a reunited Phantom Tollbooth is opening the December 3rd New York Show
1984-1988: Named after Norton Juster's psychedelic children's book, Phantom Tollbooth was a variation on the eclectic parallel-to-Hardcore of, among others, Mission of Burma and Saccharine Trust. Combining abrupt tempo and harmonic changes with dense sonic knots and oddball musicianship mistaken for "chops", the very-powerful-trio created a classic punk/classic rock hybrid of unwarranted and perhaps unwanted wantoness.
Malformed in 1984 by drummer Jon Coats, bassist Gerard Smith and guitarist Dave Rick, (the latter leaving his bass spot in the newborn Yo La Tengo to dedicate more time to the embryonic Tollbooth), they quickly joined the esteemed Homestead roster of superstars (Sonic Youth, Swans, Big Black, Dinosaur Jr, etc.). PT went on to record two full albums and two almost full EPs and like most good and neglected bands from Indie Rock's pre-historic age, they played as if on fire, burned a bunch of money, and flamed out.
After the breakup, Jon and Gerard formed the short-lived Burn, which included Mac McCaughan (later of Superchunk) and vocalist Jon Easley (previously with Sorry). Gerard was also the first of several bass players to pass through Helmet. Dave went on to stints with Bongwater and King Missile.
