Junk Yard Band

Last updated
Junk Yard Band
Origin Washington, D.C., USA
Genres Go-go
Years active1980–present
Labels
MembersBuggs, Gene Pratt, KC, Mo Shorter, Wink-O, Daniel Baker, Demi-Doc, T-Bob, Dre Dog, Bruce Bailey, Dave Ellis aka 32, Plucky, Mike Strong, Jasper, Blue Eye Darryl, Peetey, Black Pooh, Jason Lane
Past membersHeavy One, Shorty Pop, Lil Derrick

The Junk Yard Band is a Washington, D.C based go-go band, founded in the early 1980s by children playing on improvised instruments. [1] They are best known for their songs- "Sardines" and "The Word."

Contents

Biography

The band was formed in 1980 by children, ranging in age from 8 to 13, living in the Barry Farm government housing project in Washington, D.C. [1] They were inspired to play after witnessing the performances of local go-go bands in their neighborhood. Not having resources to purchase traditional instruments, the children instead scoured their neighborhood in search of objects that could emulate the sound of real instruments: hubcaps, plastic buckets, crates, cans, and discarded pots and pans - these types of GoGo bands became known as "Bucket Bands". [1] After a few informal performances in Barry Farm, the group was dubbed the "Junk Yard Band" by locals. This is perhaps a reference to the animated television program, Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids , whose band "The Junk Yard Gang" also performed on improvised instruments.

With go-go music gaining in popularity, and the band gaining local notoriety, the band began booking performances at schools, recreation centers, fundraisers, and government agencies. The band was often seen performing for tourists on the streets of Washington, D.C. This popularity led to appearances in a 1984 Cavalier Men's Store television advertisement, the 1983 film D.C. Cab and the 1988 film Tougher Than Leather with Run-D.M.C. It was this interaction with Run-D.M.C.'s Run that led to an eventual contract with older brother Russell Simmons' Def Jam Recordings.

Far from being a novelty act, "Junk Yard" can be thought of as the creators of the "new school" in terms of their contribution to the world of go-go. Before them, every go-go band of any significance had a horn section, bass guitar player, and most likely a lead guitar player also. Early Junk Yard had none of these but instead developed a characteristic layered percussion sound based on improvised instruments.

However, by 1986, the only contributing improvised instruments were plastic buckets and other things in replication of the standard go-go three roto-tom/two timbales configuration. That year, the band scored their first major hit, and arguably their signature song, "Sardines," which earned them airplay outside of the D.C. market.

In 1992, original member and drummer "Heavy One" was gunned down in the same Barry Farms projects where the band perfected their bucket band style. [2]

Recording career

Def Jam released the band's song "Sardines" as a single in 1986. The song received considerable airplay, and the band embarked on a tour of the United States as an opening act for acts such as Guy, Salt-n-Pepa, Tupac Shakur, and labelmates Beastie Boys and Slayer. No longer viewed simply as a novelty act, the group performed at such prestigious venues as the Kennedy Center and the Apollo Theater.

The group signed with Street Records, in 1992.

Discography

Albums

TitleFormatLabelYear
The Word / Sardines LP Def Jam 1986
Live at Safari Club LP Street Records 1989
Don't Sleep on Us LPStreet Records1991
Creepin' Thru Da Hoodz LPStreet Records1994
Reunion 95 LPStreet Records1996
Go Hard LPStreet Records1996
The Beginning/The End LPLiaison1999

Singles and EPs

TitleFormatLabelYear
Jigglin' Baby 12" EP Street Records
The Word/Sardines12" EP Def Jam 1986
The Word/Sardines 7" single Def Jam1986
Ruff It Off12" EPStreet Records1992
Loose Booty/Let It Ride (Socket Beat)12" EPStreet Records1994
The Rippa Medley/Ha Ha, Yuck Yuck Yuck Yah12" EPStreet Records1995
Here Come The Freaks/Uh Oh12" EPStreet Records1996
JY On The Rise (Wink & Dog)/Redrum12" EPStreet Records1996
Tiddy Balls12" EPStreet Records1996

Many bootleg tapes and cds of the band's live shows are in circulation. Although recordings exist from throughout the band's existence, recordings from the band's prime era (1987–1997) are the most sought-after.

