Review: Scott H. Biram 'Bad Testament'

Scott H. Biram

Every few years Texas blues guitarist Scott H. Biram releases an album, and every time we, here at 37FLOOD, review it and exclaim Biram a national treasure, and this time will be no different.

To say that Scott H. Biram, who seamlessly weaves blues, country, punk, and metal, is a master guitarist would an understatement. While it's true that his skill at the country blues style is seemingly unmatched in the modern world, He is dually skilled at songwriting.
But that's not to say Biram's guitar skills are not worth discussing.  Biram's guitar playing is very important in preserving the Texas blues tradition; those who enjoy blues and/or country music will know that two genres grew out of the same roots, and in Texas blues the roots continue to intertwine.

But if Biram has a fault, it is that he was born 40 years too late to truly be appreciated by a wider audience. His songs like 'Still Drunk, Still Crazy, Still Blue' or 'Slow & Easy' could have easily been chart topping hits back in the Outlaw days when Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, and Merle Haggard ruled the radio waves. If only he could have gone back in time when people cared for blood and bone country music his lyrics would have become so popular and emulated that they would have easily become old worn out country music clichés by now. Biram's lyrics, as in 'Red Wine' from the forthcoming 'Bad Testament' like ''You been down at the barroom, pressing your sweet body against another man's pride'' or ''set 'em up, I'll knock 'em down, wake me up when it's all over, it took less than that to make my heart lose it's mind.'' would be as familiar as 'tears in my beer.'



When Biram released 'Nothing But Blood' in early 2014 we hopefully mused that perhaps that would be the one album to bring him to the fore in popular culture with his solemn and sullen tracks like "Never Coming Home" with quiet and endearing lines such as "woke up thinking my soul had flown, I thought I'd died somewhere in the night. Yes I'm still just drifting on, got nowhere to do it right." And the honestly played gospel tracks "When I Die" and "John The Revelator" that embody the sincerity of Texas preacher and gospel legend Washington Phillips.

On 'Bad Testament' the other hand of good and evil takes the wheel. While less of his Metal and punk roots show, his sweet & heartbroken blues take a backseat to the hard playing angry other side of Biram's nature as heard on 'Righteous Ways' or 'Crippled and Crazy' with lines ''I'm crippled and crazy and out of control.. Calling all angels, all heartaches and demons, calling all lovers that left for no reason, down through the chamber that echoed the screamin'; twisted and turnin' I just quit believin' in love.'' It sounds like a man that's been walking the road for so long without arriving that he's about ready to just sit down and quit.

We can't let that happen, therefore we will again be hopeful in thinking this new offering by Country Blues one-man-band/barroom preacher Scott H. Biram will finally deliver him into the warm arms of the outside world.

Scott H. Biram's 'Bad Testament' will be released Feb. 24th on Bloodshot records. A limited edition of 500 Orange & Black swirl LPs have been available for pre-order since December haven't sold out yet, which doesn't fair well on our hopeful prediction this time Biram will finally ascend into the hearts and minds of the people; But there's still hope, It's not too late, and it starts with you... Preorder Here.

Best Of: 1st half of the decade (2010-1015)

Music:

Gayngs 'Relayted' 2010
One of the most imaginative ensemble albums ever created, the 22 member Gayngs  recorded 'Relayted' of the course of a year, and at the sexy 69 BPM, to incredible success, and has yet to release a follow up.

The Deloreans "American Craze" 2011

The Dynamite blast of the Deloreans 2nd LP mixes 1930s sentiment with equal parts Lounge Axe and B-52s stylized pop delivered with polished talent.   A must have for any fan of post-90s Louisville  rock. 

 The Fervor "Arise Great Warrior"  2011

Released within a month of American Craze, The Fervor's 'Arise' is a brutal and heartbreaking exploration through the choppy waters of love, that only a husband and wife group can deliver. Ben and Natalie Felker front The Fervor, with Ben's slick guitar, and Natalie's undeniably honest look into Love and Loss, through expert vocals and smooth keys. 

Death Grips "Exmilitary" 2012
The brilliantly executed 1st full length album by art-rap's damaged duo M.C. Ride &  Zach Hill is an excellent example of the anatomy of a madman's dream. It will cause you to question your entire life, and possibly reality it's self.

