Comprised of ex-
Dag Nasty/
Minor Threat and future
Bad Religion guitarist
Brian Baker,
Junkyard's 1989 debut is a rollicking, good time, if somewhat disjointed, affair. Produced by veteran classic rock knobster
Tom Werman, the band's self-titled debut puts a different spin on the late-'80s hair rock mantra. Dirtier and certainly blusier than most of its counterparts,
Junkyard incorporated elements of Southern rock, boogie-woogie, and
AC/DCism into one compact sound. Songs like "Simple Man," replete with saloon-style piano, make a valid argument for a good idea seen through with lackluster execution. The album's single "Hollywood" sounds like
Faster Pussycat playing through
Lynyrd Skynyrd's guitar rig. If you like
Rhino Bucket or
the Sea Hags of this world,
Junkyard's debut is worth checking out. ~ John Franck