SCOTT BURTON
BASS GUITAR, BANJO, ENGINEER
Scott's earliest musical memory is banging a tambourine at age 4 to his parents tragically un-hip music while barricaded inside a record-sleeve constructed wall of his own design. First cathartic musical experience was listening to "Walk Away" by the James Gang. First purchased album was "James Gang Rides Again", followed by The Beatles "White Album", and "Who's Next". Scott played in his first band (on drums) at age of 12, where he was the only one in the band under the drinking age. Although obsessed with all things percussive, he picked up guitar and learned how to improvise single note leads on an old nylon string classical to songs like the Abros "High Falls". The world changed upon hearing The Mothers "We're Only In It for the Money." While "Freak Out" was an important listen, it was the third Mothers album that had the most impact. The interesting juxtaposition of free-form improv, underlying structure, studio as an instrument, album as song, and humor had a profound impact. Around this time he played with a nucleus of similar-minded musicians, and a constantly rotating group of guest musicians, who would converge in the "opium den" (Scott and floutist roomate's pad/makeshift studio) on Saturday nights, usually starting at midnight. These sessions were total free-form, merry prankster-type affairs, where first-thought/best-thought ruled and all was recorded to tape. The extended version of "Way Too Long" was an often repeated and constantly evolving favorite. During these sessions, Scott initially manned the guitar but it was here where he first started playing bass, which to him turned out to be the perfect blend of melody, percussion and low-end balls. He never did learn to play the bass the way you are supposed to and he never tried either. The many years of single-note soloing, power-chording on guitar combined with a percussive bent came to define his approach.
