Junk Poet - Beyond The Stage

Beyond The Stage — Junk Poet (Des Moines, Iowa)

Interview and performance segment featuring Junk Poet for the original Beyond The Stage documentary series.

This episode blends in-depth interviews with live performances of four songs, Vessel, Wait, Two Steps, and Nightmind capturing the band in a raw, honest setting reflective of the Des Moines music scene at the time. This particular lineup of Junk Poet featured:

Wade Thompson — bass

Jon Fullerton — vocals

Jay Lyon — guitar

Rich Lyon — drums

All performance footage for this episode was filmed at The House of Bricks in Des Moines, Iowa, a cornerstone bar and music venue that supported countless local and touring acts before closing its doors. The venue played a critical role in shaping Des Moines’ independent music culture.

All performance audio was professionally recorded by Dave Stalder, a respected and enduring staple of the Des Moines music community. Dave’s talent, dedication, and generosity elevated every project he touched, including Beyond The Stage. He has since passed on and this episode stands as part of the legacy he left behind.

Beyond The Stage was a documentary-style series focused on local and emerging bands from Des Moines and the surrounding areas. The project spanned 11 episodes and was completely self-funded, with production assistance provided by close friends on a volunteer basis. These videos are being reposted years later as an archive, preserving a moment in Des Moines music history that deserves to live on.