Phantom Tollbooth

A New York post-punk/noise rock trio led by early Yo La Tengo member Dave Rick, Phantom Tollbooth formed in 1984. Rounding out the lineup were Gerard Smith on bass and Jon Coats on drums. They released two EPs (1986's Phantom Tollbooth EP and 1990's Daylight in the Quiet Zone EP) and two full-length collections (One-Way Conversation in 1987 and Power Toy in 1988), all through Homestead Records. Their potent brand of noisy art rock has drawn comparisons to Fred Frith, and Rick was a consistent contributor to fellow New Yorkers Bongwater and B.A.L.L. Upon dissolution of the band in 1988, Rick joined King Missile, Jon Coats became a member of Canartic, and Gerard Smith joined Darling Nerves. In 2003, Robert Pollard revisited the Tollbooth sound, taking that band's album Power Toy and reinterpreted the lyrics and melodies as the album Beard of Lightning. ~ Christopher M. True, Rovi