Female fronted White Metal band founded during 1977 by guitarist Monte Cooley. BARNABAS suffered throughout their career by direct attacks from prominent Christian lecturers who believed the band's aggressive Metal stance was at odds with promoting their beliefs. BARNABAS was created when Cooley placed an advert on a guitar centre bulletin board pulling in drummer Lance Johnson and bassist Gary Mann. Next to enroll was vocalist Carolyn Joy. Early live gigs would also see second guitarist David Storrs in the ranks. However, within the first year Joy, Storrs and Johnson all bade their farewell. Briefly a drummer known as Roy plugged the gap before Kris Klingensmith was inducted. Nancy Jo Mann on lead vocals brought the band back up to full strength as BARNABAS made their entrance with a 1979 7" single 'Directory Assistance' followed by the 1980 album 'Hear The Light'.

Founder Monte Cooley then parted ways with his own project. BARNABAS filled the vacancy by utilising two new guitarists in Kris Brauninger and Mick Donner as the whole outfit relocated to Des Moines, Iowa. With 1981's 'Find Your Heart A Home' album in the bag Brauninger was next to leave being superseded by Brian Belew. BARNABAS would go on to issue 'Approaching Light Speed' and 1986's 'Little Foxes' but following a swansong gig at the Toronto Greenfest in 1985 opted to disband.

Jo Mann put her energies into establishing W.E.B.A.- 'Women Exploited By Abortion'. A compilation, 'The Gospel According To Barnabas', remixed by MASTEDON's John and Dino Elefante, arrived in 1992 but it would not be until the late 90s that CD re-issues of BARNABAS albums made it into the stores. A subsequent CD of rarities and 1982 rehearsal tapes, released by Millenium 8 Productions and limited to 1000 copies, billed as 'Artifacts And Relics' testified as to the enduring interest in the band.