DMX "The Weigh In" 2012

 In 2012 DMX released 2 hard hitting LPs, the first ‘The Weigh In’ for free (in current hip-hop mixed tape style) as a prelude to ‘Undisputed’. I think both albums  are well worth any DMX fan's collection, but I keep finding myself going back to the Weigh In, as it is more gritty and with unabashed inflections that read like a prison diary that DMX was so good at in his early albums such as ‘It’s Dark and Hell Is Hot.’ It is also a  free album so nothing is stopping you.

 Bonnie "prince" Billy S/T 2013
One of the best albums entirely recorded, produced, and released by one man; and of of Will Oldham's most personal and heartbreaking works to date.



Frankie Cosmos "I'm Sorry I'm Hi Let's Go" 2013
Musician Greta Kline (AKA Frankie Cosmos) captures those awkward teen years in a musical diary as only the daughter of Kevin Kline and Phoebe Cates could.

Howell Dawdy "Mixtape" 2014
From the alter-ego of Lydia Burrell (which is the alter-ego of Alex Smith) this paranoid Art-Rapper is connecting the dots and exposing international (and inter-personal) conspiracy theories so we don't have to.


Scott H. Biram "Nothin' But Blood" 2014
Texas blues One Man Band, Scott H. Biram's Nothin' But Blood album plays like a schizophrenic jukebox jumping from head on collisions  like "Alcohol Blues" with lines like "You don't love me Mamma like you say you do, You can't be my woman sucking and fucking some other motherfucker too" straight into quiet and endearing tracks like "Never Coming Home"  with lines that will break your heart like "woke up thinking my soul had flown, I thought I'd died somewhere in the night. Yes I'm still just drifting on, got nowhere to do it right." It's full on honesty meets expert blues and country picking.


Dr. Dre "Compton" 2015
Who says Dre has lost touch? this 3rd solo release (in as many decades) has just as much fire power and creativity as anything Dre has ever worked on.

Leon Bridges "Coming Home" 2015
Born Todd Bridges, and transformed into the time machine that is Leon Bridges, this record will take you into the past as well as the future.

 Printed Pop:

  Life by Keith Richards (2010) this massive and energetic autobiography by Rolling Stones founder Keith Richards is an honest and open portrayal of Life as a living god.

With Amusement for All: A History of American Popular Culture since 1830 by Leroy Ashby (2012/updated edition) is the first comprehensive look into the history of pop culture (and also confirmed my suspicions that Pop culture was indeed born right here in the Derby City).  It's a must for anyone who has ever framed a movie poster, album cover, or comic book for proud display or safe keeping.

Hip Hop Family Tree by Ed Piskor (2013) is an amazingly detailed and thought out history of Hip Hop with it's origins in Bronx, NY. Not only has Ed Piskor painstakingly drawn out this history in Graphic novel format, but has also put all of it up to view free online. I got mine in paperback format from Phantagraphics. Hip Hop Family Tree vol.1 & 2 made it onto the New York Times Best Seller list of 2013 and is a must for anyone who enjoys the mythology of rock music and it's gods.

 

Supernatural Strategies for Making a Rock 'n' Roll Group By Ian Svenonius (2013) This book  came out in 2013, and promptly changed my life. It comes from a man whose work in The Make Up changed my life, and life path, back in the 1990s. Supernatural Strategies is a sweeping look into the social significance of Rock music in society, and is truly genius. this is no surprise coming from the man who has brought us The Nation of Ulysses, Make Up, the music podcast Soft Focus, and his first book The Psychic Soviet.  I buy this book everytime I see it just so I can hand it off to someone and maybe change their life too. It should be required reading for anyone who has made the choice between  making music or keeping a job, or buying records versus saving rent money. 

Film:

  Stones In Exile Directed by Stephen Kijak(2010) The amazing and at times unbelievable story of the making of  The Rolling Stones Exile On Main Street. Follows The Stones from their UK exodus, French explosion,  and brief L.A. refuge while wrapping up recording for this magnum opus of an album.

