SXSW 2007 Spotlight: Scott H. Biram

While most of the clubs at SXSW are situated on or around 6th Street, there are a few hidden gems, venues that require catching a cab to the neighborhoods in order to catch the performers. The Continental Club Lounge was one such place. This is where we closed our first night of SXSW, and it was totally worth the cab fare, as well as waiting around for another cab at the end of the night. This is where we caught local boy Scott H. Biram.

Scott H. Biram is a character. Or should I say he's a caricature? Either way, he's interesting, both in person, and on stage.

He's probably the toughest guy I've ever met. In 2003, he was hit head-on by an 18-wheeler at 75 MPH and still played a month later - in a wheelchair, with an I.V. dangling from his arm, two broken legs, a broken foot, a broken arm and a foot less of his lower intestine - and he still managed to tear the club apart.

The guy also exudes coolness, in a backwater sort of way. He's friendly and personable but you always are pretty sure you don't want to cross him. We met him backstage, where he was quite mellow and friendly. He chatted with us briefly and introduced us to his dad, who was there for the show and was just as personable.

When he took the stage, it was quite obvious from note one that he had taken ownership of the club, and wouldn't tolerate any lip. He seemed to channel a host of old blues musicians, honky-tonkers and punk rock legends all at the same time, and the crowd took notice. He played a set that was heavily charged and full of nervous energy, despite the fact that he remained seated the entire time, and while you were seeing this guy crank out these sounds with your own two eyes, you couldn't escape the feeling that you were simultaneously listening to them played on some old 78 records you found in your grandfather's attic - after his house had been possessed by an evil spirit.

Don't take my word for it. Check out Biram's myspace site for samples of his psychotic sound, and you'll know once and for all that not only am I exposing you to the best SXSW has to offer, I'm walking to hell and back to get it (or at least taking a cab to the Continental Club Lounge). And check him out on tour when he comes to your town (especially if you're in Portugal, which is where he's off to right now).

The spotlights will keep coming, so stay tuned for more, and a full recap of everything we've taken in, including such highlights as sipping Lone Star Beer ("The National Beer Of Texas") and singing along to Gary Glitter in a hole in the wall bar. (What can I say, but "When in Rome..."?)

Photo (c) Nicole Lucas