A few weeks ago, we celebrated Evan Strickler’s 19th birthday party at Outback and while in Johnson City, I was happy to check out early and hear two of the region’s most popular bands at Stir Frye Cafe and Kemmosabes. Spank and Citizen Kane left me entertained and I continue to be inspired by my friends who are creating great music and good times throughout the region.
Willie Simpson was talking with me before his performance with Spank at Stir Frye. He was pointing to the large shiny rack of multi-colored colored spotlights right behind his head. Willie plays drums for the band and his crew-cut hair (regulation Bristol, VA police department) doesn’t protect him too much when he’s playing and they turn up those bright yellow beams. I’m almost certain he needs to apply sun block as he plays behind one of the area’s most popular cover bands.
Spank is a Bristol-based act that performs before large audiences of people who like to dance. Tom is their front-man and is a good performer but has more appeal “spanking” girls on the bum as he applies a shiny Spank sticker (the band’s trademark – along with the lights). They pay the light man as a member of the band too and together with a terrific set list of high-energy rock/pop dance music – this show is certainly over the top. In the wrong place this might be an anchor around their neck, but it sure works in a place like the Stir Fry.
Rafael met me at the door earlier in the night and I asked him about Downtown Kingsport. Along with his partners, they have been staking out territory on Broad Street. He held up his thumb and middle finger and stated they were “this close” holding the two fingers slightly apart, “to closing the deal on a site on Broad Street.” He mentioned restoring the original facade on the Intellithought building and putting in a downstairs venue that could be our downtown’s first people magnet.
There’s one thing for certain though – the girls like to dance when Spank is on stage and they do a pretty good job of keeping the interest of fans who like that in a club. The music is song for a song, an optimized play list of up-tempo pop songs that are sure to please and they even drag out Pat Benetar, J. Geils Band and other party-pop tunes.
I was real happy to see my friends Angie and Vanessa. These are two of the most intriguing blonde vixens in this part of the state and each are aglow with a child on the way and considering the mothers (one a police officer – another a jazz singer), the world has yet to see how we will benefit from these two special people.
Willie is the father of Angie’s baby and took over the drums in Spank a few months ago when Clear called it quits. His energy and pocket is the right style for this band and they truly have an entertaining set list. That’s evident in the crowd too, because they were all aglow and sweaty by the end of the first set.
Music has the ability to take on both forms of art and entertainment and Spank is amusing and fun if you’re looking for a party.
Later that night, I stopped by Kemmosabes Roadhouse in Boones Creek to hear Tom Bettini’s new band Citizen Kane. I’d heard stories about each of the musicians for months and recognized Donnie Alexander’s from an era with my friend Derek Helvey back during the early days of The Watch.
It was 1989 and I had just got a divorce from my wife Michelle and still young and dreaming of life on the road, Derek and I met Donnie Alexander in a warehouse freezer in Abingdon and jammed a few weeks that summer. Derek was good friends with Donnie and it had been almost twenty years ago since I had seen him last.
The barn was thumping as I drove into the parking lot of the roadhouse in Boone Creek. Inside, there was no cover and I saw Donnie right away. Phil Davis was just inside the door tweaking a few knobs on the sound-board and Citizen Kane was carving up a heavy course of metal. Other than Tom and Donnie, the two vocalists were the only guys I didn’t know in this band and even though they are surrounded by top-shelf talent and veterans, Myron Steffey and James Salyers stand with their own laurels as the original members of the band.
It’s been a long time since I’ve heard a great rock singer who fleshes out his melodies with an equal balance of rage and remorse, but Myron Steffey is a force to reckon with. He’s a young guy, humble and uncompromising with his music. On drums, he’s got a rock and roll pocket like few others. He’s not a thunderous metronome, but rather a tricked out 20-something who bangs and grinds a relentless pulse while driving home lyrics that sore with Mach 3 acceleration. It’s not hard to hear Soundgarden, Eddie Vedder, Rage Against the Machine and a number of other voices duplicated from this artist, but he’s got his own gift which should continue to evolve with his work with Citizen Kane.
Citizen Kane has a strong following too as they have been culturing the “Kane Crew” for a number of years. James Salyers formed the band with Myron in his garage several years ago and brought aboard their good friend Donnie. Salyers commented, “Donnie was our first choice because we grew up listening to him play all of these great songs we had been playing together.” Donnie, at the time in retirement, jumped at the opportunity and working together with Salyers on guitar, they plays some amazing solos together, exchanging honorable high-octane riffs void of ego and flattery, but equally memorable. It’s not unusual to see other players and fans bowing before the stage as each player performs up and down.
[ One side note and new revelation – I was happy to not see a Fender Stratocaster at Kemos this night ]
I enjoyed watching Spank earlier in the evening at Stir Frye. It was an entertaining show and as usual, there was a bounty of fashionable folks at this favorite night spot in Johnson City. I will admit that despite the fact you can still smoke in Kemmosabes, I enjoyed the performance of Citizen Kane with a bit more interest. These guys have a great set of original material that deserves a second or third listen and I’m certain that this act will be on my agenda in the near future.
It was good to run our tiny circuit tonight and hear a couple of favorite live acts. Spank has an entertaining show and will attract the dancers and area’s fashionable night life, but if you want to walk into a real rock and roll environment, put Citizen Kane on your calendar. These guys make no exceptions with their music and their mission – with high flowing vocals from Iron Maiden to gritty Nickelback and original music, Citizen Kane is a fresh local band that will continue to burn bright in the regionals soundscape.