Related Research Articles

The new school of hip hop was a movement in hip hop music, beginning in 1983–84 with the early records of Run–D.M.C., Whodini, and LL Cool J. Predominantly from Queens and Brooklyn, it was characterized by drum machine-led minimalism, often tinged with elements of rock; rapped taunts, boasts, and socio-political commentary; and aggressive, self-assertive delivery. In song and image, its artists projected a tough, cool, street b-boy attitude. These elements contrasted sharply with funk and disco, novelty hits, live bands, synthesizers, and party rhymes of artists prevalent in the early 1980s. Compared to their older hip hop counterparts, new school artists crafted more cohesive LPs and shorter songs more amenable to airplay. By 1986, their releases began to establish hip hop in the mainstream.

Go-go is a subgenre of funk music with an emphasis on specific rhythmic patterns, and live audience call and response.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rick Rubin</span> American music producer

Frederick Jay Rubin is an American record executive and record producer. He is the co-founder of Def Jam Recordings, founder of American Recordings, and former co-president of Columbia Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nitty Gritty Dirt Band</span> American band

The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band is an American country rock band formed in 1966. The group has existed in various forms since its founding in Long Beach, California. Between 1976 and 1981, the band performed and recorded as the Dirt Band.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rhythm section</span> Group of musicians within a music ensemble or band

A rhythm section is a group of musicians within a music ensemble or band that provides the underlying rhythm, harmony and pulse of the accompaniment, providing a rhythmic and harmonic reference and "beat" for the rest of the band. The rhythm section is often contrasted with the roles of other musicians in the band, such as the lead guitarist or lead vocals whose primary job is to carry the melody.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Matt Cameron</span> American drummer

Matthew David Cameron is an American musician who is the drummer for the rock band Pearl Jam. He first gained fame as the drummer for Seattle-based rock band Soundgarden, which he joined in 1986. He appeared on each of the band's studio albums until its break-up in 1997. In 1998, Cameron was invited to join Pearl Jam's U.S. Yield Tour and then became a permanent member of the band. In 2010, Cameron became simultaneously a member of Pearl Jam and the reunited Soundgarden. He remained with Soundgarden until its disbandment after the death of lead singer Chris Cornell in 2017. Cameron, along with guitarist Kim Thayil and Cornell, is one of three members to feature on every Soundgarden studio album.

Colonel Claypool's Bucket of Bernie Brains (C2B3) was an experimental rock supergroup featuring bassist Les Claypool, guitarist Buckethead, keyboardist Bernie Worrell and drummer Bryan "Brain" Mantia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jawbox</span> American post-hardcore band

Jawbox is an American post-hardcore band from Washington, D.C., formed in 1989 by J. Robbins (vocals/guitar), Kim Coletta (bass), and Adam Wade (drums). After the trio released the album Grippe in 1991, Bill Barbot (guitar/vocals) joined as the fourth member. Jawbox released their second album Novelty in 1992, followed by Wade being replaced by Zach Barocas that same year. Jawbox signed to the major label Atlantic Records and released their third album For Your Own Special Sweetheart in 1994, which spawned the band's most recognizable song "Savory". After the release of their fourth album Jawbox in 1996, the band departed from Atlantic, and subsequently disbanded in 1997. They reunited for a brief one-off show in 2009, followed by a full-time reunion in 2019. Barbot left the band in 2021 and he was replaced by Brooks Harlan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jam session</span> Informal musical event

A jam session is a relatively informal musical event, process, or activity where musicians, typically instrumentalists, play improvised solos and vamp over tunes, drones, songs, and chord progressions. To "jam" is to improvise music without extensive preparation or predefined arrangements, except for when the group is playing well-known jazz standards or covers of existing popular songs. Original jam sessions, also called "free flow sessions," are often used by musicians to develop new material (music) and find suitable arrangements. Both styles can be used simply as a social gathering and communal practice session. Jam sessions may be based upon existing songs or forms, may be loosely based on an agreed chord progression or chart suggested by one participant, or may be wholly improvisational. Jam sessions can range from very loose gatherings of amateurs to evenings where a jam session coordinator or host acts as a "gatekeeper" so that appropriate-level performers take the stage to sophisticated improvised recording sessions by professionals which are intended to be broadcast live on radio or TV or edited and released to the public.

<i>In the Dark</i> (Grateful Dead album) 1987 studio album by Grateful Dead

In the Dark is the twelfth studio album by the Grateful Dead. It was recorded in January 1987, and released on July 6, 1987.

