In 1st gear the rear band being applied or dragging would not cause this problem , if he were to put the trans in manual low the rear band is APPLIED.
second gear rear clutch still applied , front band grabs the front drum , if the rear band was not releasing he would not have a clean shift and the car taking off as it normally would .
First is the rear clutch applied , the front band is released and the front clutch is released , the only things I would think that would cause this is if something was jamming up the front drum ???