Nevermind "dirty old one-man band" (Scott's words)-- Scott H. Biram is a one-man sit-down hurricane. He's the perfect storm of Delta blues, punk-indie-metal, yesteryear country, and hillbilly hellfire. Stripped down, plugged in twice, a little (or a lot of) distortion.. played with the speed of bluegrass.. and the foot-stomping fury of a bona fide backwoods hoedown.
Armed with a baseball cap, plaid shirt, 4 guitars, and 3 amplifiers (elaborately rigged--no need for a pulpit), Scott ripped it open for more than two hours. He seemed like he had plenty more where that came from-- nevermind the flickering closing-time lights. Throughout almost all songs he stomped his own driving backbeat with his left foot. The beat combined with the intense rigor of his guitar playing-- his music continually shot fire underfoot. And there was plenty of movement-- it's a site to see one person sitting down for hours continuously conjuring a dance floor.
The human brain likes to categorize. I had only seen Scott perform one other time, and then got to know some of his recorded work. I kept arguing with myself as I listened to him in person this time: wow this is clearly blues -- the chosen chord progressions, growling vocals, lyrics of loss.. no, this is punk. no, metal --the tempo, hard furious playing, fuck-this! attitude.. and why do I keep thinking country-- the twangy chops, rhythmic strumming, howling, yodeling desperation? As a teenager he played in a punk band, and later in 2 bluegrass bands. The jury is still out. It really depends on the song, even the moment. But if I had to vote, I'd say Scott H. Biram, underneath it all, is a blues man. No, a clear punk. No, a..
On his myspace page under Influences: "I hate music. Music sucks. Boo Music!!" and Sounds Like: "Muddy As Fuck".
Tonight we heard a satisfying cross-section of Scott's work (both new and old-- he's working on a new recording now), as well as his renditions of the works of his Influences? We heard some Leadbelly, Big Joe Williams, and (completely electrified) Muddy Waters ("I Can't Be Satisfied", "The Same Thing").. and some of Scott's: "I Want My Mojo Back"--> (please ask Scott where this song came from, because I won't tell his good story), "Wildside", "Blood, Sweat, and Murder", "Alcohol Blues", and the climactic "Truckdriver" with megaphone-turned-CB-radio intro. Also one of my personal favorites: the forlorn "Sinkin Down". Ahh..
At one point he was playing only the harmonica, and another point singing a capella. If the titles of the songs above didn't clue you in, Scott sings of risk, loss, sin, pain, booze, love, judgment, travel.. feelin twisted good, feelin real bad, and raising hell. Although his live performances are quite frenetic, don't deny yourself the opportunity to listen closely to what Scott can do in a studio. He has about 7 recordings, some of which are on his own former label (Knuckle Sandwich Records). He can get strictly country, or strictly Delta blues, or carefully control the level of rock he weaves in.. at times he adds other instruments like the Hammond B-3, or plays with a glass slide.. Seeing him perform is much about the energy, and listening to his studio work is a real chance to appreciate his instrumental craft and lyrics--you can hear his delicate side. (I mean musically delicate--Scott himself is made of iron. And spit.) The recordings are cleanly produced, letting his bare-bones talent shine. On his website, you can find his CDs in the "Buy My Shit" section.
In the middle of a frenzied piece-- I realized in some songs, Scott appears to play rhythm guitar and a solo at the same time. What I mean -- it was almost a battle of the hands. His right hand was shredding steady on the strum pattern while his left hand was telling a wild melodic story. The result is mind-boggling.
I couldn't understand most of what Scott said-- he talks often between songs, and tells great stories-- I think--but oh gosh he talks fast. One thing I did catch was a direction to the dancers in mid-frenzy: "Shake that shit!" (Yessir!)
And whether this is common knowledge or new to you, it is worth mentioning Scott's near- fatal accident with an 18-wheeler back in 2003. All the grit and ferociousness in his music must come from the heart and soul of the person inside the body, because he was performing from a wheelchair, with IV and broken limbs, a month after the collision. Makes my eyes water with awe. Scott H. Biram is clearly a force to be reckoned with. And just to remind who owns that death-defying moment, Scott's website.. well, take a look.. Bless his hootin and hollerin soul!
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