Where I Swarm: Bass Drum of Death On Oxford, Mississippi
We asked John from Bass Drum of Death to guide us around Oxford, Mississippi – the art center of the South and one of America’s most prolific college towns.
Seeing as the team at Jack Daniel’s Honey are being so generous, (helping us bring you exclusive guides by some of the music industry’s most interesting, influential and talented people and giving you the chance to kick back with a few mates and a Jack Honey and Dry in your very own Byron Bay beach house for a weekend of unparalleled relaxation), we thought it was only right to show off one of the coolest little towns in the South.
John Barrett, possibly better known under moniker BASS DRUM OF DEATH, crafts an authentic take on raw American garage rock. For his second album, ‘Rip This’ – out November 17th on Innovated Leisure – he’s been joined by drummer Len Clark.The first single from the album, ‘Left For Dead’, was named NME’s Track of the Week shortly after release, hinting at big things to come.
As part of our guide to some of the world’s most interesting places by some of our favorite artists, we asked Barrett to guide us around his hometown of Oxford, Mississippi – the art center of the South and one of America’s most prolific college towns.
WHERE I DRINK
City Grocery
“Literally my Cheers. I am friends with people I otherwise probably wouldn’t be, because of this place. No matter how crowded it is, I can get a beer in ten seconds. Last place I go before I leave and first place I go when I get back.”
Plug into the latest music with our FREE weekly newsletter
WHERE I EAT
Mama Jo’s
“This is my lunch spot when I’m super hungry. Two pieces of fried chicken, two vegetables and cornbread with sweet tea is seven dollars. Super greasy and excellent. Also, sometimes they put the sweet tea in the same container that the Kool-Aid has been in so it’s extra sweet.”
WHERE I RELAX
End of All Music
“The only record store in Oxford, but also one of the best-curated record stores I’ve ever been to. David Swider [owner] does a great job. Plenty of new stuff but, if you wanted to do some digging, you’d be rewarded as well. Also, when they have events they offer free beer which is very tight.”
WHERE I IMPRESS A DATE
The Grove
“I guess this qualifies as a tourist spot. Oxford pretty much revolves around Ole Miss football in the fall and the Grove is the tailgaiting spot that people party at before and after games. People get all dressed up... Kinda hard to describe, but it’s a scene, man.”
WHERE I CREATE
Dude ranch
“So, I used to live here for a while and we still practice here. It’s basically a sprawling, shitty ranch house out in the country. Bars close early here and usually the next move is to grab a beer and head to the ranch.”
Want an excuse to hang out in Byron Bay?
We’re here to give you one… and it’s a pretty sweet deal. Because Jack Daniel’s Honey is a drink that draws a crowd, they’re giving you the chance to stir up a swarm of your own (otherwise known as your best mates) and win a weekend away in a pretty boss pad in the Bay.
All you have to do is tell us in 25 words or less, where you and your mates like to swarm to and our favorite answer will be sipping their next Jack Honey & Dry on the balcony above.
Words by Cheryl Billman.
SEE ALSO:
18+ Sponsored by Jack Daniel's Honey
More From Our Network