  The Sheik  Directed by Igal Hecht (2014) The true story of Khosrow Vaziri's flight from Iran under threat of assassination to U.S. Olympic medallist, to hated WWF character The Iron Sheik, to -finally- beloved American icon.



Goodbyes:

Jason Noble 1972-2012

Jon Cook 1973 - 2013

Jason Molina 1973 - 2013

Andrew Vititoe 1982 - 2015

Visit our other 'Best of' Lists here including our Best of 2000-2010 list.

Interview: Sarah of Murder By Death

Murder By Death show at the Stanley Hotel

From The Shining

37: Thanks for talking with us in the middle of your summer tour.

 The big hubbub in town is that your packing up after 15 years in (the band's hometown of) Bloomington and settling into your hometown, Louisville. We are happy to have you, what was deciding factor for heading south?

Sarah: Thank you! The biggest reason is family. We found a home that is within a mile and a half of my parents and my brother, Max. Coming in a close second for biggest reason is our friends. Since 2008 we have watched a steady stream of our close buddies move down to Louisville from Bloomington. We're following the siren song and joining what is quickly becoming the much-dreamed-about "friend island", but in Louisville rather than on an actual private island. Which is good, because import taxes can get out of hand quickly. 

37: 37FLOOD Writer Logan Nichols once told me that in high school as an aspiring musician he figured he would know if he made it if he was ever signed to Bloodshot Records. Around the 37FLOOD office we have been very impressed with Bloodshot these days. I have been loving the new Scott H. Biram album.  How are you enjoying being a part of the Bloodshot family? 

Sarah: We love being on Bloodshot Records. They sign bands they like, believe in, and want to support. And playing a Bloodshot event is never boring - we just did a show in Chicago with Andre Williams and he showed up in an iridescent purple suit and had the crowd (and us) in the palm of his hand.

37: You guys are known for coming up with creative projects and show themes, such as the 10th anniversary of  Who Will Survive and What Will Be Left of Them  at the Stanley Hotel (Stephen King’s inspiration for The Shining) and the As You Wish covers record where you let fans pick the songs. Do you have any wheels turning for upcoming projects? 

Sarah: As a matter of fact, the Stanley Hotel shows were such a blowout success (and so much fun) that we are doing it again this year. Also, we didn't see any ghosts this time so clearly we have to go back! By the time this runs all the info should be up on our website.  

Actual evidence of ghosts at The Stanley Hotel
 (Courtesy of Murder By Death)  

37: Do you have any thing special in mind for the June 7th show at Headliners?

Sarah: Yep. We're just going to stay in Louisville after the show. Forever. Gimmicky, I know.

37:  What are some of your favorite things that you will miss in Bloomington?

Sarah: It's hard to put into words. The entire band's history is in Bloomington; friends, basement-show houses, our favorite bartenders, favorite breakfast foods, night swimming in the quarries. It's a lot of things, and a lot of youthful things. 

37: What are some of your favorite things you'll be excited about in Louisville?

Sarah: I can't wait to be close to my family. Also I'm excited as hell about how Louisville seems to be getting better all the time. There's so much happening in the food scene, the music scene, and the revitalization of some downtown areas. Honestly, just generally stoked.

37: Good luck with the tour and the big move to city life, and we'll see you around town!

Sarah: Thanks for the interview!

Interviewer John King trapped in The Shining
(courtesy of Regan Layman)

MURDER BY DEATH will be playing June 7th at HEADLINERS with JAYE JAYLE and THE FOXERY.
18+  $15/$17  8 pm

Out Today: Scott H. Biram 'Nothing But Blood' LP

Looking to be just a day late of it's expected birth date, Scott H. Biram's new LP 'Nothing But Blood' is officially out today, followed by an intense round of touring. Regional tour dates include:
3/23 Saint Louis
3/25 Fort Wayne
3/26 Cleveland
3/27 Chicago
 and many other dates across the US as well as  Scandinavia.
Read our review of NOTHING BUT BLOOD here.


Order: scottbiram.com

Happy Record Store Day!

