Steven Wold, more commonly known as Seasick Steve, is an American bluesman. He plays guitars (most personalised), and sings.
Seasick Steve | |
|---|---|
 Seasick Steve | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Oakland, California |
| Years active | Unknown–Present |
| Website | http://www.seasicksteve.com |
History
His parents split up when he was four years of age. He left home at 14, and spent many years living as a hobo in the States. He used to travel long distances by hopping freights. He now lives in Oslo, Norway. Before becoming a professional blues musician he had dozens of jobs, including being a carnie, cowboy and a migrant worker. He has been well received in the U.K, being championed by DJs Charlie Gillett and Andy Kershaw, and playing at such festivals as The Big Chill and the Tartanheart Festival. He also performed on Jools Holland's annual Hootenanny show on New Year's Eve 2006 where he stunned the crowd with his unusual style.
Instruments
Seasick Steve plays guitar, and foot percussion. He owns a few obscure instruments along these lines:
- The Three Stringed Trance Wonder
- This is a standard guitar, but with only the A string, G string and B string in place. It also has a third pickup added (with duck tape) and is often played with all three pickups open at once. He often tells the story that he bought it for $75 in Como, Mississippi from a man named Sherman Cooper, and vowed never to add another string, and that he would tour the world telling his story of how Sherman ripped him off. He has since done this.
- The One Stringed Diddly-Bo
- The 'MDM', The Mississippi Drum Machine.
- A small wooden box that is kicked to provide percussion. It is decorated with a Mississippi licence plate, and a small piece of carpet.
Discography
- Seasick Steve and the Level Devils: cheap
- Seasick Steve: Dog House Music