Sound Barrier
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1980 |
| Headquarters | Los Angeles , United States |
| Products | Heavy metal music |
Sound Barrier is a groundbreaking American heavy metal group from Los Angeles, distinguished as an all-African American quartet. Its members have also collaborated and toured with notable acts such as Masi, Total Eclipse, Mother's Finest, and Fishbone.
Biography
Established in 1980 when vocalist Bernie K. and guitarist Spacey T. crossed paths while performing in an R&B funk ensemble, Sound Barrier emerged as a rare all-black heavy metal band within a largely white-dominated genre. Despite attracting significant media attention, their commercial achievements remained modest. Signed by MCA Records, their first album, Total Control (1982), sold approximately 12,000 copies before the label dropped them.
In 1984, they independently released the EP Born to Rock, which included a rendition of Steppenwolf's "Born to Be Wild". After bassist Stanley E. departed in 1986, Romanian-born Emil Lech—previously with Terriff alongside future Ozzy Osbourne guitarist Joe Holmes—joined the lineup.
Under Metal Blade Records, Sound Barrier issued Speed of Light (1986), featuring a cover of Thin Lizzy's "Hollywood (Down on Your Luck)", before disbanding in 1987. Following this, vocalist Bernie Kimbell and drummer Dave Brown became part of Metal Blade's Masi, contributing to the 1987 album Fire in the Rain. Meanwhile, guitarist Spacey T. reunited with Stanley E. to form Gangland, releasing a demo in 1988.
Emil Lech participated with Joshua on their 1988 release Intense Defense, then co-founded Driver with Joshua members Rob Rock and Greg Shultz, putting out a cassette-only EP in 1990. Later relocating to Germany, Lech created Ape alongside Matthias Dieth and Andy Susemihl; they produced Human Greed (1992) before disbanding.
After their time with Masi, Kimbell and Brown joined forces with former The BusBoys members Vic Johnson and Andre "Dre" Berry to form Total Eclipse. Their only album was released in 1992 through Tabu Records with distribution by A&M Records. The band's MTV video single was "Fire in the Rain," a track previously recorded during their tenure with Masi.
Following Gangland's dissolution, Spacey T. became part of the funk/hard rock group Mother's Finest, co-writing and recording the 1992 album Black Radio Won't Play This Record and embarking on extensive tours. In 1997, he joined alternative rock band Fishbone, remaining active until 2003 before establishing Year Of The Dragon with Fishbone co-founder Walter Kibby II. This project delivered the EP A Time To Love Is A Time To Bleed (2006) and the album Blunt Force Karma (2009).
On August 16, 2013, Bernie Kimbell organized a cancer benefit concert for former bandmate Dave Brown at Paladino's in Tarzana, Los Angeles, featuring performances by Armored Saint among others. Brown passed away on November 12, 2013.
Sound Barrier reunited on April 18, 2017, at Hollywood's Whisky a Go Go during the Ultimate Jam Night event under the "Metal Has No Color" initiative. Original members Bernie K., Spacey T., and Stanley E. performed alongside drummer Eric Valentine; special guests included Tom Morello from Rage Against the Machine and dUg Pinnick of King's X. They debuted their new single "I'm Just A Man," produced by Morello and released via his Firebrand Records label on April 28, 2017.
Members
- Bernie K. – lead vocals (1980–1987, 2017–present) (born Bernie Kimbell)
- Spacey T. – guitarist (1980–1987, 2017–present) (born Tracey Singleton)
- Stanley E. – bassist (1980–1986, 2017–present) (born Stanley Davis)
- Emil Lech – bass player (1986–1987) (born Emil Lechințeanu)
- Dave "Skavido" Brown – drummer
- Eric Valentine – drums (2017–present)
Singles
- "I'm Just a Man" (2017)
Albums
- Total Control (1983)
- Speed of Light (1986)
EPs
- Born to Rock (1984)
Music videos
- "Rock Without the Roll" (1983)
- "Born to Rock" (1984)
Bibliography
- Hale, Mark. Headbangers. Popular Culture, Ink, 1993. First edition, second printing. ISBN 1-56075-029-4. Chapter: 2763 Sound Barrier, p. 327.