In 2011, five kilted teenage boys from Florida became viral sensations after a clip of their flawless drumming and stick flipping at their high school talent show captured the attention of 29 million fans.
In 2011, student Dylan Charles decided to resurrect the Hot Scots, a drumline that was created in the 1990s by a group of boys at Florida’s Lake Howell High School.
While the original group lasted only a handful of years, the new Hot Scots was about to be immortalized by Dylan, along with friends Nigel Fernandez, Matt, Elias and Jordan, with a visually and sonically impressive performance at the high school talent show.
“We just played some of our favorite drum corps excerpts and then Nigel and I filled in the rest,” Dylan, a Hot Scots snare player, told Drumlines of America (DOA).
What Dylan failed to mention is that the teenagers, all dressed in kilts, pulled off a crowd-rallying performance, filled with visual quirks, comedic skits, impeccable choreography and rapid-fire drumming.
Comedic skit
At one point, the drummers stop beating and one, using his sticks as a microphone, starts singing “Never Gonna Give You Up,” the 1987 hit song by Rick Astley.
After they all join in and sing a few lines, they start drumming again, only to be interrupted by one player shouting, “Awww, I lost the game!”
The boys end the show by turning around, lifting their kilts and mooning the excited audience – the team all had shorts underneath.
Online sensations
The Hot Scots won the talent show and more than 29 million fans who watched the YouTube clip that was shared by Fernandez on March 11, 2011.
And, over the past 14 years, online users have been sharing their praise in the comments section of the clip that continues to make its rounds on the internet.
“Here it is July 24, 2019, and this just showed in my video feed – and it was very enjoyable! Great job, guys,” writes one netizen.
“It’s 2022, this is so fresh, alive, real, passionate, not enough words to describe what these guys do, big thank you,” offers a second user.
A third shares, “That was the most fun Drumline I’ve ever seen! 13 years late to the party!”
‘You rock’
Meanwhile, many viewers can’t help but express their amazement at the coordination, speed, and discipline of the young drummers.
“I hope y’all realize just how impressive this is, the timing and accuracy that these guys have is on par with leading drum corps,” shares one netizen.
“Phenomenal talent in authentic tartan kilts from various clans. You rock, gentlemen!” writes a second.
Another adds, “People have no clue how insanely hard this would be to pull off. These guys were doing stuff most musical professionals couldn’t do.”
What do you think of this drumline performance? Please let us know your thoughts and then share this story with others so they can also enjoy this extraordinary show!
