Beginning in the 1990s as the bassist for surf-rockers Impala, Scott Bomar has been at the forefront of Memphis music for more than a decade. The versatile musician, engineer, and producer has done extensive movie soundtrack work, bringing slinky soul-inspired sounds to such films as Craig Brewer’s 2005 breakout hit Hustle and Flow, the blues infused followup Black Snake Moan, Giancarlo Espositio’s directorial debut Gospel Hill, and the upcoming John Michael McCarthy exploitation epic Cigarette Girl. Bomar’s band the Bo-Keys doesn’t just ape the classic Memphis sounds of the 60s and 70s, members such as “Theme from Shaft” guitarist Charles “Skip” Pitts and Bar-Kays founder Ben Cauley are carrying on in the vein they started.
Bomar says he drew inspiration and advice from legendary producer Willie Mitchell when opening his own Eletraphonic Recording studio in Memphis’ burgeoning South Main Arts district. During the studio’s short existence, Bomar has recorded artists ranging from rap legend Al Kapone to punk sensation Jay Reatard, using a mix of digital and analog equipment to bring the Memphis sound into the twenty-first century.
It’s the center of the Midtown music universe. The Hi-Tone, across the street from Overton Park, is said to be in the same building that once housed the karate studio where Elvis studied with Master Kang Rhee. Of course, it’s one of several buildings to make that claim, but one thing’s for sure: it’s the best rock club in the city. It has played host to international acts such as Elvis Costello, who recorded a DVD there, and the Oblivians reunion show. It’s the site of the annual climax of Gonerfest, Harlan T. Bobo’s epic psychedelic Christmas shows, and countless awesome acts that appear every night of the week.
CREDITS
special thanks to
Jonathan Kiersky
Andrew McCalla
Mark Akin
John Bonds
Jack Yarber
Bennett Foster
Leila Hamdan
P. Adam Woddard
Greg Faison
Benjamin Daures
Steven J. Naczycz
Terrance Brown
Daniel J. Russo
cora Pitt
Joel A. Gradinger
Robin Pack
Holly Cole
and Packy
music
“Mouth Shut”
performed by the Subteens
They’re rich. Really, really rich. Demandingly, murderously rich. Jay Z? A piker. Bill Gates? A peasant. Lord T. and Eloise? Rich and getting richer. Fred Smith? He may think he has some scratch, but these Memphis rappers are actually gold-plated.
Funky to the bone and owners of all they survey, Lord T. and Eloise’s 2008 album Chairmen of the Bored document their jet-setting lifestyle from “The Yacht” to “Palm Beach” to “Kinky” love afairs with “Hollywood Stars.” Is it an act? Is that just gold makeup? No, they’re really that rich. In a world where nouveau-rich rappers are a 50 cents a dozen, these guys are the real thing: So old school, they’re actually blue bloods. Not just crunk—aristo-crunk.
CREDITS
special thanks to
Lord T.
Eloise
Myster E.
DJ Witness
Kaz
Bryan Vaux
Christina Hamilton
Abbie Young
Jason Turner
Newby’s
music
“Gettin’ Richer” and “Hot”
performed by Lord T. & Eloise
