That 1 Guy is an apt moniker for Mike Silverman, as there is no one like the charismatic one-man band. Silverman plays the bass and an array of homemade instruments, such as his celebrated “Magic Pipe.”
Silverman has a fresh approach to live performance. He works out material before recording it, which isn’t new. But it’s uncommon these days due to YouTube. Prior to cellphone cameras and the internet, recording artists regularly delivered the songs live before hitting the studio.
“I’m a big believer in performing songs you’re working on in front of an audience before you record,” Silverman said while calling from Florida.
“What happens is that the songs take on another form when you play them live. (Iconic jazz trumpeter) Miles (Davis) would tour for a year before going into the studio. He would come out with something dramatically different than what it was when he started. Standup comics work out material all the time. You can’t be worried about who is going to record what you’re doing when you’re trying it out.”
Any fans of eccentric, avant-garde recording artists should check out Silverman, who will perform Friday, Sept. 5, at Club Congress. Silverman is reminiscent of Primus’ Les Claypool because he’s an oddball, who is clever and amusing.
Silverman is a rare find. “I like creating a big, epic sound,” Silverman said. “I think what I create is really unique.”
There is no doubt about that. The classically trained double bass player, who attended the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, has his own sound in part due to the invention of the aforementioned Magic Pipe, which is a homemade electronically rigged pair of machined aluminum pipes connected by bronze joints with each pipe hosting an orchestral bass string. The 7-foot instrument was inspired by Silverman’s limitations with the double bass.
“I think every musician gets frustrated with his or her instrument,” Silverman said. “I decided to do something about it.”
Silverman, who invented the Magic Pipe during the late ’90s, didn’t stop there. He created the Magic Boot, a cowboy boot that is wired and fed through the Magic Pipe’s audio lines. It’s played as a percussive instrument.
There is the Magic Saw, which is a musical saw that is wired into the main effects box. It’s played percussively or with a violin bow.
“Necessity really is the mother of invention,” Silverman said. “I needed to take my music to another level, so I invented these instruments. I needed more range and I got it.”
There aren’t many one-man bands out there and Silverman, who is always tinkering with his electro-funk, is proud of his distinction.
“It’s a pretty cool thing doing it by yourself,” Silverman said. “I’m truly an independent artist. All I need is me and my instruments and a car to get around. Since I have that, I’m good.”
Silverman’s “Songs in the Key of Beotch,” which was released in 2003, is an under-the-radar gem. “It’s raining meat/And I can’t see my own two feet,” Silverman sings in his welcome deadpan manner.
Silverman continued with the compelling absurdist manner with 2007’s inspired “The Moon is Disgusting.” It’s one of the best album of covers of the quarter century with Silverman sitting on a moon made of cheese.
Much of the album is about most folks’ obsession, food. “Oranges,” “Bananas” and “Mash” are some of the songs.
“Everybody has to eat,” Silverman said. “I think people can relate.”
It’s fitting that Silverman recorded the song “Guava” because, perhaps, Silverman’s greatest influence is Ween. “Pure Guava” is arguably the wacky but brilliant duo’s finest album. Silverman shares some of Ween’s best traits.
One never knows what Silverman will play live because he loves to mix it up every night.
“It’s such a blast to play live,” Silverman said. “I always have fun with the audience. If I didn’t love this, I wouldn’t still be doing it. I’ve been at this for a lot of years, and it’s still as much fun as ever.”
Silverman has that experimental Captain Beefheart way about him because he’s always exploring.
“I like trying to find something new,” Silverman said. “Why just go out there and repeat yourself? Let’s move in another direction.”
That 1 Guy
WHEN: 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 5
WHERE: Club Congress, 311 E. Congress Street, Tucson
COST: $25.24
INFO: 520-622-8848, hotelcongress.com
This article appears in Aug 28 – Sep 4, 2025.