It's the second 'Record Store Day' of the year, and despite it feeling a little pimped out at this point, audiophiles like us aren't complaining too much. there is an avalanche of record store day releases this time around, most of which are reissues and box sets, with some honest to goodness must haves thrown in..
of the box sets the Cheap Trick & Harry Nilsson  collections look good, of the reissues finally the Steve Albini mix of Nirvana's In Utero  will be available, and there are some reissue 7"s out there too (Sly & The Family Stone  and The Standells stand out). For my money, the Scott H. Biram gospel 7" seems like a sure bet, read our review here, and for local releases you should be able to grab the THERE IS NO ONE: Louisville Is For Lovers Tribute to Palace Brothers on vinyl and cassette and the Gubbey Records 46 track compilation Head Cleaner on double cassette.

THERE IS NO ONE vinyl explosion

Tomorrow night at New Vintage The Bottom Sop is playing at the Gubbey Records release show, I know nothing about them, but I cannot stop listening to their track from Head Cleaner. can't wait to hear more from this band.. I'll see you out there!

Review: Scott H. Biram "Nothin But Blood" LP

Few musicians can pull off the sound of a long gone era with absolute honesty as well as truly embody the soul of times gone by like Scott H. Biram. His brand of dusty road Texas Blues and Bucket of Blood boogie-woogie simultaneously hit like a 2 X 4 and warms like a long lost lover's return; and his new Nothin' But Blood continues his sweet and brutal mix of blues, gospel, punk, and broken heart country.
The album plays like a schizophrenic jukebox jumping from head on collisions  like "Alcohol Blues" with lines like "You don't love me Mamma like you say you do, You can't be my woman sucking and fucking some other motherfucker too" straight into quiet and endearing tracks like "Never Coming Home"  with lines that will break your heart like "woke up thinking my soul had flown, I thought I'd died somewhere in the night. Yes I'm still just drifting on, got nowhere to do it right." And then there's Working On The Building Biram that can belt out gospel with the sincerity of Johnny Cash  and authority of Reverend Louis Overstreet, as heard on the tracks "When I Die" and "John The Revelator." It's a must have for Biram fans, and a must try for those not yet acquainted.  Although Biram has had some close calls in the past (hitting no.5 on the Billboard Blues Chart in 2009) He still hasn't seemed to become a household name. In 2010 I saw him tear the roof off of Zanzabar to a crowd of less than 30 (read the review here). perhaps this new release will win some converts to the Church of Biram.

Nothin' But Blood won't be out for 3 long months (2.4.14) but the first single containing When I Die will be available in stores on Nov.29 for the Black Friday version of Record Store day.

review: Scott H. Biram @ Zanzibar 8/11/10

somewhere around 1991 blues music collapsed into this polished middle aged suburban dance hall music that you couldn't escape. every bar with live music, wedding reception, or summer picnic was cursed with pot bellied white guys playing "mustang Sally".
a few years ago this guy i know said "the blues is what white children dance to at outdoor events". growing up listening to Jimmy Reed, Baby Face Leroy Trio, Lightnin' Hopkins, it is always painful hearing this new Blues, elevator music for divorcee's, and thinking that this is what most people think of when they hear the term "blues Music".
the same argument could be made for Country music. most people i know would rather be subjected to a root canal than contemporary Country music. believe it or not there is some great country music being played out there (see Larry Bagby), and Blues as well.
There is a resurgence of drunk & Lonely blues and country music throughout the south, with bands like Lucero paving the way and introducing new people to this age old art of self loathing sing a longs. it's helping artists like Scott H. Biram and Chadwick Wilde get a spotlight and perhaps a fighting chance.
unlike the super polished blues rock of The Black Keys, Biram's brand of blues is gritty and honest, like reading the diary of a down and out barfly (just listen to "Wreck My Car"). i've heard many Biram fans say that his music is relatable to their own lives. and then there is something romantic about alcoholism that can be just as addictive.
Scott H. Biram played on August 11th at Zanzibar to a crowd of less than 30. He had the misfortune of playing the same night as The Black Keys, his exact demographic. despite trying my damnedest to convert Black Keys Loyalists, there is something about embracing something that is already established, something we know it's OK to like, and despite Biram's large catalogue of music, he has yet to make that leap.
Jon Ashley started the evening with a very quiet set; a long way away from his explosive alter ego that we saw in nearly a decade ago in the band "the Slow Suicide". he was accompanied by Chadwicke Wilde, and even with twice as many people as Scott Biram, this set had less than half the enthusiasm as Biram's.
Honestly Jon Ashley makes me nervous. he has made a name for himself for being completely unreasonable, irrational and physically and verbally assaulting. on his record label's website his biography even brags about his abrasive personality stating "Jon Ashley was born in Frankfort, Kentucky in January of 1982. He has been irritating people ever since..." and "He apologizes for any annoyance, mental or physical abuse he may have caused any of you over the past ten years..." so i was a little surprised to see him so tamed, and quiet, as if he were nearly asleep, or a million miles away. the last time i saw him play i really enjoyed it. his lyrics and music had hooks that stuck with you. this time he seemed to be annoyed to be playing there and without any enthusiasm he mumbled out lyrics that were a little too on the nose for this type of crowd like "i got drunk, sobered up, and got drunk again". and at the end of his set he asked for his money and walked out the door. anyway, i'd rather not get assaulted the next time i run into him, so i'll move on, but i will say if you catch the right Jon Ashley you could be in for a nice set.

