
"He appears at shows that hold some sort of special significance to the
corps -- DCI East, DCI Finals, sometimes West Chester, Pa., Sevierville
Tenn. (the corps was disqualified there in 1976, and many believe that
is where the Crossmen really became "The Crossmen"), or perhaps at a
show where the corps might need an extra boost.
"It started, I believe, back in 1978. There was a guy who was going to
march in the corps but got injured. I don't think he ever actually
marched in any show as a member of the corps, but he did end up going on
tour as part of the food crew or something. I guess one day his desire
to be a part of the corps got the best of him, and he suited up and
stood in the back of the field as the corps performed. I'm not sure if
he had the skull mask on or if that developed over time.
"Back then, he was known as "The Phantom" or "The Spook." The name
"Bones" is a nickname for the corps itself -- mostly derivative of the
"bad boy" image the corps had back then, skull and crossbones, etc.
"Over time, as his appearance became more consistent at really big shows
like DCI East and DCI Finals, his look became more consistent -- always
in a 1978-style uniform (black uniform, red and white cross sashes,
white aussie, red and white cape, skull mask). The original guy in the
suit, to the best of my knowledge, stopped doing it after that first
year. Since then, as it started to develop a life of its own, other
people have donned the outfit. It is always someone very close to the
corps, either an alum, or staff member. It is not always the same
person, though there have been three or four "usual suspects" over the
years. Of course, the identity of the man behind the mask is never
revealed to the members of the corps. His identity, though intriguing,
is not really important. It is what he represents that matters.
"I can tell you from experience, there is nothing like standing on that
field in a Crossmen uniform, looking up and seeing Bones spread open his
cape as you play your on-field warm-up. The electricity that pulses
throughout your body is unbelievable. You feel an immediate connection
to everyone around you; that you are a part of something very special --
something much bigger than just you. It is a spectacle in every sense of
the word; one that unifies the Crossmen family.
"Over the last six years, I have spent my summers on the instructional
staff of the Crossmen, and my most fond memories have been when Bones
appears. I love to walk around the field as the corps sets up, and to
see the looks on the members' faces as they see him, to often see the
tears in their eyes and the excitement he generates is something I will
take with me for the rest of my life.”
