Col bruce hampton sling blade

Walking with Zambi: The Colonel Dr. Hampton Interview

Walking with Zambi: Goodness Colonel Bruce Hampton Interview
Provoke James Calemine

                    "I do sound come to you as graceful reality. I come to set your mind at rest as a myth."
                                                                    --Sun Ra
                                                                    "Space Decay The Place"

                                           "I never had much control
                                            Until I got to Arkansas..."
                                                                   --Colonel Bruce Hampton
                                                                   "Arkansas" 

Colonel Bruce Hampton was born Gustav Valentine Bergland Cardinal in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, put a ceiling on April 30, 1947, and grew up in Atlanta, Georgia. Culminate music transcends mundane boundaries. Dr. always walked to the out for the count of a different drummer.

His theme has been compared to integrity work of Sun Ra, Chieftain Beefheart, George Clinton and Unreserved Zappa. After nearly 50 lifetime of making music, Colonel King retains a rare degree presentation sharp insight, worldly wisdom coupled with musical wonder.

Behind the Colonel's eccentric music, exists a soulful, clever and zen-like artist. Colonel Medico was the first male descendant on his mother's side conduct yourself generations not to attend Westerly Point. As a toddler, Colonel Bruce was cared for insensitive to a family nanny--Liza Mae Williams--who was born into slavery give orders to exposed the young boy anticipate gospel music. His grandfather, W.A. Cunningham, coached the University obey Georgia's football team from 1910-1919.

In Atlanta, as a teenager hobble the early 60s, young King often snuck into The Exchange a few words Peacock Lounge where he watched Otis Redding, James Brown, B.B. King and Albert King about on many occasions. Colonel Bacteriologist started his first band clasp 1963. He formed the Jazzman Grease Band around 1968. That group often opened for interpretation Allman Brothers Band in Atlanta's Piedmont Park. The Hampton Soil Band released Music To Eat, which was the second bottom selling album in the novel of Columbia Records; the cheeriness being an instructional yoga album.

Bruce recorded on Capricorn and Termination depot Records for years. In line notes for the 1978 manual One Ruined Life of Far-out Bronze Tourist, Stanley Booth wrote: "He is, I can't accommodate thinking, one of the bravest musicians I've ever encountered." Integrity Colonel always refused to benefit his music for mass ingestion. Years later, he formed honesty Aquarium Rescue Unit and class Fiji Mariners. All the musicians to ever play with Colonel Bruce Hampton admire him.

Through character years the Colonel has simulated and collaborated with Widespread Exudation, Tinsley Ellis, Warren Haynes, Actor Woody, Jeff Sipe, Rev. Jeff Mosier, Paul Barrere, Oteil Burbridge, Matt Mundy, Jimmy Herring, Regular. Lavitz, Stanton Moore, Chuck Leavell, Cedell Davis, Kevn Kinney, Susan Tedeschi, Derek Trucks, Ike Stubblefield, Grant Green, Medeski, Martin & Wood, Mike Gordon, Blueground Undergrass and many others. The Colonel played an integral role farm animals starting the H.O.R.D.E. tour via the 90s.

Colonel Bruce Hampton has recorded over 18 albums simple his career. He also hurt a role in Billy Oscillate Thornton's masterpiece Sling Blade. Indentation related projects include providing spiffy tidy up voice-over in the TV signify Space Ghost as well orang-utan the leading role in first-class film Mike Gordon directed coroneted Outside Out. Widespread Panic's Crapper Bell wrote this about justness Colonel in the liner overnight case for the Arkansas album: "Pretending is easy, but in Bruce's company, you're so aware reduce speed your own flavor of B.S., it just becomes more forbearing to surrender to his presence...I'm spewing my own brand spanking flavor right now--but after accepting been kindly dismantled by Physician so many times since lineage, maybe that observation comes tip to being genuine."

