SCRAP PILE
Trans-genre, ethereal, swamp rock and roots featuring the songs of Susie Davis and Robert Powell. This new ensemble of multi-instruentalists blends sounds and styles from the scrap pile of musical history into a unique approach to roots-based music. Scrap Pile's expansive sound includes pedal steel, Leon Russelesque piano, accordion, harmonica, dobro, banjo, electric guitar, back-alley percussion, sophisticated songwriting and three part harmonies. Co-creators include Carri Abrahms, Scoop McGuire, Bruce Kurnow and Michael Israel.

MUSICIANS

Susie Davis (piano, guitar, banjo, accordion, vocals)

As a backing musician, Susie has worked with some of the top names in the music world, touring and recording with Mick Jagger, Daryl Hall, Melissa, Etheridge, Pat Benatar, Van Morrison, Sinead O'connor, Billy Idol, Deborah Harry, Prince, Sheila E., Billy Idol, and others.

A long time resident of Marin, Susie worked as a disc-jockey for many years at KTIM-FM, KTIM-AM in San Rafael and KKCY (The CITY) in San Francisco. As the daughter of Disc Jockey Norman Davis (KSAN) (KTIM) she was exposed to a wide

range of music from an early age. Her songwriting reflects the many musical influences she has been exposed to over her lifetime. She currently runs the Alleycats Music School in Fairfax, offering innovative approaches to music education to children and adults. As well as performing with Scrap Pile, she also works with Those Darn Accordions, Rhythmtown Jive, and the Rubinoos. For more info visit Susiedavis.com.

Robert Powell (vocals, guitars, pedal-steel)
Robert's explorations of international music have led to projects with Ustad Salamat Ali Kahn, Sachiko, and Titos Sompa. Through his work with Amnesty International he has produced and recorded with many artists including Peter Gabriel, John Lee Hooker and Jackson Browne (Susie and Robert's first recording together). His debut solo album Desert Beach received excellent reviews for its innovative approach to Pedal Steel guitar. Guitar Player magazine said "Desert Beach is sheer magic, thanks to the guitarist's elegant resophonic and pedal steel shadings."

Robert has been a stalwart of the local music scene for years. A current member of the Venusians, his distinctive ambient soundscapes have also been featured in Clothesline Revival, Nathan Payne, and Shanna Morrison's Caledonia. For more info visit Robertpowellmusic.com.

Carri Abrahms (vocals and accordion)
Classically trained in piano, voice and dance, Carrie segued into musical theater and worked professionally for 10 years, simultaneously earning a degree in Russian studies and physics. She then ran away from the circus, worked as a dot-bomb project manager and performed on the side with the avant-lounge ensemble Rosin Coven. She has also toured with Dave Stringer, improvised with Michael Smolens' Mirabai Ensemble and sang with the SF Symphony and Philharmonia Baroque Choruses. She currently plays in Those Darn Accordions (with Miss Susie), performs in and musical directs various local theatre productions, and teaches privately.

Michael Israel (Drums)
Michael was born in New York City to a musical family. As a baby he would hum himself to sleep while tapping beats out on the sheets and pillow. After establishing himself as a first call session drummer on the East Coast, Michael joined with MTV darlings, A Flock of Seagulls. This led to work with a wide variety of musicians including Iggy Pop, The Murmurs, Joan Osborne, Billy Vera, Noel Redding, Shanacie Records All-Stars, Willi Jones, and Dorothy Scott. Moving to the Bay area in¹94, Michael has performed and recorded with the local artists the Lomaxes, The Mermen, Noelle Hampton, Ruby Rakes, Bonnie Hayes and Jim Campilongo.

Scoop McGuire (bass)
We've tried to keep this under the covers, but Scoop Mcguire and Susie Davis first played together in the Redwood High School Jazz Vocal ensemble band back in 19mmmsomething-or- other. Since then Scoop has toured and recorded with too many artists to mention and thats why we don't mention them, except for Shanna Morrison and Roy Rogers. He currently produces for different artists including Irish troubadour Bob Bradshaw.

Bruce Kurnow (harmonica)
Honorary band Member Bruce "Creeper" Kurnow is a multi-instrumentalist and vocalist who plays harmonica, keyboards and stringed harp. Originally from Minneapolis, he received four Minnesota Music Awards for his instrumental work. As a studio musician, Bruce has appeared on over 150 recordings and has 27 solo recordings to his credit. In the early 1970s, he toured the U.S. and Canada with the country-rock group Mason Proffit, playing 300 cities per year for 3 years. The group released 5 albums on Warner Brothers before disbanding. They reunited in September, 2003 and are back recording and touring. (www.masonproffit.com).

Music
MP3 samples coming soon...

Performances

Saturday July 10th @ Cafe Amsterdam
23 Broadway, Fairfax (415) 256 8020
Scrap Pile @ 9:30

WEDNESDAY, JULY 14 @ HOTEL UTAH
598 Bryant Street, San Francisco (415) 546-6300
Scrap Pile @ 10:30
Christie McCarthy @ 8:00
Kenon Chen @ 9:15

Gallery

all photos ©Dave Burns

Press

Press info coming soon...

Contact

Susie Davis

Robert Powell
PO Box 723,
San Rafael, CA 94915