It’s safe to say that one of things you learn as you get older is the fact that things change. And can they ever! From the wrinkles that carve into your reflection to the leaves that fall from the trees each fall here in Tennessee, everything is changing in the cycle of life.
Change happens regularly in the local music scene too. Over the years, we’ve seen bands come and go — some reach noticeable levels of success while others fade into the background of great memories.
That’s why we borrowed a concept from VH1 and launched a new feature on The Buzz music forum called “Where are They Now?” Like the TV documentary, we’re now hosting online conversations about the bands that are no longer together here in the Tri-Cities.
It’s a nostalgic look over our shoulder to remember bands like Brian and The Nightmares, Stinky Finger, Passenger, The Texas Vampires and even some old ’60s – The Carousel and The Castaways. Spanning over 40 years, this new forum is especially interesting as people share memories, music and more about the way things used to be.
Speaking of changes … a few weeks ago, The Sophisticated Otter in Johnson City played host to perhaps one of the last performances from Joe Clark’s Remedy.
As a band, Joe Clark’s Remedy was formed after the demise of Yukon, which carved a niche in the original music scene a few years ago with its jazz-inflected groove music. They had differences with their drummer and Jason Roller was brought in for the remedy.
You might recall Jared Bentley, vocalist for Joe Clark’s Remedy from his cable access show, “So You Think You Know Sports.” Jared’s a fine talking head, but his signature talent is a soulful voice that has always been on the front ranks of some of the most eclectic talent in the region.
Before the show, Jared explained the band was taking a break to either “refocus or call it quits.” No real issue it seemed and regardless of the outcome, I’ll be looking forward to where these guys end up.
Brothers Chad and Kevin Light are essential ingredients to the roots-oriented music of Joe Clark’s. Chad plays electric banjo and weaves an Appalachian/reggae influence in his music that is complemented by his brother’s bass.
The music these guys make together is truly something unlike any other band in the area, but what impressed me the most was the performance of Jason Roller on drums.
Over the past few years I’ve heard a lot of talk on the street about Jason. Roller is a graduate of the ETSU music department and performs with several artists in the region. As a jazz drummer, he kindled an aggressive and organic perspective for Joe Clark’s Remedy. He could be one of the best drummers — and he’s fun to watch. We spoke during the break and despite the fact that he had a touch of the flu, he described his influences as “everything from John Bonham to Buddy Rich.”
Despite the fact the audience enjoyed Joe Clark’s Remedy, this might have been the last show. The jury is still out as to whether they will continue, but we witnessed three great sets of original music that will certainly reanimate other bands in the future should they go their separate ways because they are all terrific players. (Hats off to Pickle with the SoundPranos for another great job behind the scene).
They say that as one story ends, another begins. Jarrod Griffith was hanging at the Otter and getting ready to rehearse with his band Goodspeed as Remedy was finishing their first set. The Otter is renting out rehearsal space and he told me tales about his band’s recent trip to L.A. that included a recording contract, a video in the desert and the most important news of changes in the lineup.
Pickle told me how to get upstairs to the third floor and just inside the closed session, I had a front row seat to a Goodspeed rehearsal. The band was performing in a room of mirrors and a shiny hardwood floor that used to be a dance studio and I was overwhelmed with the new commercial magnetism of their music.
GoTriCities sponsored an early Goodspeed performance during the 2004 Homegrown Showcase and since then the band has matured into one of the most exciting new acts I’ve seen.
It’s clear that many things have changed with this band. I was excited to see Keyth Harkleroad on bass sporting a deep blue Mohawk. Keyth has played the region for years and was formally with the band Judah First. Behind him on the drum kit was the former drummer for Five Foot Mullet. Gibson was sporting a hip new look too, but what impressed me the most were the new songs — so much so that we’ve decided to sponsor their breakout party at The Sophisticated Otter on Dec. 11.
It should be a great show, and we’ll look forward to fantastic future performances from this popular band that is just starting to cut a new path.
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David Cate is new media director for the GoTriCities Network.