SCOTT H. BIRAM
by Christer Davidsson, May 2006
Hi! How’s it going?
I'm doing great! I have been on the road, back and forth to Europe and all over the US since the middle of January.
I'm glad to be home for a little while...
For how long have you been plaing music and what go you started?
I've been playing music since I was a little kid. I've been in and out of bands for about 20 years. I've been playing guitar for 18 years now.
What inspires you to write and play music?
Life. Other music, Books, Movies, TV, High school/college acid trips, heh heh..Religion, Evil, My grandfather, CB radio conversations..whatever. I usually just let words flow out of my mind onto paper and then arrange them until I get some kind of situation or theme going..
Then I try to go with it. I write alot about the pain in my chest and the trouble with struggling to get through this bitch called life. Seems no matter how good things are going..there's always an aspect of my life that feels like a fuckin' hook in my side. There's always a catch to keep me feeling like I haven't won the battle completely. waaaggh..But let me make it clear..
I'm not fuckin' whining in my songs....And the shit ain't depressing either. I also write alot of songs from a character standpoint....Like I'm telling someone else's story in first person..if that makes any sense.
Then there are all of my call and return kind of songs....Repeat things over and over...turn it into a chant. I get that style from the old southern black baptist church spirituals and preachings.
Actually that's a bunch of bullshit...I don't really know where I get all these songs..It's therapy I guess.
Describe the Scott H Biram sound to the ones who never heard it.
Muddy. Dirty. Stinky Blues with a little metal thrown in there from time to time..Driving beat that comes from listening to so many old chain gang recordings.
I also do alot of old hillbilly songs and country style...Gotta have that R stuck in your throat to sing real country and bluegrass..And when I say real I don't mean that gay shit they're calling bluegrass these days. I mostly blues influenced. I also love the old truckdrivin' songs.
A sound man once asked me what I wanted to sound like on stage..I told him that if he made me sound like a cross between Muddy Waters, Bill Monroe, and Black Flag then he would have my sound down...
How has your latest album “The Dirty Old One Man Band” been received?
I have got alot of songs on TV shows, movies and commercials since it came out.. It won me a record deal with Bloodshot Records out of Chicago.
I mean I didn't even pitch it to them really..They called me..I get emails from people all over the world telling me they like it.
I get alot of "Thank you, you saved me." or "Thanks, your music changed my life." With the occasional "Please to send me a CD. It will make my dream come true." heh heh
I think that's a little dramatic but I think it means people like it alright.
My newest release comes out on July 18th. It's called "Graveyard Shift" and has more original songs than ever.
You received a bad review of it by pitchforkmedia.com so you decided to write ‘em back. I read your text and I think it was great! Are you always that straight-forward?
Fuck yes.I read about a serious car accident somewhere. Tell me about that. You were back on stage after a month, right?
I was hit head on and my truck was run over by an 18 wheeler big rig. I broke both legs, a foot, an arm and had to have a foot of intestine removed and sewed back to my colon. I had bones sticking out of my legs and arms.. I had about 14 surgeries..and was hospitalized for months and months,, off and on...
I spent my birthday and x-mas in the hospital that year.
I booked a tour while I was still bed ridden and hit the road as soon as I could walk again..I played an hour set in a wheelchair with braces and casts on my legs a week after I got out of the hospital in front of a packed house. I had an IV that went from my arm through my arteries to my heart dangling out while I played. My bones are mostly made of metal now, but more than anything I'm sick of talking about this shit every time I do an interview..No offense, but it's been three years and people still want me to re-hash the details...It just gets old talking about ..Oh poor little Biram...Some people say I must be really strong...
I just say I wanted out of the fucking hospital and back on the stage..Now where's my guitar?
You did all the artwork for your record, posters and merch, all the booking and promotion yourself. Do you want complete control of what you do?
I have produced 4 records on my own...with a 5th one on the way....You can still get them all on my website [www.scottbiram.com].
My new one "Graveyard Shift" comes out July 18th '06 on Bloodshot. Yeah I've done all the artwork and alot of the recording...I also do my own tee shirt designs and posters..I just have to get things done and you never know what you're going to get from a stranger. Also, by recording myself, I can really take my time and experiment a bit..
I wouldn't mind having someone else produce a record for me sometime..Hell, I wouldn't mind a beer right now either...
I think that’s a great record and you’ve got a new one coming out in July called “The Graveyard Shift” (Bloodshot Records). What can we expect from that one?
Like I said before, it's got almost all originals on it this time..I did a little of the preachin' style, a little country, a little heartfelt bullshit, some truckin' songs and a good wad of death metal....I'm waiting to see the response...I think it will be just fine..
I recorded it myself again so it's got that good ol' lo-fi sound still...
A lot of your songs are pretty dark. Would you call yourself a “troubled” man?
Yeah...I was getting at that earlier...I have never felt very satisfied....I don't write any of that whiney depressing bullshit indie rock style music that so many people dive right into. I like to rock out and holler my troubles directly instead of trying to write some candy-ass flowery song about poor me..
Alot of the subject matter in the songs is not really true to my story but it is a way to release my anger and love for whatever the fuck it is that's driving me crazy this year...I can laugh and have a good time but there's always a bunch of pain in the roots undeneath. I get sick of life pretty often. AWWWWW poor Biram. ugghhh.
The Weary Boys and Nashville Pussy both cover your songs on their latest albums. What other artists have you worked with.
I don't care to mention his name.
How does it feel when other artists cover your songs?
They always sound alot different than my versions. I like to hear other people's takes on my songs.
It makes me feel proud. It feels good to know that someone likes your song so much that they want to sing it too.
How come you are a one man band?
It's easy to practice..No ego trips...I don't have to split the money...It's fun to watch..I don't have to organize around other people's schedules..
I don't have to try to find a new bass player every 4 months..heh..I can pay my bills is the main thing...
Keith from Hillgrass Bluebilly Entertainment speaks highly of you. He told me that “everything Scott H Biram touches turns to gold”. What do you think of HBE?
They are a promotion company for the Phoenix Arizona area. Keith is doing a great job in Arizona makin' things happen with music...
They poor their hearts into it and are very hospitable too!! They put together some great shows...I love it when he sets up shows with me and Bob Log III over there. It's one man band party time on those nights!!
I plan on working with them for years to come.
I’m looking forward to hear your new record, will you be touring a lot after it’s release?
Oh yes. Most of the US and some Canada. I'll be in France with Bob Log III, and Legendary Tiger Man in August..
What’s the best thing about touring?