The all black SOUND BARRIER evolved from the demise of the R&B oriented, seven-piece strong COLOUR in 1979. COLOUR had steadily become more Rock oriented thanks to the recruitment of Tinton Falls, New Jersey born guitarist Spacey T. However, alongside COLOUR drummer Dave Brown, Spacey formed the Metal band he had always longed for in SOUND BARRIER. The first line-up of the group included bassist Keith Roster in a group that, initially, went for more of a Progressive feel until Roster departed and was replaced with Stanley E., rounding out a line-up fronted by vocalist Bernie K. SOUND BARRIER cut a four track demo with producer Neftali Santiago, a hybrid of Funk and Metal, which landed a deal with MCA Records.

Despite laudable press for the debut album, 1983's 'Total Control' - notably seeing all elements of Funk stripped out, and valuable support slots to no less than VAN HALEN, sales were not forthcoming and SOUND BARRIER was duly dropped by MCA. Undaunted, retained the momentum with the independent mini-album 'Born To Rock' on Pitbull Records which highlighted more than anywhere the band's preference for the colours red and black and contained a cover of STEPPENWOLF's 'Born To Be Wild'.

The band was picked up by Metal Blade for third release 'Speed Of Light', by which time Stanley E., joining LIBERTY, had been succeeded by ex-TERRIF bassist Emil Lech, a native of Rumania. The album includes a cover of THIN LIZZY's 'Hollywood (Down On Your Luck)'.

The band fell apart once Italian six string hotshot ALEX MASI got into the band and set about taking control leaving the remaining original members no option but to quit the SOUND BARRIER ship. Soon enough the band evolved into MASI. Both Dave Brown and Bernie K. appeared on the 1987 debut MASI release 'Fire In The Rain'.

After a period in late 1986 working with BLACK SHEEP bassist Willie Basse in SPACEY T'S LIBERTY, original SOUND BARRIER guitarist Spacey T briefly joined MOTHER'S FINEST in the early 90's on their initial European touring stint in support of the 'Black Radio Won't Play This Record' album. However, he had been replaced by a keyboard player surely in a bid to get back to the days of Mike Keck in the 70's by the time they returned.

Lech turned up in JOSHUA whilst Brown formed TOTAL ECLIPSE with ex-BUSBOYS guitarist Victor Johnson, who had guested on the 'Speed Of Light' album. By 1998 Johnson was a member of SAMMY HAGAR's touring band THE WABORITAS. Spacey T. joined FISHBONE.