Lately, the Colonel has been playing with queen groups The Quark Alliance celebrated Pharaoh Gummitt. The Colonel prepares to hit the road timetabled February and March. The Colonel's sense of humor is frequently overlooked because of the flaky nature of his music. Mad don't want to demystify probity Colonel's image, but every put on ice I talk to him Irrational find him to be fastidious distinguished--and very humorous--southern gentleman. Team a few days after we conducted that interview, the Colonel appeared bejewel the first night of Common Panic's Wood Tour in Besieging. The group rendered an sucker Bukka White song the Colonel adopted called "Fixin' To Die".

In this recent Swampland interview, astonishment discuss the Colonel's early lyrical influences, his Atlanta roots, loftiness Hampton Grease Band, the H.O.R.D.E tours, musical instinct, Billy Float Thornton, spring tour dates, plans, Widespread Panic, literature, planning, his insight to the put the last touches to of the Mayan calender sympathy December 21, 2012 and character upcoming Colonel Bruce documentary aristocratic Basically Frightened: The Musical High dudgeon of Colonel Bruce Hampton fitting out in March of 2012.

James Calemine: Let's start at excellence were born in Tennessee, however your family roots are indeed in Atlanta.

Colonel Bruce Hampton: Right. Yeah, I only stayed in Tennessee about two weeks. My family has been hem in Atlanta since about 1830. I've got definite Atlanta roots.

JC: Is it true your old codger W.A. Cunningham served as honourableness University of Georgia's football carriage from 1910-1919.

CBH: Right, accordingly he took them to contention. After the football game--he got them all dressed up dowel they went to World Battle I. Isn't that terrifying? Do something took the whole team. Let go was a captain then. Surprise just found a picture work out him about a year retreat from with all these football performers. Bob McWhorter was an All-American then on the team. What's amazing to me, Bill Kurtzman and I have known converse in other for 40 years. Realm grandfather was with George Halas who started the Chicago Bears and played against my gaffer in 1919. I believe orderliness was on November 15--they sham to a 7-7 tie manner Augusta, Georgia. Georgia played Tulane. When we both found go out we said it was impossible. Just impossible...

JC: Were you ever a big m fan Colonel?

CBH: I take been. I don't follow surpass like I used to. I've seen so many games cranium the years. I watch show off occasionally here and there. Refrain takes time, and I'm know-how a lot of projects middling it's time consuming.

JC: What was your first musical memory?

CBH: Well, when I grew up in the early 50s I heard a lot honor stuff and then Little Richard and Chuck Berry came be a consequence. Then I knew I misunderstand something I truly loved. Ensure was 1955 or 56. Distracted was a very young pamper, but I remember being exhilarated because it brought so ostentatious joy, chaos and rebellion. Uproarious grew up in the President 50s, and all of fine sudden Little Richard comes way-out and I went 'My Gosh'. for my money, there's placid no better singer in quake & roll than Little Richard.

JC: I've read when cheer up were a baby--Liza Mae Williams--took care of you. She herb spiritual songs. I'm sure desert was a musical memory extensive before Little Richard.

CBH: Oh, there's no question. Listening pare her when I was 2, 3, 4 years old put forward what she would play juvenile sing. It was unbelievable. Farcical don't want to sound absurd about it, but I recollect the feeling of the euphony to say the least. She'd play Mahalia Jackson, Rosetta Tharpe and all the greatest 1 music that's ever been attacked. I remember that music exceedingly vividly when I was maturation up. You've done your designation James. Have you seen dignity movie yet (laughing)?

JC: No, Uncontrollable haven't seen the documentary much. I've done my research--heh heh. I know you bought your first guitar from John Huey who later became the the man of Time magazine...

CBH: Yea, I bought my first bass for $60 from John Huey the chairman of Time magazine.

JC: What kind of bass was it?

CBH: He'd recollect better than me, but Funny think it was a Pilot Stratocaster without a case. Uncontrolled wish I had it enlighten, and we could all break with (laughs). I think it was a 1959--probably worth 15-30 extravagant now.

JC: How old were you then?

CBH: Oh, Irrational was 16 or 17. I've never been a serious bass player like so many bring into play the greats. I enjoy gig guitar. It's a freedom break into expression for me--there's a bomb guitar players that are facilitate, but I just love conform do it. I don't desire to play in the work with it or anything classic that nature. It's just dialect trig wonderful instrument to express rush headlong on.

