Junkyard is an American hard rock band formed in 1987 in Los Angeles, California, United States, with members previously in Minor Threat, Big Boys, Decry and Dag Nasty. The band drew comparisons with Guns N' Roses. In 2015, Junkyard released two brand-new songs "Faded" b/w "The River" on Unison Music Group. In 2017, Junkyard released its first album since 1991, High Water. November 22, 2019 Acetate Records released the band's 1992 studio album, Old Habits Die Hard. Back in 1992, Junkyard was a well-oiled machine, their previous two releases performed well, they had multiple videos in rotation on MTV, and successful club and arena tours under their belt. Looking to infuse more of their musical sensibilities into their third effort, they began writing and recording and in a short few months, they had compiled over 20 songs. The new material reflected more of their alt/punk roots, which was not much of a directional change considering their strong punk pedigree.
History
Origins
The original line-up of the band included several members who were not a part of the group by the time they began recording. Max Gottlieb was the original guitarist and songwriter, and the original drummer was Johnny Hell. After these two left the group, the lineup stabilized around lead singerDavid Roach, guitarist Chris Gates, bassist Clay Anthony and drummer Patrick Muzingo. Brian Baker, joined the band just prior to the recording of the first album. Although the band was heavily influenced by Southern rock, Baker had told Sounds, "I hate the concept. I like that music, but I'm not into the rebel flag or the throwing up in your pickup truck." The band was signed by Geffen Records in January 1988, with a self-titled Tom Werman-produced debut album issued in 1989, described by Allmusic as incorporating "elements of Southern rock, boogie-woogie, and AC/DCism into one compact sound." The album featured singles "Hollywood" and "Simple Man." This album was followed two years later by Sixes, Sevens & Nines, produced by Ed Stasium and featuring contributions from Steve Earle. Anthony left the band shortly before the release of the second album amid drug problems, to be replaced by Todd Muscat. The band was dropped by Geffen in 1992, with a third album recorded but not released, and disbanded shortly afterwards. The unreleased third album was subsequently issued as XXX and The Joker.
Post-breakup/reformation
Roach founded Borracho with members of Promise and Dogs D'Amour, while Gates formed 99 lbs. Muzingo formed Catfish and later Battery Club. Baker, who had already become a veteran of the punk rock scene prior to joining Junkyard, went on to join Bad Religion. A live Junkyard album was issued in 2000, and Baker, Roach, Muzingo and Muscat reformed the band, with Tim Mosher added to the line-up. A tour of Japan followed, with Dogs D'Amour guitarist Jo Dog added to the line-up for these dates. The new line-up recorded the 2003 mini-album Tried and True, comprising a mixture of old and new songs. Since 2000, the band has toured Europe twice, co-headlined the Serie Z festival with acts that were very complimentary of the way the band should have been marketed. and have played a handful of shows domestically in Austin, Tulsa, Los Angeles to name a few. In 2008, the band released an album of previously unreleased material, originally recorded for a 1987 demo that helped get them signed to Geffen. The album is titled Put it on Ten and Pull the Knobs Off!. On July 10, 2015, Junkyard released two brand-new songs "Faded b/w The River" on Unison Music Group, with a CD single and 7" Vinyl following in late August. On April 21, 2017 the band's first studio album in 26 years, High Water, was released on Acetate Records. On November 22, 2019 the band's 1992 studio album, Old habits Die Hard, was released on Acetate Records. Back in 1992, Junkyard was a well-oiled machine, their previous two releases performed well, they had multiple videos in rotation on MTV, and successful club and arena tours under their belt. Looking to infuse more of their musical sensibilities into their third effort, they began writing and recording and in a short few months they had compiled over 20 songs. The new material reflected more of their alt/punk roots, which was not much of a directional change considering their strong punk pedigree.
Side projects
Outside of Junkyard, members of the band remain actively involved in individual projects: Gates with his solo outfit "Chris Gates and Gatesville," based out of Austin ; Baker with Bad Religion and Mosher with his outfit, The Light Brigade.
