Steve Casmano – RIP
Sad news in the Portland music scene today. Steve Casmano, a long-time regular in various Portland bands, passed away yesterday. The entry we received in our “suggestion box” says it more simply and succinctly than I ever could, so I will take the liberty of quoting it here:
Steve Casmano passed away last night after a several month battle with cancer. Steve had been a fixture of the PDX music scene for quite some time. His career as bass player extraordinaire spanned 3 decades. He played in a number of punk/rockabilly bands like; The Jackals, Sado-Nation, Oily Bloodmen and The Flapjacks. Seeing Steve belly up to the bar at Satyricon ‘back in the day’ was a familiar sight. In a music scene where image and ego can often get in the way, Steve was one of those “salt of the earth” type musicians. He brought a blue collar intensity and sincerity to whatever he did. He built some pretty sweet bikes, too. He leaves behind a young daughter. Portland has been richer to have had him here.
I had the pleasure of sharing a bill with Sado-Nation a few years back (although I’m fairly certain that Steve wasn’t playing bass for them at the time) and was gob-smacked at their sincerity, dedication, and approachability. In a town full of scenesters, it’s refreshing when you encounter the real deal. While I didn’t know Steve personally, from what I ‘ve heard of him, he shared those exceedingly rare and refreshing qualities. Steve spent his lifetime making Portland a better place for music, and those of us who came after him give our thanks.
My condolences and best wishes go out to his family, his friends, his band-mates, and his fans.
Rest in peace, Steve.
Thanks for posting, tenstringesquire.
There will be a wake at the Mt. Tabor Theater, Sunday 2pm.
Wow – Nolando and I were just talking about him and you guys playing with Sado-Nation last night. He was reading a book on hardcore bands and Casmano was mentioned in a section on the Portland scene.
Yeah, that’s odd timing and sad news. Thx for the report.
Yeah, I liked Casmano, he was always a honey. RIP.
There’s been a change of time on the wake for Steve.
It is now Monday evening, 2/18 7pm.
Steve was the best. Always a smile. From the Bloodmen to the Flapjacks thanks for the good times we had!
Steve’s wake is MONDAY at 8 pm at MT. tabor legacy 4811 se hawthorne
I sold my Tommaso road bike today and the guy I sold it to told me about Steve passing away, I couldn’t believe it. I’m going to miss Steve Casmano. Steve made frame #2 for me and I’ll never sell that bike. Wow crazy stuff, he was way to young.