After Dark: Strange Happenings in the Lives of Civil Servants

The concept of occult night shift civil servants is an intriguing and mysterious one. These individuals, who operate in the shadows, perform their duties during the late hours of the night, when most people are fast asleep. While their exact roles and responsibilities may vary, they seem to possess unique and sometimes supernatural abilities that enable them to navigate the dark and unseen realm with ease. These individuals are often associated with secret organizations or governmental agencies that deal with paranormal phenomena and unearthly threats. Their purpose is to protect society from supernatural forces that may pose a threat to the fabric of reality. They are the unseen guardians of the night, ensuring that normalcy persists in the face of darkness and chaos.

. Completely old, school- '50s to '70s era. Mylar heads, wood hoops, synthetic gut(?) snare and slings instead of harnesses. It may not seem like a big change, but in the Pipe Band World, it's a complete throwback shock! We've modified our grip, changed sticks and our scores to be more of a rudimental style corp with a Pipe Band feel. And they weigh about 1/3 that of a modern Pipe Band Drum. Two of the Bass Drums (not shown) will use hard mallets and a third will use traditional Pipe Band mallets that look like toilet paper rolls to give that soft underlying pulse that the Pipers are used to. Our scores are not earth-shatteringly complex; it's a work in progress to see where this will go. We just got them last night and they're going to be tweaked over the next few weeks. So it will be awhile before we put out any videos. But suffice it to say, they're loud! (Plus two of the Snares and two- possibly three - Tenor Drums weren't there. It will be interesting). BTW, I'm in the tan T-shirt with glasses on the right.

The Kevlar is cranked to the max on a reinforced hoop over a floating shell and there s a separate strainer under the top head to give it that unique timbre, especially for buzz rolls and dead sticking. But in any case, once you get used to the center of gravity shift it s a bit more forward with a fixed shoulder harness it s a pretty easy transition.

They are the unseen guardians of the night, ensuring that normalcy persists in the face of darkness and chaos. One of the main characteristics of occult night shift civil servants is their ability to tap into the mystical energies that permeate the nighttime. They are adept at harnessing the power of the unknown, be it through rituals, spells, or ancient artifacts.

Our New Pipe Band Snares

Modern Pipe Band Snares are extremely high pitched, even more so than DCI. The Kevlar is cranked to the max on a reinforced hoop over a floating shell and there's a separate strainer under the top head to give it that unique timbre, especially for buzz rolls and dead sticking. But last night, we went in a completely different direction.

. Completely old, school- '50s to '70s era. Mylar heads, wood hoops, synthetic gut(?) snare and slings instead of harnesses. It may not seem like a big change, but in the Pipe Band World, it's a complete throwback shock! We've modified our grip, changed sticks and our scores to be more of a rudimental style corp with a Pipe Band feel. And they weigh about 1/3 that of a modern Pipe Band Drum. Two of the Bass Drums (not shown) will use hard mallets and a third will use traditional Pipe Band mallets that look like toilet paper rolls to give that soft underlying pulse that the Pipers are used to. Our scores are not earth-shatteringly complex; it's a work in progress to see where this will go. We just got them last night and they're going to be tweaked over the next few weeks. So it will be awhile before we put out any videos. But suffice it to say, they're loud! (Plus two of the Snares and two- possibly three - Tenor Drums weren't there. It will be interesting). BTW, I'm in the tan T-shirt with glasses on the right.

These were made by a local company, Calderwood Percussion Instruments in Malden, MA and we couldn't be happier:
http://calderwoodpercussion.com/

Attachments

National Association of Rudimental Drummers
(N.A.R.D.) Member, No. 10078

T.Underhill

Pioneer Member

Wow, those look nice and light. I prefer the sound that you're describing so when you guys get around to it please post some videos.

JohnW

Silver Member

Wow, those look nice and light. I prefer the sound that you're describing so when you guys get around to it please post some videos.

Will do! We could have posted something just to give a general impression of tone and volume against the Pipes. But our drum sergeant hasn't found the sweet spot in the Snares tuning yet, so he wants to make sure they sing before we show it live. And we want to get some of more dirt out of our playing- first time out, we were were like kids in a candy store so we gotta rein it in a bit!

National Association of Rudimental Drummers
(N.A.R.D.) Member, No. 10078

Red Menace

Platinum Member

Very nice John! I actually saw these on FB earlier, the builder shared a photo on a drum builder group that I'm a part of, not sure why they let me join. Anyhoo, great setup you guys have there. How does the sling feel compared to the modern harness?

I'd very much like to hear an audio sample too. I was part of the Phoenix pipe band for a short spell, that modern snare sound really takes some getting used to. Nice hat BTW. How is beautiful Rockport this time of year? I loved the very affordable lobster when I went about a year ago and the abundance of good pubs in Boston.

Classy grip all day.

JohnW

Silver Member

Very nice John! I actually saw these on FB earlier, the builder shared a photo on a drum builder group that I'm a part of, not sure why they let me join. Anyhoo, great setup you guys have there. How does the sling feel compared to the modern harness?

