Biography
Following the 1992 dissolution of the Gibson Bros., a trio of groups rose to shape the underground landscape of garage rock and blues: Bassholes, '68 Comeback, and the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion. Among them, Bassholes stayed nearest the isolated rural essence of traditional American folk-blues yet pushed the style farthest from conventional rock & roll. The Columbus, OH duo formed around Gibson Bros. drummer Rich Lillash and Don Howland, who handled songwriting, vocals, and guitar while directing all other elements. Bassholes revived the potent blues-duo approach pioneered by artists such as Lightnin' Hopkins, folding in punk, folk, and the “Old Weird America” Greil Marcus identified in his writings on Harry Smith's Anthology of American Folk Music. Although the band issued a wealth of singles and albums, its full-length releases represent the career peaks. The 1992 debut appeared on In The Red Records; shortly afterward Lillash departed, and Howland enlisted then-19-year-old drummer Bim Thomas. Thomas's energetic, seemingly free-form style—always anchored in blues and rock rhythms—gave Howland a platform for guitar and voice to wail, weep, shout, and scream. Recurring themes center on sexual and social frustration alongside the odd undercurrents that run through rock, folk, and blues. Howland cites the lyrics and music of Skip James, Blind Willie McTell, and Furry Lewis, along with the Ramones' first album, as reference points (“There's a menacing undertone, something not quite right, but really catchy”). Most Bassholes recordings remain lo-fi productions made on limited budgets, yet Howland conveys his intent without compromise; the approach was never lo-fi for its own sake but rather an effort to achieve the strongest results with available means, linking the single-microphone atmosphere of folk to punk's DIY principles. Standout releases, both in critical reception and in Howland's own estimation, include Blue Roots, Long Way Blues, and Deaf Mix, each showcasing the band's broadest range through varied genres, recording qualities, instrumentation, themes, and vocal textures. Additional tracks emphasize the group's punk origins and embrace rock & roll's volume, speed, and attitude. Although Howland now resides in North Carolina and Thomas remains in Cleveland, OH, Bassholes persist in crafting irregular sounds for listeners drawn to equally unconventional music.
Albums
