Corps of drums

A Corps of Drums is a musical unit of several national armies. Drummers were originally established in European armies to act as signallers. This is the major historical distinction between a military band and a corps of drums, 'drummers' would not play their instruments to entertain or delight, but rather as a utilitarian battlefield role. This role was fulfilled by trumpeters or buglers and timpanists in the cavalry and the artillery, who did not form into comparative formed bodies in the way that drummers did; therefore, an orthodox corps of drums will exist in the infantry arm and not in other arms (save for the light infantry).

History

Most fife and drum traditions trace back to the Swiss mercenaries of the early Renaissance, and it is known that by the early 16th century, each company of infantry soldiers would have a single drummer and a single fife player. These two musicians would march at the head of the company, and when not providing uplifting marching tunes, they would be used by the company commander to convey orders, on and off the field of battle. The drummers would be more aptly described as signallers than musicians, as shouted orders were very hard to hear over the din of battle. Later, a bugle would become the preferred means of communication on the battlefield, and the drummers adapted, training on bugles and carrying them in battle, but retaining the drum and the title of drummer.

Field Music

Field Music are a band from Sunderland, England that formed in 2004, notable for their numerous side-projects and collaborations with other musicians in the Wearside region. The band's core consists of brothers David and Peter Brewis (who at one time played drums for fellow Sunderland band The Futureheads), with Andrew Moore occasionally featured as keyboardist. Their line-up has at times featured members of both Maxïmo Park and The Futureheads. Early Brewis projects prior to Field Music include The New Tellers and Electronic Eye Machine, several songs of which ended up as early Field Music recordings. Their style has been dubbed 'prog-pop' by the British music press, reflecting both the experimental and traditional elements of their compositional style.

History

Field Music released their eponymous debut album in August 2005. A collection of B-sides and earlier songs, Write Your Own History, was released in May 2006. Their second album, Tones Of Town, was released on 22 January 2007.

Field Music (Measure)

Field Music (Measure) is the third full-length studio album by indie rock band Field Music. It was released on February 15, 2010. Officially, the album's name is the same as their debut album; the name "Measure", other than being the name of one of the songs, does not appear anywhere on the album's artwork. However, both fans and the band have taken to calling it Measure to distinguish the two. Measure is a double album and is split into two discs. The first disc primarily contains more traditionally-structured songs, including both of the album's singles ("Them That Do Nothing" and "Let's Write A Book"), whilst the second disc is dominated by more experimental tracks including found-sound pieces ("See You Later" and "Louis").

Track listing

Disc One

Field Music (album)

Field Music is the full-length debut album by indie rock band Field Music. It was released on August 8, 2005. While digital versions of the album have a white background, the CD packaging was printed on brown card. "If Only The Moon Were Up", "Shorter Shorter" and "You Can Decide" were released as singles.

Track listing

U.S. Bonus Tracks - also available on Write Your Own History

Personnel