Biography
Bass Drum of Death is a garage-punk / lo-fi rock band founded as the solo project of singer, guitarist, and multi-instrumentalist John Barrett in Oxford, Mississippi, around 2007–2008.[3][4][5] Barrett, who moved to Oxford at age seven, briefly studied at the University of Mississippi before dropping out in 2008 to focus on music, by which time he had already been recording under the Bass Drum of Death name for about a year.[4] Early on, he crafted raw, DIY recordings at home, playing nearly all the instruments himself and channeling distorted blues, surf, and punk energy into fuzz-heavy songs that fit squarely into the then-emerging garage rock resurgence.[3][4] His first official release, the EP Stain Stick Skin, appeared on Fat Possum Records in 2008, followed by the full-length debut GB City in 2011, whose tracks “Young Pros,” “Velvet Itch,” “Get Found,” and “Nerve Jamming” helped build a cult following through tours and prominent placements in films, video games, and TV.[3][4]
Across the 2010s, Barrett expanded Bass Drum of Death from a one-man studio project into a full band, recruiting drummers like Colin Sneed for early tours and later working regularly with drummer Len Clark (ex–Colour Revolt) and guitarist Josh Hunter.[3][4] A self-titled second album, Bass Drum of Death (2013), released via Innovative Leisure, and subsequent records deepened the band’s reputation for blown-out riffs, hooky melodies, and a gritty blend of garage rock, surf rock, and indie punk.[3] By the late 2010s and early 2020s, Bass Drum of Death had operated out of New York for several years, then relocated back to Oxford and re-signed with Fat Possum; they continued evolving from a largely solo recording vehicle into a more collaborative unit—including Barrett’s brother Jim Barrett on guitar and drummer Ian Kirkpatrick—while returning to the raw, lo-fi spirit of the early recordings on later albums such as SAY I WON’T and SIX.[2][7][8] Throughout, the project’s legacy has rested on its role in sustaining modern American garage rock: loud, unvarnished, and rooted in Southern DIY culture, yet widely recognized through international touring and recurring sync placements in popular media.[4][7]
Fun Facts
- Bass Drum of Death began as a true one-man band, with John Barrett writing, recording, singing, and playing all instruments on early releases before he could afford to bring in other musicians.[3][4]
- Songs from the debut album GB City have appeared across pop culture: “Velvet Itch” was used in the film Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance, “Get Found” was featured in the video game Major League Baseball 2K12, and “Nerve Jamming” appeared in the BBC series Waterloo Road.[4]
- Barrett dropped out of the University of Mississippi after about a year and a half specifically to pursue Bass Drum of Death full time, having already started the project while still a student.[4]
- The project has shifted homes between respected indie labels: the first EP and debut album came out on Oxford’s Fat Possum Records, the self-titled second album appeared on Innovative Leisure, and later work—including Say I Won’t—returned to Fat Possum, reinforcing the band’s connection to its Mississippi roots.[3][2][8]
Members
- John Barrett - guitar
- John Barrett - bass drum
- Len Clark
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- Patrick Carney - Producer and creative partner who helped guide the band’s return-to-form sound and studio approach on the album Say I Won’t after they moved back to Oxford, Mississippi. (Album Say I Won’t (producer role)) [circa early 2020s (around the release of Say I Won’t)]
Key Collaborators
- Colin Sneed - Early live drummer who helped translate Barrett’s one-man recordings into a full band on tour, including their first major North American run. (Touring for GB City and early Bass Drum of Death live shows) [around 2011 and early 2010s]
- Len Clark - Drummer (formerly of Colour Revolt) who became a core band member and contributed to songwriting, marking a shift from solo project to more band-oriented process. (Later Bass Drum of Death recordings and tours post-GB City) [mid-2010s onward]
- Josh Hunter - Guitarist who joined Barrett and Clark in a more stable band lineup, expanding the group’s live and studio sound beyond the original one-man setup. (Band performances and sessions with Bass Drum of Death after GB City) [mid-2010s onward]
- Jim Barrett - John Barrett’s brother and guitarist in the later trio lineup, involved collaboratively from demoing through final arrangements on newer material. (Album SIX and associated tours) [early–mid 2020s]
- Ian Kirkpatrick - Drummer in the modern trio configuration who participates fully in the writing and demo process, helping the band reconnect with its raw, lo-fi roots. (Album SIX and contemporary live shows) [early–mid 2020s]
- Jacob Portrait - Producer and bassist of Unknown Mortal Orchestra who recorded a Bass Drum of Death album after the bands toured together, bringing his indie/psych production perspective. (Production on a Bass Drum of Death studio album (post-GB City)) [mid-2010s]
Connection Network
Discography
Albums
| Title | Release Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Bass Drum of Death | 2013-05-27 | Album |
| Gb City | 2011 | Album |
| Rip This | 2014-10-06 | Album |
| Just Business | 2018-07-27 | Album |
| Say I Won't | 2023-01-27 | Album |
| Live...and Let Die | 2024-06-07 | Album |
| Six | 2025-09-12 | Album |
| Say I Won't | 2023-03-24 | Album |
| Rip This | 2014-10-06 | Album |
| Bass Drum of Death | 2013-08-19 | Album |
| Say I Won't | 2023-04-14 | Album |
| Rip This | 2014-10-07 | Album |
| Rip This | 2014-10-07 | Album |
| Rip This | 2014-10-07 | Album |
| Rip This | 2014-10-07 | Album |
Top Tracks
- Crawling After You (Bass Drum of Death)
- I Wanna Be Forgotten (Bass Drum of Death)
- you were right
- Nerve Jamming (Gb City)
- Get Found (Gb City)
- Shattered Me (Bass Drum of Death)
- Way Out (Bass Drum of Death)
- Left for Dead (Rip This)
- Velvet Itch (Gb City)
- I'm On The Run
External Links
Tags: #garage-punk, #garage-rock-revival
References
Heard on WWOZ
Bass Drum Of Death has been played 1 time on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.
| Date | Time | Title | Show | Spotify |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 10, 2025 | 23:27 | I Wanna Be Forgottenfrom Bass Drum Of Death | Kitchen Sinkw/ A.J. Rodrigue and A.A. |