Ever since I was introduced into the “scene” in high school, one band has always been revered as the top band in the area. Of course at the time the band was known as 2540, a Christian pop punk band in the vein of MxPx.
Years later the band had a change in style, name and drummer. Now The Showdown is reigning supreme over the local “scene.”
Last Friday, I went to Way of the Cross Church in Johnson City to see The Showdown for the first time since their release on Mono vs. Stereo, as well as opening bands In Remembrance of Me and apinkdream. There was a crowd of 150 to 200 people stuffed into the bottom of Way of the Cross church for what was sure to be a killer show.
Apinkdream began the show without a drummer because he was called into work at the last minute. Instead of canceling, they made do with what they had. The bassist took up keyboard hours before the show and guitarist Chris Mitchell (of Winter of ’74 fame) put down the electric for most of the set and picked up the acoustic guitar.
Their set, although not as tight as possible, did have its highlights. Apinkdream made use of the drum machine on the keyboard on one song and played electric that immediately got the crowd clapping along with them, and last but certainly not least, they finished the set with “Grosse Pointe Blank,” a Cure-esque song that is sure to get your foot tapping. * * *
After a rather slow start, the pace was about to change with local favorites IROM (In Remembrance of Me) playing next. The crowd immediately cleared out a space in the middle for the hardcore dancing to begin.
The scenesters were almost as crazy as IROM was on stage with cartwheels, kicks and other swinging body parts; the crowd was defiantly buying what IROM was selling.
IROM was tighter than I have ever seen them before. It is a shame that this show was guitarist Aaron Free’s second to last show. IROM put on a great stage show full of humor with on stage high-fives between breakdowns and capricious mosh calls.
However, IROM was not all fun and games. Guitarist Wesley Baughman put on a stellar performance with somewhat space rockish lead parts that eventually lead into a brutal breakdown that would make any scenester want to dance.
IROM is quickly becoming one of the best bands in the local “scene.” Their song writing has developed and matured over the years with songs like “Scream! Unclean,” where lead screamer Jake Moore’s lyrics depict someone running from their sin. I just hope this growth continues with what could be the next big thing in the hardcore scene. * * * *
After IROM got everybody’s adrenaline flowing, The Showdown was up next to blow the steeple off the church.
With what can only be described as a relentless assault on all of your senses, Mono vs. Stereo artists The Showdown began to shred through their set.
From beginning to end, these guys did not stop moving and neither did the crowd. The Showdown showcased a very eclectic style of metal with influences from bands such as Lynyrd Skynyrd, Pantera, Corrosion of Conformity and Dying Fetus made very apparent.
They presented these influences very meritoriously with their performance of “From the Mouth of Gath Comes Terror.” The song has the fiercest double bass I have ever heard, and just when you think you have heard it all, they go into a southern rock breakdown.
Lead screamer and ETSU graduate David Bunton sang lyrics that proudly and openly professed the band’s faith in Christ with melody reminiscent of Thrice when he sang. But when he began to scream and growl, it made my blood curdle.
The rest of the set brought forth killer guitar shredding – that of guitar gods – and bass that sounded like thunder, not to mention gang vocals that made even me, Mr. Anti-Metal, want to sing along. * * * * * HHHHH
After the show, I got to speak with The Showdown. Bassist Eric Koruschak said that they were beginning a tour through March 14 with Showbread, Mortal Treason and Becoming the Archetype.
They all said that they are excited about tour because of the great people they get to meet, getting to grow closer as a band, and the funny things they get to see on tour.
In between chants of CLOD from all the members of The Showdown, they said last tour, while standing outside the Waffle House they saw a lady ramp her car over a curb, through a levy and onto train tracks; found out that touring mates Mortal Treason wanted originally to name their band CLOD (Christians Living on Daily); and guitarist Travis Bailey ate what he said were the hottest buffalo wings in the world that made him jump into the shower with his clothes on – for reasons I will not discuss here.
Drummer Andrew Hall went on to say that they plan on touring the states throughout the rest of the year in support of their Mono vs. Stereo release A Chorus of Obliteration.
Koruschak said that their main goals on tour were to “Jam for the Lamb and be in it for the kids.

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