Biscuit Miller And The Mix
Indianapolis, Indiana, United States | INDIE
Music
Press
If you have seen Lonnie Brooks or Anthony Gomes perform in concert, surely you remember their wild and perpetually smiling bass man. Dave Miller (entrepreneur and recording artist) lives in Highland, Indiana. He was affectionately christened "Biscuit" by his Grandmother after he devoured a whole pan of home-baked biscuits. Willie Dixon and Lucky Peterson inspired Biscuit to play the blues. Rufus Thomas encouraged him to sedriouly persue a professional career as a bass player.
In addition to the members of Miller's band. The Mix, 21 guests were used on this CD. However, a congruent flow is maintained, which commendably misleads the listener to conclude the songs were recorded by one single band. Come Together is one of the most overlooked CD's of the decade. The record is an illuminant collection of Chicago's present-day blues artists - with Biscuit leading the pack. The title track is loaded with his bounding energy and funk. The song describes the sad state of being judged about things such as color, race, creed, possessions, etc. that divide us. The message here, love and happiness, is simple to say and difficult to execute. The danceable "Build Me Up," about being wound up by the woman you love, makes you feel good. It's a funk-rock ditty as only Biscuit and Gomes can produce. You'll feel like you can't stop moving to the progressive electric blues on "Let's go Fishing", Here, Billy Bran's churning harp is as witty as the lyrics while the playful battering between Biscuit and sultry, R&B kitten Nellie Travis is priceless. With the help of renowned guitarists Lonnie Brooks and Ronnie Baker Brooks, "Pretty Leg Woman" sounds as fine as a great pair of legs look. Carl Weathersby's unforgettable stinging guitar is heard on "Wipe Your Tears".
When you are a bass player, you usually take a backseat and rely on other band members to excel on their instruments. There is no denying that Biscuit's guest mates are impressive, but they needed a masterful conductor. They had it in the form of Miller, who enthusiastically pulled everything together into a single ensemble. Biscuit Miller is loaded with persona and charisma. Both exude on this 13-song CD. One listen to this harmonious disc and you'll be asking where this guy has been. It is an independent release that should be on a major label. - Tim Holek
Discography
Biscuit co-wrote "Testify" from the album "Live" Which has reached Billboard's number one album on the Blues charts 2008.
CD - "Come Together" Biscuit Miller & the Mix 2002
on cdbaby.com
Photos
Bio
Dave "Biscuit" Miller was born on the south side of Chicago and raised by his Grandmother where he was given his childhood nickname, Biscuit, after always being in the kitchen and under her foot while she was trying to cook, ready to eat up all the homemade biscuits. Growing up at Grandma's house also gave Bisquit his love and appreciation for music, as gospel and soul were played in the home on a reqular basis.
While visiting his friend Datrick's house one afternoon, Biscuit spotted a four string electric bass sitting in a corner collecting dust and decided to check it out. The Bass belonged to Datrick's older brother, Darnell, who taught him a couple of songs and Biscuit took it like a fish in water. "It was easy to play and I fell in love with it immediately". So at the tender age of eleven years old, biscuit Miller was born into the "Blues".
It did'nt take long till he formed his first band, Clever, with Ivan Wallace, his childhood friend and they moved to Minneapolis in 1982. Soon after, a mutual friend, Joe Rowe introduced Biscuit to Sonny Rogers who taught him a lot about playing basic blues. During his time with Rogers, they recorded "They Call Me the Cat Daddy", which won Rogers a Handy Award for Best New Artist. Unfortunately, Sonny passed away before he was able to accept the award. Biscuit then went on to play with other respected blues artists such as, Mojo Buford (formerly with Muddy Waters) and Lady Blue (backup vocalist for Ike and Tina Turner). One Day, Biscuit received a phone call requesting him to come back home to sub for Chicago's own legendary Lonnie Brooks who needed a bass player for one night. That one night lasted for over ten years as Biscuit became the permanent bass player for the Lonnie Brooks Band. "The years I spent with Lonnie were invaluable to me as a musician. I Learned so much about the music business and being on the road - we played some incredible gigs such as the President Clinton's inauguration and I met and performed with many of my own idols while traveling with Lonnie and the band. During the winter months, we didn't tour as much, so I spent time sitting in with various musicians and in 2000, I formed Biscuit and the Mix to fill up some of the down-time." During this time, he recorded a CD "Come Together".
One of the bands Biscuit frequently sat in with was the up and coming Anthony Gomes Band. During one of those sessions, he was asked to join the band full time and he decided to take Anthony up on his offer.
During the nearly five years with Anthony Gomes Band, they released five CD's - Unity, Sweet String and Soul, Long Way Home, Music is the Medicine, and the latest, Live at the Triple Door. A heavy touring schedule of over 250 gigs a year in the US and abroad, led to a dedicated fan base, not ony for the AG Band, but also for Biscuit's fun and funky style of bass playing and his great rapport with his many fans and friends around the world.
Now living in Indianapolis, Indiana, Biscuit was encouraged once again, to attempt his dream of artistic independence and fronting his own band. The decision was made to revisit an old recipe from the past, stir up a brand new flavor mix of funk, blues and old style rock-n-roll soul.
Biscuit Miller and The Mix are once again on the road and ready to bring a smorgasbord of fun to your party. What's better than a bowlful of Soulful, Funky Blues stew? A pipin' hot Biscuit, of course!
"GUARANTEED TO SATISFY YOUR CRAVINGS FOR A GREAT TIME"
* "Bounding energy & funk....loaded with charisma" - South West Blues Magazine
* "A well packaged release that rivals anything a major label would be proud to release, put on your dance shoes and fire this one up!" - Fender Frontline
* "Entertainer of the year 2000 & 2001" - Midwest Beat Magazines
* "One of the most fun nights I've ever had was seeing Biscuit & the Mix at B.L.U.E.S. in Chicago. Not only is David "Biscuit" Miller a great bass player, he's also a great---and gregarious----band leader." - Bonnie "Queen B" Stebbins
www.myspace.com/biscuitmiller
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