1. . So “Who” is in Junk Poet, where are you from?

Jon “Fu” Fullerton vocals,
Jay Lyon guitar and backing vox,
Rich Lyon drums,
Joel Grau bass.
We’re from Ames and Des Moines
3 of us have lived both places.

2. How did it start and Why the Name?

(JOEL) It started with a different
band in 1994 called Bonegrind that brothers Jay and Rich Lyon were a part of. I joined after seeing an ad looking for a bass player on a bulletin board in Main Street Music. We parted ways with the original singer and added Jon Fullerton.

The name came from Jon “Fu” after a song called Junk Poet we wrote and decided it was a cool band name.

(JAY) Yeah with the new direction we took after half the band was replaced, the name didn't’t seem to fit so Fu proposed the new name
and we became Junk Poet.

3. Various incarnations of the band?

The original Junk Poet was as it is today, Jay and Rich Lyon, Joel Grau and Jon Fullerton. That was the lineup for the writing and recording
of both the albums (1994-1996) but in the fall of 1996 Rich decided he didn't’t want to be in the band… or any band so he left and was replaced by Paul Thompson. We played with Paul for maybe a little less than a year before he went on to focus more on the Tyler Thompson Band, so we got Greg Stravers on the drums sometime in 1997.

Eventually, in 1998 due to personal reasons, Fu and the band parted ways and Matt Biegger got the job. We played a few shows that summer including the Mancow Lazer Luau, but before the end of fall it was clear whatever was holding us together to start was no longer there and we broke up.

4. What triggered the Reunion /Reformation of the Band?

(JAY) Well Rich and Joel had been in contact in 2007 and started hanging out. They started talking about making music again which Rich
hadn't’t really done since he left back
in 1996. I had been out of performing bands for a couple years at that
point but Rich talked to me about starting playing again with Joel
and I thought it would be cool,
but the only right way to do it would be to have Fu on vocals so it was all original, with the core creative engine.

8. What is different about the writing recording process from years past?

(JOEL) We still write in the same fashion, all of us in a room doing it together. It’s a very natural process for us.

(JAY) Maybe we’re a little weird that way but for the most part our songs all tend to come together while we’re all there working on ideas. It’s pretty spontaneous with some tweaks here and there after the main ideas are established..


9. How have the changes in the technology - changed the process for you or is it basically the same? 

(JAY) I’d say the advances in technology have been really great for several reasons namely to supplement my horrible memory. We usually have everything mic’d up and ready to record when we’re practicing or writing so if anything comes to us we have it captured to use later if we want. Back when we were together before, we’d jam all the time but not always have a way to capture it so we lost some songs and ideas that may have developed. Then there’s the album recording process now which we can do right where we practice rather than having to book a studio and fork over a small fortune.

(JOEL) Jay’s studio has made the recording process much easier for us-other than that I believe our sound is still true to the original stuff-the songs may be more developed, but probably not due to technology.

10. What musical training / lessons did you have growing up ?

(JOEL) I had none, just plugging in the bass and playing a lot.

(JAY) Rich and I had a few lessons around 12 & 13 but we’re mostly self-taught. I think Fu was in some choir stuff in school, or maybe some boy band or something since he’s not here to defend himself. ?

11. Weapons of Choice - guitars , amps , drums... 

Joel - Fender P Bass, Sunn tube head, Trace Elliot 4x10 and a Sunn 4x10

Jay – Gibson Les Pauls and Marshall amps with some effects sprinkled here and there. Gotta have a Dunlop Crybaby.

Rich currently plays a Yamaha 4 piece kit with (mostly) Zildjian cymbals.

Fu uses Shure mics

12. Live performances differ a lot from recording - how do you all prepare - practice?

(JOEL) nobody ever talks about how to practice -what works , just thought we throw that in)  Practice as much as possible, usually organize a set list a few weeks before shows and hammer them out in order.  Continuous writing and Jamming to keep it fresh as well .

13. Over the years you guys have played on the same bill with many bands?

 What are some of  the better know ones that where interesting?
Slipknot, Stone Sour, Smiling Jack, Helmet, Disturbed, Mancow show with Anthrax and many others, Kings X, I’m sure I’m missing some.

We found photos of a couple noteworthy others..

14. Favorite shows?

(JOEL) Helmet

(JAY) Yeah getting to play with Helmet was really cool. I considered it one of the best days of my life for a while. I’d have to say though our first show since getting back together is my favorite now. I had no expectations. I thought “who would care about us still?” It was 10 years later, but the place was packed, sold out, we played well, and personally I was just euphoric for a couple days. We have it all captured with high quality video and audio so we hope to have that ready for release sometime this year.

15. Worst horror story? What happen at Davey’s? 

(JOEL) Fu and I got so intoxicated we didn’t know where we were, let alone the songs needed to be played. The keys got locked in the van and in trying to get them out we broke a big side window. Then there was a huge storm on the way home and we had a broken down beer case duck taped in place of a window.

(JAY) If you have to break a window on a van make sure it’s a small one. They’re much cheaper.

16..Major influences musically ?

Joel-Alice in Chains-Chili Peppers-Sabbath-Tool

Jay- Zeppelin, Hendrix, Sabbath, AIC, Metallica (old), Pantera, soooo many more..

17.Who ( Bands and Musicians) gets no credit that you think should?

(JOEL) Us (kidding)  actually a large majority of the Des Moines scene needs to be looked at, to start naming them all off is bound to piss somebody off, really a lot of great bands here

(JAY) That’s tough. There are a lot of really good bands all over that just never heard. I think that is every bands real challenge, finding their audience.

20. What do you want for Christmas/ New Year 2010
...do you deserve anything? 
(JOEL) I want 40 dollars and million dollar gift certificate at Tasty Tacos.

21. Name your favorite Christmas TV special?
Album? 

(JOEL) National Lampoons Christmas Vacation.

(JAY) How about Bob and Doug’s Christmas album?

22. Any New Years predictions?

(JOEL) I’ll get some killer new calendars.

23. What did we forget to Ask ?

Ironic they forgot to answer too ....

So we 'll give promo's for them

Officail Site

Junk Poet myspace
check out videos of
Junk Poet's Tunes
- Goop Video "

Junk Poet Facebook

New Video- New Mucis Clip
on Chads Facebook of one the latest shows

YouTube "Suicide" Acoustic and
More Dangerous Music Video


Thank You Jay - Joel - Fu and Rich ! 

There  is a lot of local Rock History with Junk Poet we are Happy you agreed to be our victims !