Cool Banana / The Junkyard
The Story of Cool Banana & The Junkyard
It all began in August 2005, when Cool Banana came together at The Alley Cats Open Mic Night at The Tap in North End. Just a year later, on 29th September 2006, they launched the very first Junkyard Party at The Barn in Portsmouth, UK. The Junkyard quickly became known as a unique, mini-style festival held in a club setting—bringing together an eclectic mix of live bands and DJs. Over time, the event travelled to various venues, including The Fawcett Inn and Café Havana. One of the most memorable moments came in July 2009, when the team joined forces with another local promoter to host a one-day festival on Spitbank Fort—a man-made sea fort a mile out in the Solent (Click Here For Event Video). Another memorable time was when Cool Banana played at the Stonehenge Summer Solstice 2008/9.
In December 2009, Matt took on the role of publican at The Milton Arms and The Barn. During the week, it remained a friendly local pub, but at weekends it transformed into a vibrant, three-room party venue—taking the Junkyard to a whole new level. While running the venue, Matt also established a series of successful event brands, including Georgie Loves (House & Techno), Total Barnage (Happy Hardcore), Fever (Drum & Bass / Jungle), Revelations (Euphoric Trance), Tribalistic (Psy Trance), and Hard, Fast & Dirty (Hard Dance). The flagship event, however, always remained The Junkyard—a true celebration of underground music culture.
Matt collaborated with numerous local promoters, often sharing stages and spaces to host unforgettable nights. Alongside promoting events, he continued performing with Cool Banana and DJing regularly.
After five incredible, high-energy years, Matt decided to end things on a high, choosing not to renew the lease. The final Junkyard Party took place on 21st February 2015, marking the Milton Arms & The Barn Closing Party.
