Sound Barrier

Influenced by Judas Priest and Iron Maiden, among others, Sound Barrier was among the many heavy metal bands active in Los Angeles in the 1980s. The thing that set Sound Barrier apart from other metal bands was the fact that all four of its original members -- lead singer Bernie K., guitarist Spacey T., bassist/singer Stanley E., and drummer Dave "Skavido" Brown -- are black. Rock journalists were intrigued by the fact that four African Americans were playing heavy metal and Sound Barrier enjoyed a fair amount of press in the beginning.