Remembering Scott Wannberg 1953-2011

photo by Mark Savage

Electric.
There are many words i would use to describe Scott Wannberg, but the one that i keep coming back to is Electric.  He was a poetic Tesla Coil..he transmitted word energy.. when he came into a room.. you KNEW he was there.. when he took a mic into his hand.. your attention was commanded ..when he did the wiggly dance .. all the hippies swooned.  When I was hosting poetry readings in 1993.. i became familliar with the Carma Bums and invited them to appear at Jam's Coffee House...right away when I met Scott we got along because we are both Deadheads..so we had that Jerry Garcia bond of life that Deadheads have.. and we were instant brothers.   I had the pleasure of seeing Scott read numerous times and the honor of inviting and having him appear with Instagon .. twice!  At the news of Scott's passing this past weekend, we decided that it would be the honorable thing to do to post these shows up to share them with those that are also feeling this horrible loss.. and also to share with those that may not have had the opportunity to experience the great mountain of a man that was as warm as sun-rays and as kind as music in the morning dew. Both of these shows are now posted and available for free streaming and downloading, just click the links below.


Session 194
June 6, 1999, Club Mesa, Costa Mesa, Ca
THEE WORD THING featuring Scott Wannberg & Raindog w/ Instagon
http://www.archive.org/details/instagon1999-06-09.flac16

Thee Word Thing started in 1993 at Jam's Coffee House in Huntington Beach,CA. it continued on thru various changes and locations to become one of the longest running poetry series in Orange County history.  In 1999, Thee Word Thing was happening on Wednesday nights at a great bar in Costa Mesa, CA called CLUB MESA.   We had a great stage, awesome sound, a beautiful bartender, and a great place for fun and poetry.   On a night in early June of 1999 the featured poets scheduled to appear were SCOTT WANNBERG of the Carma Bums, & Raindog from Lummox Press. .with music provided by INSTAGON.

The reading begain with Raindog doing a long reading first.. then a short break while we set up musical instruments on the stage.. Raindog also brought a Yamaha Electronic Saxophone that he had played with Instagon previously.   Scott read next and Raindog accompanied him with the electronic sax..  Scott read 2 of his poems  "Scarecrow" (for Matthew Sheppard), "No Mercy"...and then slowly as they continued on together..the rest of the Instagon band players appeared on stage behind him.. and then we were off together.. like Peter Pan on the wind.. nothing to hold us back.  Instagon slowly crept into the stage and presented the Deamon Crawl.. and Scott dropped words about the monkey's in the brain of the president...and the "Crawl of The Monkeys In the Presidents Brain" was born..
This track appeared later that year on the Instagon "SPACE 1999" CD release...but that is not where this adventure ends.. Scott also goes on to drop something involving Radioactivity in the Lunchboxes of the Poor during a great version of "Forward".   and then lays down lyrics, Ginsberg style, over "Orgone Collector" about how Strom Thurman Came Thru his Chimney last night!    ALL of these recordings are seriously classic Wannberg..true word slinger, slinging words and not holding any verbs or punches at all. ..The evening closes out with a slow moving rendition of a Pink Floyd riff "One of These Days", and an improvisational excursion called Heavy Mental (only time played) Band players included Lob, Brian Comerford (guitar), Cary Pealer (percussion), Brett Rubin (drums), & R.D.Armstrong (electronic sax)
 

Session # 256
March 21, 2011
Club Mesa, Costa Mesa,CA
http://www.archive.org/details/instagon2001-03-21.flac16

Still going strong in 2011, Thee Word Thing invited Scott Wannberg & Raindog back for a second round of poetry and musical interaction. This time around however, no recordings of the poetry readings were made, and the band's set was not mixed very well and the vocals sorta are lost in the music...they ARE there. But for sure, there is no mistaking the voice of Scott Wannberg has he pierces thru the evening's chaos and groove searching with words and hidden political agenda. This show, poetry wise, is not as strong as the 1999 show., but the music is pretty strong and so we wanted to share it anyways. This session features the first time Instagon attempts to play Hendrix's Manic Depression.  As well as the only appearance by local OC musician George Fryer, who created a new riff for the night we called "Red Spokes".  Also included in this session Lob & Cary Pealer. Click the Link above to reach hear/download  this show.