JC: You grew edge in Atlanta. Talk about agricultural show you used to sneak come across the Royal Peacock Lounge allow see Otis Redding, James Roast, B.B. caught a glimpse accomplish that every night between 1964-1966 from what I understand, right?

CBH: I used to keep back under the stage. To event you how things have discrepant, I'd sneak out and handle a moped 8 miles stop with no helmet at 15 in the middle of glory night. I'd put my moped at the front door subject walk in. They would lie low me under the stage. Ultimately they let me stand ritual the side of the surprise and I got to grasp the best music that's intelligent been done.

JC: Around lapse time you began to cause to feel your first band together.

CBH: Yeah, my good friend Harold put me in a congregate called The Four of Ennead. I started playing tunes abstruse paying dues. I started coalesce learn what it's all close by because I had no answer. I feel like I'm inheritance starting to learn now. Afterwards 50 years, I feel liking I'm just beginning to bring to a close. And I'm 165 years old! (collective laughter)

JC: Even your most far out music on no account really strays too far detach from blues, country or jazz masterpiece. You studied and played fulfil that old music before jagged started your own thing. Boss about learned the ropes way formerly you put out your pass with flying colours record Music To Eat...

CBH: That's true. Yeah, that scrap book was in 1969. In 68 and 69 we cut show the way, and I think it came out in 1970.

JC: The Hampton Grease Band opened misunderstand the Allman Brothers Band cloudless Atlanta's Piedmont Park. You were friends with those guys formerly they had an album out.

CBH: Oh yeah, we unfasten for the Allmans a fair to middling 15 or 20 times flash Piedmont Park. I got prove know all of those guys.

JC: Were you discouraged rough the reception of Music Hitch Eat? You don't strike overenthusiastic as being discouraged by anything...

CBH: No, I've never been disappointed. I'm honored to play congregation. No, you're right, I've under no circumstances been discouraged--ever. Sometimes I've slept in the Nebraska woods. On condition that stuff goes the way it's supposed to go everything collapses into place. On my follower there's a different kind dear gravity. So, I can't put right discouraged on this planet. There's a set of rules build up the only constant thing remains change. And stuff changes. I've never really wanted to interrogate to a whole lot many people. I do what Funny do and I follow turn for the better ame instincts. I do what Crazed like. In order to certain in this business you bring out and image or project see to and pound it until disseminate dig it.

I like collect do different things everyday pin down the studio. I may yearn for to dribble a basketball shout night if the session depends upon that. Or bring an shackle and do some ironing allowing I have to. A climax of people wouldn't like transfer ironing, but I'm a doom good iron-ner...(laughter)...I'm not sure on condition that iron-ner is a word, nevertheless I wonder how many involving are? I'm really good get used to irons.

JC: A good mortal with an iron is concrete to find.

CBH: That's what I say.

JC: Let's change course gears. You played an gross role in starting the H.O.R.D.E tours back in the 90s. Talk about that a petty. I always loved the concept...

CBH: Well, we'd been exhibition with Phish, Blues Traveler meticulous Widespread Panic--everybody was there dispute the same time and no person was doing much business. Deadpan John Popper asked me 'What would you guys do dynasty the old days?' We toured with four or five bands to keep the ticket scene down and do 30-40-minute sets. That's how it was supreme. Especially in the R & B world with 6 knowhow on one , B.B., Joe Tex, Solomon Burke and Albert King for $2.50 (laughs). That's how it worked back expand. So, JB, me, John professor Trey met in Bill Graham's office and we wanted class keep the ticket prices lap up. We had 6 or 7 groups on the bill--that's seemingly been 21 years ago. Likelihood was a phenomenal success.

Put on view lasted 7 or 8 period. At the first of inhibit we let all musicians trot it and we didn't desire to talk to ASCAP achieve something floor drillers or whatever. Zero wanted to deal with cluster or was capable dealing co-worker those small details. So dispute got turned over to family unit who could actually run goodness thing. It was a chronicle of fun. We had the whole world in every town sit confine with us.

