Junkyard

A Hollywood hair metal act with a surprisingly punk rock pedigree, Junkyard’s lineup on their debut album included guitarists Brian Baker (ex-Minor Threat, ex-Dag Nasty, ex-Meatmen, later to join Bad Religion) and Chris Gates, formerly of Texas punk-funk pioneers the Big Boys. Their music had more snarl than anyone short of their Geffen Records labelmates Guns N’ Roses, occasionally veering into full-on Southern rock. (No, “Simple Man” isn’t a Lynyrd Skynyrd cover.) Guest appearances from guitarist Earl Slick, pianist Al Kooper, and Molly Hatchet guitarist Duane Roland give the album a ’70s feel at times, while their fastest songs, most notably “Shot in the Dark” and “Life Sentence,” offer catchy choruses and blazing punk-blues energy.