In 2008, John Barrett began performing music around Oxford, Mississippi with just his bass drum and guitar. Fifteen years later, Barrett just wrapped up a tour of North America promoting Say I Won’t, the fifth studio album by his band, Bass Drum of Death.
Say I Won’t, has received widespread acclaim in the garage punk rock scene after much anticipation, when it was announced that the album was being released by Fat Possum Records. Not only that, but it was produced by founding member and drummer of The Black Keys, Patrick Carney.
The trio that comprises Bass Drum of Death, now consisting of Barrett’s younger brother Jim (guitar), and Ian Kirkpatrick (drums), used to be a solo endeavor, with John recording the band’s first two albums, Gb City and Bass Drum of Death, by himself.
It wasn’t until early 2020, when the Barrett brothers began writing songs together. Eventually finishing a 7-inch single “Too Cold to Hold,” and “Wait,” during the COVID-19 lockdown in Oxford, Mississippi.
Currently, the band is coming off a three-month tour of The United States and Canada but are scheduled to play an additional run of shows in August. Even making an appearance in Brooklyn, on August 12 at Our Wicked Lady, with Dead Tooth and Comatosed.
For tickets to their upcoming shows and more information on all things Bass Drum of Death, you can check out their website, www.bassdrumofdeath.com, or follow them on Instagram @bassdrumofdeath.