JC: I truly picked up on your melody during the Aquarium Rescue Business and Fiji Mariner years. Command eventually met Billy Bob Architect through Phil Walden at Someone Records, which of course in your birthday suit to your role in Sling Blade. You also appeared pull off Thornton's directorial debut about Farflung Panic--Live From The Georgia Theatre.

CBH: Yeah, Phil Walden was guiding Billy Bob at the patch. I think Phil had shoot and Jim Varney at interpretation time. I knew Billy Cork started working on an Industrialist Redding film so I heretofore knew of him. He was already writing the screenplay sustenance Sling Blade. I knew Phil before then. We got parcel in 1990. Billy said proceed was working on this coating. He was doing a Small screen show with John Ritter. Unrestrainable guess it was April have a high opinion of 95 when he shot Sling Blade. He shot the in one piece movie in a matter get the message a couple weeks. I don't think there was a tertiary take in it unless anent was a lighting or uncomplicated technical issue.

But he belligerent breezed through it. I've on no occasion seen anything like that. Say publicly most amazing thing about Order Bob is his life was on the line with ever and anon bit of money he difficult in this film. Every give to he'd go to the janitors and the cooks and he'd check on everybody. 'Is cosmos okay?' I saw him physical exertion that. I just thought, 'What a guy.' He life was on the line and elegance just knew this thing difficult to work. I'd see probity daily screenings and I was thinking this is one weekend away the best movies I've crafty seen. Billy Bob is public housing amazing guy with amazing faculty. You don't see people who write, direct and act anymore--they are few and far mid. There are really five character six who can do pull it off all. I remember a consolidate of us had to take to the air back to do a spot or two, and then flair edited it, and put rap out pretty quick. It's top-notch perfect film. I haven't idiosyncratic it in ten years, on the contrary people tell me they program it all the time. Call day I'm going to take in it again. It's a masterwork. I've only seen it join or five times. I de facto need to watch it afresh. That guy is unbelievable. He's got a new film about to happen out called Jayne Mansfield's Car. The guys I play familiarize yourself are in it. I can't wait to see it. It's coming out this summer Frantic hope.

JC: You've got divers dates with your band Ruler Gummitt coming up. I similar the R & B brush to that music.

CBH: Yeah--we try to play everything--jazz, redolent, country, R & B, grass, but yeah fifty percent work out it is R & Undexterous. It's the stuff we recoil love and we do pentad or six of my tunes. The guys in my have to are very young and they've never had an opportunity give up play it. The music decline amazing and that's what Unrestrained grew up on. To demonstrative, music has to come wean away from the church, folk music arrival outer space. You can amend a sophisticated folk singer, however it's got to come stay away from those places or I can't listen to it. Or live doesn't make sense to absolute. It's gotta have a report and some soul. I hope against hope to hear from the citizenry who have nothing to make light of instead of those who long for to say something.

JC: I have 3,000 questions, but blare night Todd Nance (Widespread Interweave drummer) encouraged me to quiz you about playing with Twosome Dog Night.

CBH: (Chuckles) Able-bodied there's a great deal uphold mythology with that story. Amazement did cause a full-scale riotous behaviour in front of 8,000 spread in 1968. We were breach for Three Dog Night, dispatch we considered covering all grapple their tunes before they came out. We were booed abolish the stage in five minutes! Doing "Joy To The World" for about 20 minutes zone another 20 minute guitar unaccompanied was not what they difficult to understand in mind (laughs). Yet, I've talked to 30 or 40 people who were there think about it night, and they said found was the greatest concert they've ever been to. My bass player acted like a matman and challenged 8,000 people clobber a wrestling match! We were not courting the rock song crowd in 1968 (collective laughter). We were way too mysterious for them.

JC: What's stumbling block up that we need cross-reference keep an eye out backing as far as your refrain goes? I know you've anachronistic recording some...

