Word and pictures by Duane Clawson
So, if I asked you to mix me up a
modern day bluesman what ingredients would you use? If you were
mixing up a bluesman like Scott H. Biram, it would be a complicated
mix. Everything about this show put on by the Firebird was a
complicated mix. Hipsters. Cowboys. Blues fans. And folks that
looked like former pro wrestlers were all in attendance. Even Mr.
Biram’s set list was a complicated mix consisting of Blues, Rock,
Bluegrass, Old School Country, Larry the Cable Guy, and tall cans of
Guinness. Biram’s body of work is huge including songs that are
featured in the TV shows Sons of Anarchy, Dog the Bounty Hunter, and
the motion picture, The Darwin Awards. Mr. Biram has also been included in six
documentary films and had songs recorded by Hank Williams III and
Shooter Jennings.
The Busch and Natty Light 2x4s were
flowing freely as the highly capable opening act Fat Tramp Food Stamp
took to the stage. As if the beer was not enough of a propellant, Fat Tramp threw out some heavy metal howls blended with country twang to set
the mood for one of the rowdiest shows I have attended in recent
memory. After a proper priming by the men of Fat Tramp, it was time for the main
event, Scott H. Biram. Mr. Biram’s stage has a minimal setup: a
couple amps, a stool, microphone, bullhorn, effects rack, and a road
case containing some beat up guitars. Biram could be the true
definition of a modern day traveling minstrel show. When Biram shoots
his vintage, large-bodied, acoustic Gibson guitars through the
effects and amplification, something magical happens to the music
known as the Blues. This was Scott’s first visit to St. Louis in
almost three years.
Throughout the night, I heard the words “I remember
the last time he was in town”. Those words are a real compliment in
this current era of music. Scott had the crowd entranced with his take
on songs by Doc Watson, Muddy Waters, and Jimmy Martin. He also
performed songs from his latest effort Bad Ingredients. A
booze-fueled audience member took his 15 minutes of fame by sitting
on the front of the stage until he was kindly asked to move by a
large gentleman in a straw cowboy hat. The rowdiness of this crowd
sustained during Biram’s one-hour and forty-minute set. Biram
proved himself to be an all-around entertainer with jokes, stories,
and top-notch guitar playing. I always find it amazing how fast the
time goes when I am truly enjoying a show, such as this. As the
show ends, I make my way over to meet Mr. Biram and thank him for
allowing MTC access to his world. While walking over to do some
gripping and grinning, I notice the floor of the Firebird. It was
littered with unidentifiable liquids and empty beer cans. Just a
couple of more items that are added to this list of Bad
Ingredients that make up Scott H. Biram. Pictures of the show are below:
Scott H. Biram / Fat Tramp Food Stamp @ the Firebird, St. Louis, MO
Reviewed by Scott Rowe, Editor
on
February 04, 2013
Rating:
Reviewed by Scott Rowe, Editor
on
February 04, 2013
Rating:
