Scott H. Biram award winning American blues, punk, country, heavy metal musician, and record producer based in Austin, Texas. Interview February 26, 2014
Scott H. Biram Interview
1. What’s new in the life of Scott H. Biram?
Been updating my studio. I’ve been mixing down a live concert we recorded back in December. Hoping to get it out later this year.
2. How was it recording the new Nothin’ But Blood album?
It was great. Lots of work. I recorded a little over half of it here in my studio in Austin, and the other half with a guy named Eric Wofford at Cacophony studios also here in Austin. We had a great time working on it. I’ve been recording my last several records here at my place so it was good to get out and see someone else’s techniques. I’ve been kinda isolated for a long time as far as that goes. I hadn’t recorded in another studio since 2002, I think.
3. How did the song writing process work for the album?
My songwriting happens in all kinds of ways. The ones that come to me at 5 am when I just wake up and write them down are the best. I write on my couch, on my porch, in the van when I’m driving, in the shower, on the toilet…you name it. My friends and I bounce ideas off each other all the time.
4. Where did the concept and idea come from for the artwork of the album?
My art professor from college, Mark Todd has become a good friend and fan over the years and has done my last several covers.
I came up with the title of the record awhile back and he said “Oh there are a lot of possibilities there!” We did the photo shoot behind my friend Niles’ mom’s house. The album is a lot of hard rock mixed with a lot of gospel so it only made sense to put a bloody baptism on the cover. The whole album is kind of a dissonant look at the cross between Saturday night sinning and Sunday morning redemption.
5. What would be some of the craziest stuff you’ve seen on tour?
I punched a guy dressed like the devil in the stomach once and threw him off the stage in Georgia. I saw a heard of elk jump over my van’s hood while we were driving 75 on the interstate in Colorado once. I’ve driven alone for hours at 10 mph through extreme white outs in Utah and Oregon. I was afraid for my life. I’ve driven through the mountains in Montana/Idaho while fires burned all around until the inside of the van had smoke in it. That wasn’t comfortable. Just driving through the Swiss Alps in April was crazy to look at. Crossing the Serbian border then getting lost outside Belgrade was a little crazy. Once we were driving around in Italy aimlessly looking for a place to buy a map and ended up in Venice. That was a surprise!
6. Without Social Media could bands today manage to survive?
Sure they did it before. It’s just a lot easier than it used to be. These kids today just have to have a website and send an email.
We used to have to call up the clubs at all different times of day and send out press kits and basically beg for shows.
7. What would be some of your main influences?
Muddy Waters, Black Flag, Doc Watson, Bill Monroe, Merle Haggard, Lightnin’ Hopkins, Mance Lipscomb, Early Metallica…I could go on forever..
8. What could we find interesting in your music collection at home?
I’ve got a ton of rare old blues and country records. You might be disgusted at all my 80s stuff.. Huey Lewis, Cyndi Lauper, Steely Dan, Eddie Money. I’ve got a lot of old metal stuff too, and a bunch of Iron Maiden picture discs. I’ve got the original version vinyl LP of Guns N’ Roses Appetite For Destruction record with the Robert Williams painting on the cover.
9. Could you describe what goes on in a day in your life as a musician on tour?
Wake up. Get in the van. Do my accounting books so the IRS will leave me alone. Find some food. Drive for 4-10 hours. Sometimes answers some phone interviews along the way. Check in hotel. Load in to club several hours before doors. Soundcheck. Rush to find some dinner. Have a few beers while the first band plays. Find a bar that’s still open, or go back to hotel and watch MSNBC Lock-Up. Get up and do it all over again…about 200 times a year. It’s not as easy as it looks. I’ve got to write songs and record them in the small amount of time in between those tours and still try to get my personal life in order. It’s fucked.
10. Where do you see music going in 100 years from now?
All natural…I don’t think the human race will last that long.
More questions with Scott H. Biram
Life without music would be – Depends. If you’re like me, you hear music in everything….and voices.
Favorite movie – Too many, but Eastwood, Mcqueen movies are up there in the top.
Favorite sport – KickBall
Favorite food – Mexican/BBQ
Favorite drink – Bloody Mary
Favorite saying – “Party.” said very calmly.
Favorite car – My 1965 Ford Falcon Ranchero
Favorite book – Woody Guthrie “Seeds Of Man”
Favorite band – Too Many to name.
CD or Vinyl – Same answer.
Star Wars or Star Trek – Wars.
PC or Mac – Mac
Check out Scott H. Biram online http://scottbiram.com/