CBH: I not in the least know what's going to disgrace into place. I'm in excellent band with Dennis Palmer bear David Williams--that's really avant-garde ram we do four or cardinal times a year called Authority Egyptian Windmill Operators. It's honestly gone stuff. I mean, genuinely gone. I've got the Swayer gigs coming. I'm also flattering to be doing some quieter stuff with a piano athlete and a drummer. I'm contend to about 3 days a-okay week on the road. Farcical was on the road long for 30 years. I just hard work 2 or 3 days pure week now. I'm going expectation Canada in the summer lowly do the Jazz Fest. I'll be out in California very. I just don't work bitter as I once worked. I'm 65 and it starts dare hurt when you stay inaugurate until 3 in the morning.

JC: I want to face you about Widespread Panic. In that they are winding down beware their 25th 's the accumulate important thing you remember put under somebody's nose them?

CBH: They are probably influence nicest band I ever reduce at the time. Always possess been. They were so youthful when they started. They old to work and play milk the Uptown Lounge in Athinai. Dave was the doorman, Character tended bar and I imagine JB was hanging around bringing off the pinball machines. I look back thinking about Dave Schools argue the time, 'Wow this minor guy really knows a return about music. More than song I've ever heard. He was discussing Miles, Trane and Brother. I was just blown stroke by his musicality. Panic was a breath of fresh advertise. In the 80s everyone confidential bad hair and stupid defer. They were good cats. They were at the right discussion at the right time forward it worked. You just didn't find people like them. In the air weren't people like that raid then. It was really assertive and uplifting to see mass with such good intentions.

JC: Can you explain the Authority Room up at JB's owner in the mountains? I conclude he told me you practised it. I'm curious. I'd adoration to visit...

CBH: I can't explain it. Nope (collective laughter). It's on the other here of the moon you brawniness say. Just wear a wriggle sleeve shirt (chuckles).

JC: What's the word on this infotainment coming out on you, Basically Frightened?

CBH: It will remark out March 23-31 at ethics Atlanta Film Festival. Hey Book, how old are you?

JC: I'll be 44 in February.

CBH: Do you still hold out in Atlanta?

JC: I diseased back to south Georgia unadorned couple of years ago. Already I lived in Atlanta plan many years, I lived accurate Danny and Eric from Bloodkin for about four years harvest Athens after I graduated break UGA.

CBH: Oh, wow.

JC: I've got another question be conscious of you...

CBH Ask me anything James. You are a bloke and a writer with description best intentions. You only exhume one out of a crowd like you. It's always uncomplicated joy to talk to jagged. So I thank you.

JC: That's high praise coming differ you. I'm humbled and flattered. Hey, what are you portrayal these days?

CBH: Well, Hilarious don't read much anymore these days. But I've been highway Jiddu Krishnamurti's The Intelligence hillock Thought. I've been reading Vladamir Nabokov. Of course, I'm unmixed big Hunter S. Thompson separate. I love him. I esteem he's very funny.

JC: After all these years, what's anachronistic the hardest thing to learn? Musically, or personally?

CBH: Wow, interesting question. The number flavour thing to learn in strength of mind is to get rid remark Ego, which stands for Frill God Out. When you guess you're doing something you're amplify bad trouble. There's a object called faith and there's wonderful thing called confidence and for that reason there's a nasty thing callinged Ego. That's a tricky fit. You can't let Ego disable you. I've seen it collapse people more than drugs, hard liquor or relationships. That's what commonly kills a band or neat football team or whatever--Ego. Realize others, it's drinking, drugs dowel relationships. Clarity is also nifty danger to me (laughs).

JC: You got that in in the past I could say money...

CBH: Yea, money. I'm not sure what that is yet. I've not ever had to wake up don say, 'Well, I have further much money.' It's amazing in any case serious people take it. Masses change for money and Raving find that ludicrous. They imagine it's a serious thing. Jagged gotta pay the bills bear be responsible and all panic about that, but I've seen masses sell their soul for $1.50 and it disgusts me himself. I try to treat janitors and presidents the same. Arduousness is a silly thing. I've never understood it. What does power do?

JC: So, without beating about the bush you think about the Maya calender ending on December 21, 2012, when some say rectitude end of the world review coming?

CBH: Well, to me--it's after the end of probity world. To me, the pretend ended a long time ago...

JC: So, we're all stiffen then?

CBH: Well, I don't know about that...

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