<i>Krush Groove</i> 1985 film by Michael Schultz

Krush Groove is a 1985 American musical comedy-drama film distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures that was written by Ralph Farquhar and directed by Michael Schultz. This film is loosely based on the early days of Def Jam Recordings and up-and-coming record producer Russell Simmons, portrayed by Blair Underwood in his feature film debut. Simmons was the film's co-producer and story consultant; he also had a cameo in the film as a club owner named Crocket.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ellery Eskelin</span> American tenor saxophonist

Ellery Eskelin is an American tenor saxophonist raised in Baltimore, Maryland and residing in New York City. His parents, Rodd Keith and Bobbie Lee, were both professional musicians. Rodd Keith died in 1974 in Los Angeles, California, and became a cult figure after his death in the little-known field of "song-poem" music. Organist Bobbie Lee performed in local nightclubs in Baltimore in the early 1960s and provided Eskelin an introduction to standards from the Great American Songbook as well as inspiring an early interest in jazz music.

A segue is a transition from one topic or section to the next. The term is derived from Italian segue, which literally means "follows".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Save You (Pearl Jam song)</span> 2002 single by Pearl Jam

"Save You" is a song by American rock band Pearl Jam, released on December 9, 2002, as the second single from the band's seventh studio album, Riot Act (2002). Although credited to all members of Pearl Jam, it features lyrics written by vocalist Eddie Vedder and music primarily written by guitarist Mike McCready. The song peaked at number 23 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart. The song was included on Pearl Jam's 2004 greatest hits album, rearviewmirror .

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Backing track</span>

A backing track is an audio recording on audiotape, CD or a digital recording medium or a MIDI recording of synthesized instruments, sometimes of purely rhythmic accompaniment, often of a rhythm section or other accompaniment parts that live musicians play along with or sing along to. Backing tracks enable singers and bands to add parts to their music which would be impractical or impossible to perform live, such as string section or choir parts which were recorded in the studio. A backing track can be used by a one person band to add any amount of bass, drums and keyboards to their live shows without the cost of hiring extra musicians. A small pop group or rock band can use backing tracks to add a string section, horn section, drumming or backing vocals to their live shows.

<i>Jimmy Stewart 2007</i> 2008 live album by Umphreys McGee

Jimmy Stewart 2007 is a double live album by progressive rock band Umphrey's McGee. The album was released on June 17, 2008 and consists of some of the band's best improvisational performances from 2007. "What is Jimmy Stewart?" is a brief explanation of their approach to improvisation. The track "Eat - 2.17.07 - San Francisco, California" would become the basis for a new song "Waist Down", debuted on May 24, 2008. A follow-up to the UMLive.net downloads Jimmy Stewart The Album and Jimmy Stewart The Second Album, JS2007 is the first in the series to be offered in CD form, complete with artwork.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jam band</span> Musical group whose live albums and concerts relate to a unique fan culture

A jam band is a musical group whose concerts are characterized by lengthy improvisational "jams." These include extended musical improvisation over rhythmic grooves and chord patterns, and long sets of music which often cross genre boundaries. Most jam band sets will consist of variations on songs that have already been released as studio recordings. Jam bands are known for having a very fluid structure, often having one song lead into another without any interruption.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Run-DMC</span> American hip hop group

Run-DMC was an American hip hop group from Hollis, Queens, New York City, founded in 1983 by Joseph Simmons, Darryl McDaniels, and Jason Mizell. Run-DMC is regarded as one of the most influential acts in the history of hip hop culture and especially one of the most famous hip hop acts of the 1980s. Along with Beastie Boys, LL Cool J, DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince, and Public Enemy, the group pioneered new-school hip hop music and the golden age of hip hop. The group was among the first to highlight the importance of the MC and DJ relationship.

<i>Reunion</i> (Junk Yard Band album) 1996 live album by Junk Yard Band

Reunion is a live album released on April 1, 1996 by the Washington, D.C.-based go-go band Junk Yard Band. The album was recorded live in December 1995 at the Martin's Crosswinds Ballroom in Greenbelt, Maryland. It consists of ten tracks, including the songs "Sardines", "The Word", "Tiddy Balls", and "Hee Haw".

<i>The Beginning/The End</i> 1999 live album by Junk Yard Band

The Beginning/The End is a live album released in 1999 by the Washington, D.C.-based go-go band Junk Yard Band. The album consists of thirteen tracks, including the songs "Boot Camp Clik", "Freak Body Baby", and "Use Me". It is narrated by Maurice "Moe" Shorter. The album won the 2000 Washington Area Music Award for best go-go recording.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Lornell, Kip; Stephenson, Jr., Charles C. (2001). The Beat: Go-Go's Fusion of Funk and Hip-Hop . Billboard Books. pp.  262, 279. ISBN   0-8230-7727-6.
  2. Thomas-Lester, Avis (October 7, 1992). "Slain Go-Go Drummer Eulogized". The Washington Post .