Bombadil

By James Phillips (drummer)

James Phillips, drummer for July’s spotlight band Bombadil, shares his tales of the road with us this month. The band toured the northern states (Vermont, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York and Maine) before returning to its hometown of Durham, N.C.

The tour was in support of Bombadil’s debut full-length, A Buzz, A Buzz, which was released on Ramseur Records (the home of next big-thing band The Avett Brothers, until recently). With songs mixing deep country American folk with Eastern European and Andean sensibilities, Bombadil’s lads are well on their way to following in the Avett’s footsteps - one boisterous, jumping show at a time.

July 9

Montpelier, VT

Our first show in the great state of Vermont! One of the employees at the Langdon Street Cafe made this nice sign. A little cartoon in the corner of the sign is saying “Bomb-a-what!?”

July 10

Hartford, CT

Daniel’s cousin Kristen and her boyfriend Tom had us over for dinner before our show in New London, Conn. It was much better than a dollar menu. Bryan and Daniel did the dishes, although it made Daniel a little grumpy.

July 11

New London, CT

Danny from the Can Kickers was nice enough to put us up at his house after an awesome show at the Oasis. Bryan fell asleep on the hard wood floor almost immediately. I snuck into the guest bed when no was paying attention. We woke up to a little child singing “Feliz Cumpleaños” outside the window.

July 13

Burlington, MA

Our friend Dan Schvartsmen put us up for the night. Daniel and Stuart worked on a new song that Stuart wrote. I get to sing bass harmonies on the song, which is exciting.

July 14

Somerville, MA

Our friends Lincoln and Stephanie had us over for an afternoon cookout. Stephanie showed Stuart how to properly venerate a hot dog (which was graciously held by Daniel) while Lincoln copped a feel.

July 15

Outside the Trash Bar, Brooklyn, NY

Unfortunately, there was not a green room at the bar, so we had to change in the van. Bryan caught the rest of us in the act. The venue had free tater tots. We ate two baskets.

July 16

Somewhere in Southern Maine

I was so thoroughly engrossed by Truman Copote’s In Cold Blood, that I didn’t notice this picture being taken. Daniel warned me that I would miss all of the moose, but unfortunately we didn’t see any.

July 20

Durham, NC

Home! We are greeted by a lovely package from our friend Jil. She bought us all of our first cassette tapes on CD (two copies of Green Day’s Dookie, the Cool Runnings soundtrack, and The Nylons’ Rockapella).

Bombadil spent the rest of the summer exploring the country, traveling to Kansas, Colorado, Utah, Oregon, California and beyond before returning to the Southeast this month. The band will be traipsing around familiar territory during September including the Carolinas, Florida, Virginia and Tennesee.

www.bombadilmusic.com