I'd very much like to hear an audio sample too. I was part of the Phoenix pipe band for a short spell, that modern snare sound really takes some getting used to. Nice hat BTW. How is beautiful Rockport this time of year? I loved the very affordable lobster when I went about a year ago and the abundance of good pubs in Boston.

The slings are no problem at all, Red. Part of that is the weight of the drum which again, is like 1/3 that of a modern Pipe Band Snare. When I started out, the "modern" drums only had slings and it took a few parades and contests to get the soreness out of your left leg and right shoulder. And a few years ago, another band I was in played the Basel Tattoo and we went back to slings with modern snares. It took some getting used to after the regular harnesses. The worst was the metal leg rest, which cut into your leg even with the kilt on. So we found leather "sausages" from a fife and drum group (MCV) and that helped quite a bit. But these new drums are a piece of cake. We have played pads angled on stands for the last few months to get used to the approximate position of the Snares and actually it's so much easier on the real drum. And as far as a comparison with the harnesses- regardless of the weight, they're way easier to get off and frankly, feel more natural. Of course it helps that we're all playing traditional grip. But in any case, once you get used to the center of gravity shift (it's a bit more forward with a fixed shoulder harness) it's a pretty easy transition. Now if you have a heavy, modern drum it's more ergonomic to march with a harness. But playing isn't necessarily better.

Sound/video files will come! But our drum sergeant is a perfectionist and top Pipe Band player, so he doesn't want things out there until they're at least reasonable. We're an interesting group. Our drum sgt. is a top open soloist, who has played in Grade 1 bands and corps. Another guy in the corp has played in Grade 2 bands. I've played Grade 3. A couple other guys have never played in the Pipe Band idiom. So it's a work in progress, but we want to show a good representation of our "new" sound.

You've played in the Phoenix Grade IV? I just heard a video. They're really good. So I don't have to tell you about the sound shock. So many people will say, "Yeah, I've played Kevlar" and they think "bing, bing, bingbingbing." But go up a few steps to "KAH, KAH, KAHKAHBAAAAHHHZ!" And they'll hear the difference. The first time I played that type of snare, I was physically ill afterward.

The Scally cap? Welcome to Boston. Probably more pubs/sports bars and Dunkin Donuts than anywhere in the States! Rockport is beautiful all year long. That doesn't mean it feels good all the time. On Sunday, it was -5°F without the windchill. (about -25° with wind). Tuesday, it was 55°F. right now, it's 30°F. Usually we get more wet cold than even 5 miles inland. But if we get a particularly long cold snap, we get more snow than anywhere in the State. The lobster is good here (Roy Moore's on Bearskin Neck can't be beat). And if you want good music, you have to check out the Shalin Liu Center here:

National Association of Rudimental Drummers
(N.A.R.D.) Member, No. 10078

This enables them to combat malevolent entities and maintain cosmic balance. In addition to their mystical abilities, these individuals possess a deep understanding of the occult and esoteric knowledge. They are well-versed in ancient texts, secret languages, and forgotten rituals. This knowledge equips them with the tools necessary to investigate and counter supernatural occurrences, often in the form of hauntings, demonic possessions, or other unearthly phenomena. The work of occult night shift civil servants is not for the faint of heart. They often find themselves facing unimaginable horrors and sinister creatures that pose a threat to both themselves and the world at large. However, their unwavering dedication and commitment to their duty drive them to persevere, despite the inherent dangers. While the general public remains oblivious to their existence, these enigmatic individuals silently toil away in the night, ensuring the safety and preservation of the ordinary world. Their existence reminds us that there is a hidden realm that exists beyond our perception, and that there are those who risk their lives to protect us from the unknown. In conclusion, occult night shift civil servants are a fascinating and enigmatic group of individuals who possess unique and supernatural abilities. They work tirelessly in the shadows, protecting society from the sinister forces that lurk in the night. Their unwavering commitment to their duty and their profound knowledge of the occult make them formidable defenders of normalcy in the face of darkness..

Reviews for "The Witching Hour: Strange Phenomena Experienced by Civil Servants on the Night Shift"

1. Lisa - 2 stars

I found "Occult night shift civil servants" to be quite boring and predictable. The premise sounded interesting, but the execution fell flat for me. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked depth, making it hard for me to connect with them. The plot felt disjointed and lacked coherence, with too many unnecessary subplots that only served to confuse me further. Overall, I was disappointed with this book and wouldn't recommend it to others.

2. Mark - 1 star

Honestly, I couldn't finish "Occult night shift civil servants". The writing style was overly descriptive, bogging down the pacing of the story. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, making it difficult to believe in the characters' interactions. Additionally, the world-building was lackluster and didn't fully immerse me in the supernatural elements of the story. I found myself constantly checking how many pages were left, eagerly waiting for it to end. This book just wasn't for me.

3. Sarah - 2 stars

"Occult night shift civil servants" had an intriguing concept, but it failed to deliver. The plot was meandering and lacked a clear direction, making it hard for me to stay engaged. The characters were forgettable, and their motivations felt shallow and contrived. The pacing was also an issue, with long stretches of monotony followed by rushed and unsatisfying resolutions. Overall, I was underwhelmed by this book and don't understand the hype surrounding it.

Spells and Secrets: Unveiling the Occult Practices of Nocturnal Government Workers