Hand Lettered Instrument Road Case, ca. 1916 de The North Side Spasmodic Band

Used; Like New/Used; Like New. Graphically striking vintage suitcase used as instrument case by the leader of the wonderfully named and unique traveling musical formation from the Hoosier state.  The Spasmodic band were a group of oddballs who played bizarre music from homemade instruments in Mishawaka, a suburb of South Bend, Indiana.  Write-ups of their gigs, generally house parties and boxing matches, in 1916 and 1917 can be found in the archives of the local paper.  Included is a note explaining the original use of the case and its provenance: "This suitcase owned by Connel Yazel (1874-1972), the leader of this band, who lived at the Marion St. Mishawaka address. He was a member of the band from about 1896 until 1936, and could play multiple instruments, including the drums, harmonica, banjo, and guitar. He was famous in the area for balancing himself on a cut of broomstick and hopping around stage on it.  Connel kept his band stuff in the suitcase. Information from his grandson, Roy Shamory, of Edwardsburg, Michigan." In imperfect condition, with a period make-do repair to the handle fashioned from a bolo tie.
"'The north side spasmodic band held another meeting last night at the home of D. Rich, E. Grove St.  Put some dope in this.' Signed, Scottie. What d'ye want Scotia Something for nothing we'll wager.  We suppose you mean a 'deuch and doris' by your reference to dope.  When we last heard the spasmodic aggregation, it sounded to us as if the 'instruments' needed oiling.  They do say you can knock quite a lot of music out of a bottle of Scotch, and you ought to know it Glesca!"  South Bend News Times, December 24, 1916 p. 11, under the Mishakawa News rubric.
"A group photograph of the 'Spasmodic' band was taken Wednesday evening by Snyder, the photographer, at his studio before the crowd left for the South Bend Country Club, where they were engaged to entertain for the evening. The band is a burlesque affair made up of 11 young men of the city, under the direction of E. P. Wallace.  They effect a variety of ridiculous uniforms and present an altogether startling appearance."  South Bend News Times, November 1, 1917, p. 10.  Strangely, the photograph itself did not appear in the newspaper.  Note that this was one of several newsflashes on Halloween festivities under the Mishakawa News rubric on that day.