Chris Scott

Chris Scott hit the scene in the early 90’s as the front man for the cult phenomenon, Son of Slam. They found legions of loyal fans in cities throughout the South and the Midwest, but their fleet of faithful followers also included some heavy hitters from within the industry like Guns-n-Roses and Soundgarden. The band was rock in its purist form: loud, obtrusive, and furious. At the height of their popularity, Scott’s father passed away while out on tour. He was devastated by the loss, the anger and fear surrounding that experience led Scott to write the song Holes which became one of the biggest hits for the band along with Sick which charted on major radio throughout the country for up to six weeks off their 1994 independent release Trailer Parks, Politics & God.

Scott’s was infamous for his feral stage presence which was only upstaged by his offstage antics. Rumors abounded regarding the untamed singer’s life. There was debate of Satanism, vampirism and general debauchery. Tales spread far and wide of his wild and uncontrolled behavior, including a story where the singer once pulled a sawed off shotgun on Miles Copeland; the world famous manager of the Police and founder of I.R.S. Records (English Beat, Nuclear Assault, R.E.M., Go-Go's, The Fleshtones, Oingo Boingo, The Buzzcocks, The Alarm, Belinda Carlisle, Fine Young Cannibals, Black Sabbath). Scott was the first to add fuel to the fire with his late night carousing, drinking and drug use. But when asked point blank about the accusations, he is said to have just laughed a sinister laugh and walked away, neither confirming nor denying any of it. He became an enigma, a living legend and the music industry began to take notice.

The band eventually signed to Copeland’s I.R.S. Records in 1995 but just as major success seemed eminent, the label folded leaving the band back at square one. Instead of wallowing in the loss, or seeking out a different deal with another record label, Scott, dismembered the band and took a surprise turn, forming the Alt/Country/Rock band, The Mudflaps. With Chris Scott at the helm and Eric Lewis, Son of Slam’s notorious guitar slinger, at his side, the two once again quickly climbed to the crème de la crème of the Memphis’ music scene. The Mudflaps also drew attention from major industry peers and their regular Sunday night set at Murphy’s became legendary for a packed house and celebrity guest appearances.

In contrast to the violent sounds of Son of Slam, the Mudflaps was an escape for Scott to settle back into his southern roots, drawing from the blend of Country and Blues ancestry of his native Tate County Mississippi home. The band toyed with audiences on raucous hits like ‘Woke up Dead” where Scott feeds on the notorious reputation surrounding his previous band; “Woke up dead in a hotel room, fifteen thousand dollars can’t be spent…. I drink wine and whisky to cut the cocaine down”. More mainstream country with bluegrass influenced songs like “It Ain’t Heaven” dealt with the dangers of being on the road while maintaining a relationship back home. Bleeding songs that struggled with broken hearts, broken dreams and broken religion like “747,” “Tears are Gonna Fall” and “Me & Jesus” infiltrated audiences with their honest and sometimes painful reflections on real life. Once again, just as fame seemed like the next logical step for the band, the singer songwriter suffered another major tragedy.

While doing some construction work on a recording studio that he was in the process of opening, Scott fell from a ladder, shattering bones throughout his body and face. He was bedridden for almost six months and although doctors expected a recovery, they told him that he would never have the dexterity to play the guitar again. But Chris Scott is not one to just take defeat. Through years of rehabilitation and sheer perseverance, he slowly began to relearn the instrument that he loved so dearly until he was able to play as well or better than before.

Over the past few years, he has also been operating the Midtown Memphis “Yella Brick Studios”. Maintaining the same mystery that has always followed him, the studio is located in a modest yellow house, unmarked by signage of any kind. He has worked with bands that run the gamut of genre’s and fame. Southern Rock bands like Lucero have come to him for help with special projects like “City Mouse” and "Tell Me What It Takes" for the television show “One Tree Hill” while pop acts have come to him for help in adding an edge to their sound. Local up & comers are regular clients to the studio, as are bands that have come from as far as Canada to buy for time with the Memphis legend.

Although the recording studio is thriving, Chris Scott is not one to stay out of the public eye for long though and through a one off, last minute decision in June of 2007. He called up his old friend Eric Lewis and his old friends at Murphy’s and put the Mudflaps back on the stage again. Not surpris