Hailing from Oxford, Mississippi, Bass Drum of Death initially started out in 2007 as the one-man-band solo project of John Barrett, releasing the Stain Stick Skin EP on Fat Possum in 2008. Their debut album, “GB City” followed in 2011. Barrett also began touring, working with a varied lineup of musicians for live performances. Moving to Innovative Leisure for both a self-titled sophomore LP in 2013 and “Rip This” in 2014 (produced by Unknown Mortal Orchestra’s Jacob Portrait), the band continued touring North America, Europe, and Australia including lengthy support slots for Black Rebel Motorcycle Club and Royal Blood.
The band returned in 2018 with “Just Business”, released on Century Media, and by 2020, Barrett had put together a new lineup, collaborating with his younger brother, guitarist Jim Barrett, and drummer Ian Kirkpatrick. The trio then released the 7” single “Too Cold to Hold/Wait” in 2020 and “You Were Right”, a collaboration single with Eve 6 in 2021. The band then spent much of the COVID lockdown working on new material, culminating in 2023 when they reunited with Fat Possum and delivered the group’s fifth full-length, “Say I Won’t”, produced by Patrick Carney of the Black Keys. The group released a live LP titled “Live…and Let Die” in June of 2024, and is currently working on a 6th studio album.
Gus Baldwin and The Sketch
Please follow either/both Gus Baldwin solo and/or @The Sketch for most up to date releases.
Gus Baldwin is a singer/songwriter/ex-hippie/part-time punk hailing from Austin, TX. After a stint holding down drums for Dallas surf punk legends Sealion in high school, Baldwin went on to form the Psych Pop combo Acid Carousel, which he led for 6 years and 20-something releases before departing the band on Halloween night 2021.
Since leaving Carousel, Gus has made a name for himself as a solo artist in Austin, constantly performing as a singer/songwriter, one man garage band, or with his band The Sketch. Quickly releasing a string of titles on his own GetWithIt! Records imprint, including the EPs THRILLER II, Live Bugs, as well as a slew of singles, Gus established himself firmly as the godson of Texas rock ‘n’ roll. Splitting his time as a frequent collaborator with The Black Angels, Baldwin also works with the likes of Christian Bland & The Revelators as well as The UFO Club with Night Beats frontman, Danny Lee Blackwell.
The Sketch is the full length debut of Gus’ partnership with The Sketch. The album was recorded in one day at Studio 22 in Los Angeles by engineer Joey Oaxaca (White Reaper, Starcrawler).
