Biography
Scott H. Biram, born in 1974 in Prairie Lea, Texas, is a genre-defying musician known for his raw blend of blues, outlaw country, punk, and Americana. Growing up between a pig farm and an oilfield, Biram absorbed the gritty realities of rural Texas, which would later infuse his music with authenticity and edge. He spent his early years in Prairie Lea before moving to San Marcos, a town whose rough-and-tumble spirit left a lasting mark on his songwriting and persona.[2]
Biram began his musical journey in the 1990s, playing in bluegrass bands and the punk outfit The Thangs. By 1994, he started experimenting with solo acoustic shows, eventually forging his signature 'dirty old one-man band' act after his last band dissolved in 2001. His performances are notorious for their intensity, combining blues, country, rock, gospel, and even metal influences, all delivered with a preacher’s fervor and a punk’s energy. After self-releasing three albums, Biram signed with Bloodshot Records in 2005, continuing to tour relentlessly and release acclaimed records such as 'Fever Dreams' and 'The One & Only Scott H. Biram.'[2][3][6]
Biram’s style is characterized by gritty vocals, stomping rhythms, and a DIY approach, often performing with a battered Gibson guitar and a custom stomp board. His music pays homage to blues legends like Lead Belly and Rev. Gary Davis, while also channeling the rebellious spirit of punk and outlaw country. Widely respected for his uncompromising artistry and electrifying live shows, Biram has carved out a unique legacy as a true original in American roots music.[2][3][5]
Fun Facts
- Biram is a legally ordained preacher, a fact that adds to the fire-and-brimstone energy of his live performances.[3]
- In 2003, just one month after surviving a head-on collision with an 18-wheeler, Biram performed a show while still recovering from serious injuries.[4]
- He is entirely self-taught on guitar and never took formal lessons, believing it helped him develop his unique style.[9]
- Biram is known for his custom stomp board and the use of battered, vintage Gibson guitars in his one-man band setup.[3]
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- Lead Belly - Major blues influence; Biram has covered Lead Belly’s songs and cites him as a foundational inspiration. (Cover of 'Easy Rider' (1944)) [Lifelong influence]
- Rev. Gary Davis - Influence on guitar style and song selection; Biram has covered Davis’s work and studied his unique chord progressions. (Cover of 'Death Has No Mercy' (1960)) [Lifelong influence]
- Billy Gibbons - Favorite living guitarist; inspiration for guitar tone and Texas blues style. (Influence on 'No Man’s Land') [Lifelong influence]
- Townes Van Zandt - Songwriting inspiration; Biram has expressed admiration for Van Zandt’s lyricism. (Aspired to co-write) [Lifelong influence]
Key Collaborators
- The Thangs - Punk band in which Biram played before his solo career. (Band performances (1990s)) [1990s]
- Various bluegrass bands - Early career bands that shaped his musical foundation. (Band performances (1990s)) [1990s]
Artists Influenced
- Emerging Americana and alt-country artists - Biram’s fusion of punk, blues, and country has inspired a new generation of roots musicians, particularly those in the southern gothic and outlaw country scenes. (Influence evident in contemporary Americana acts) [2000s–present]
Connection Network
Discography
Albums
| Title | Release Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
| The Dirty Old One Man Band | 2005-03-22 | Album |
| The Bad Testament | 2017-02-24 | Album |
| Nothin' But Blood (Bonus Track Version) | 2014-02-04 | Album |
| Something's Wrong/Lost Forever | 2009-05-19 | Album |
| Hell Or High Water (Original Soundtrack Album) | 2016 | Album |
| Graveyard Shift | 2006-07-18 | Album |
| Bad Ingredients | 2011-10-10 | Album |
| Fever Dreams | 2020-11-27 | Album |
| Lo-Fi Mojo | 2003-02-01 | Album |
| The One & Only Scott H. Biram | 2024-03-29 | Album |
| Preachin' and Hollerin' | 2002-01-01 | Album |
| Sold Out to the Devil: A Collection of Gospel Cuts by the Rev. Scott H. Biram | 2019-11-22 | Album |
| Rehabilitation Blues | 2003-07-01 | Album |
| This Is Kingsbury? | 2000-01-01 | Album |
| Fever Dreams | 2020-11-27 | Album |
Top Tracks
- Blood Sweat & Murder (The Dirty Old One Man Band)
- Still Around (The Bad Testament)
- Still Drunk, Still Crazy, Still Blue (Something's Wrong/Lost Forever)
- Jack Of Diamonds (Nothin' But Blood (Bonus Track Version))
- Swift Driftin' (The Bad Testament)
- Plow You Under (Graveyard Shift)
- Can't Stay Long (Fever Dreams)
- Wreck My Car (Lo-Fi Mojo)
- Slow & Easy (Nothin' But Blood (Bonus Track Version))
- Righteous Ways (The Bad Testament)
External Links
References
Heard on WWOZ
scott h biram has been played 1 time on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.
| Date | Time | Title | Show | Spotify |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 17, 2025 | 20:10 | Graveyard Shift | Music of Mass Distractionw/ Black Mold |