Originating as a "bucket band" of young kids from Barry Farm in Southeast DC in the early 1980s, Junkyard Band grew to become one of the most important artists in the evolution of Go-Go music.
Originally the band worked with found and handmade instruments and relied on commanding attention in public places. They took Go-Go out of the ballroom, stripping it down to its bare bones and non-stop percussive heart. They also added the now-common front line of three vocalists, each with a distinct role and style. On top of that, their original and biggest mainstream hit, "Sardines/The Word", brought a new level of political consciousness to DC's hometown beat.
The enduring popularity of Junkyard's joyously raw sound gave rise to a whole generation of hardcore and crank performers who have carried Go-Go into the 21st century. Through it all and even today, JYB remain beloved and in-demand entertainers.
