Saturday the Casbah played host to two shows to advertise the opening of Bettye Jane’s Fashion Exchange on Walnut Street in Johnson City.
The first show was an all ages show that featured Commerce, Winter of ’74 and In Remembrance of Me, and the second show featured Jet Jaguar and Scullsoup in addition to those bands.
The first show quite frankly is not even worth mentioning. Only around 30 people showed up and all of the bands gave what I believe was a subpar performance. Therefore I am just going to give you the run down of the second show.
Commerce opened with a nice dose of indie rock. The band that features guitarist/vocalist Matthew Little, guitarist Chris Mitchell of Winter of ’74 fame, drummer JG of The Well Band, and up and coming bassist Matt Martin were tight for only being together as a collective unit for a week.
The real story with this band is the superb song writing of frontman Matthew Little. With songs such as “To Jeff City With Love,” Little gave the crowd a soundly articulated slice of modern life with his lyrics. If Little can control his sometimes-dreadful voice this band could really take off. * * * 1/2
Next up was space rock/hardcore band IROM (In Remembrance of Me). Guitarist Aaron Free strapped on his 6-string for the very last time as a part of IROM. Like the night before when I saw IROM at Way of the Cross church, they were tighter than I had ever seen them before, and they gave yet another top notch performance.
The local scenesters were out in force once again to support IROM with hardcore dancing and sing alongs to what have become familiar songs to them. I can not say much more about IROM that I have not already said in my review of the Way of the Cross show.* * * *
IROM was not the only band that night to have a member playing his last show. To kick things up a notch, Winter of ’74 took the stage in what was to be drummer Tim Smith’s last performance with the band.
I have always taken great delight in seeing these guys play. Through the first half of the set it was no different. Singer Drew Montgomery once again delighted the crowd with his gorgeous singing and catchy lyrics that will have you singing along before the song in finished.
The band stands out so much because each member is instrumental to its success:Drew Montgomery with his remarkable skill of writing catchy songs and a voice like nobody else in this area; guitarist Chris Mitchell with his ability to do what look like stripper moves on stage and make noises that somehow make songs wonderful; bassist Nelson Arblaster with his ability to drive a song with the most ridiculous basslines I have seen in this area; and drummer Tim Smith’s hard-hitting drumming and overall bad ass attitude.
After Winter of ’74’s Smith played his last song, “The Start,” with the band, new drummer Daniel Kayser took up the sticks to fill some really big shoes.
The rest of the set was still good but something seemed to be missing from the second half of their set. The drumming just felt odd after listening to Smith’s hard beats and then being exposed to Kayser’s more pop music influenced drumming. Only time will tell if this band has truly been knocked a few steps back without Smith. * * * 1/2
For a complete change of pace, Jet Jaguar took the stage with a hollowed-bodied guitar and an upright bass.
I had never seen these guys before I went to this show, and after this show I never want to see them again. Jet Jaguar played through what I believe was 15 songs (I could be wrong because they all sounded the same) about drinking beer.
These guys played what I believe were the same power chords for every song then they showed song talent when guitarist Isaac Stone would break into a somewhat impressive rockabilly solo.
Even with that bit of talent, it was not enough to bring up the subpar show they put on. Good thing Stone draws for a really good comic book (Mr.Dean) because this band is a dud. * 1/2
After the monotonous set that was Jet Jaguar, Greenville’s Scullsoup took the stage. Again this was a band I had never seen before but had heard quiet a few things about.
Apparently things that I had read about Scullsoup were completely fabricated because I wound up slamming my head again the side of the JBL speakers hoping they would stop their set.
Scullsoup’s music is comprised of idiotic uninspired lyrics and guitar riffs that anybody who has picked up a guitar for a day could play.
Throughout the show singer Vanbuscar (get it VAN BUS CAR) fell on his butt and just stopped singing several times.
The only saving grace of this band was bassist Poop Johnson (what the heck is with these guys and their witless names?) who added a bit of depth to the band with his fast rumbling basslines.
Scullsoup is beating the old crusty quasi-punk band gimmick with a really big stick and I can only hope I will not be subject to another viewing of this vile shamble of a band.

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