Scott Biram by contrast was explosive from the start with a healthy mix of Texas Gospel & Blues (see Reverend Overstreet), Country, and metal fused blues. singing, playing guitar, harmonica, and stomping out a beat, he got nearly every girl in the place up and dancing. he was fucked up and saucy, saying that he got drunk waiting for the Black Keys to end to see if more people would show up. after his 3rd song he asked the crowd how many times he had played it. even sideways he played passionately and stumblingly great, rambling on in between songs, telling stories and asking ridiculous questions. it would have seemed like he was playing the part of a drunk texas bluesman if it didn't seem so authentic. He played as long as the crowd kept dancing, and mixed in blues standards with some of his best songs such as "Still Drunk, Still Crazy, Still Blue" and at the end he stood up , hollered "gimmie my money, i'm getting the fuck outta here! oh, i'm just kidding!" and then proceeded to stumble around the room apologizing for being "such a ridiculous person." no need to apologize Scott Biram, your honest and captivating music is saving the Blues name one person at a time.

 "my momma told me, you better fuck around!" 

Alcohol Blues

Live at Zanzabar 8/11/10

embrace your inner Proletariat! Scott Biram 8/11 David Alan Coe 8/14

tonite is the ultimate show down. in one brightly lit corner (the beautiful Iroquois amphitheater) is everyone's favorite blues revivalists Black Keys. In the Other smaller orner is lesser known bluesman Scott H. Biram. no Doubt the Black Keys show will have all the bells and whistles a $40 ticket promises. $8 at Zanzabar offers a man on stage. but i find myself with the same enthusiasm for Biram that i had for the Keys way back when they were playing small barrooms and selling records out of a van. there is just some kind of energy from a musician playing music he loves for whomever will listen, with no guarantee or VIP meet and Greet sessions. for my money, i'd rather give it to the under dog, the man playing the same night one of the biggest bands in the country is playing down the street, and doesn't seem to mind there might be only a few people there to witness.
so i say, give the little man a chance, take a chance on yourself, take that other path.
and for that matter, next week you'll have a chance to take a truly different path when David Alan Coe plays the Rustic Frog in New Albany. here are 3 reasons you should do this.
1) it is the only time you'll drive on old river road and not be heading to a casino.
2)it is at a strip club
3)this is the man that sang "I was drunk the day my mom got out of prison..."
david alan coe at the rustic frog sat 14th new albany. $25

zanzabar nights

Zanzabar is heating up this summer, and the patio is a nice place to perch. but if you like it hot they have some shows lined up this August to get your Mercury rising. this weds (8/4) is Cults with nerves JR and friday is Harlequins.
Scott H. Biram is an old timey blues mess set to be seen drenched in booze on the 11th, and Louisville's favorite automaton group, Ultra Pulverize is blazing the stage on Saturday the 14th (these two shows are 37 flood approved!). as previously mentioned on 37 Flood, Black Joe Lewis playing on monday the 16th, and Lydia Burrell is playing with Follow the Train for their album release on Friday the 20th.
can i get an amen? Scott H. Biram!