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Washboard Jungle is a four-man group that combines elements of folk music, classic rock, comedy, dance, and performance art.Jan Stuart, review of Washboard Jungle in "Bad Clean Fun" at HERE Arts Center, New York Newsday, Feb. 21, 1994 The members include Bob Goldberg (keyboards, accordion, bulbul tarang, percussion, vocals), Henry Hample (banjo, fiddle, mandolin, ukulele, percussion, vocals), McPaul Smith (bass guitar, jug, percussion, vocals), and Stuart Cameron Vance (guitars, kazoo, percussion, vocals). They took their name from the 1955 film Blackboard Jungle.Tim Coffey, "The Boys in the Jug Band," Washington Blade, Nov. 8, 1991
The group was founded in New York City in 1989 by Henry Hample,Joshua Lowe, "Washboards at DC Arts Center," Baltimore Alternative, November 1991 the son of noted humorist Stuart Hample.Dale Anderson, "Dreams Grow Up," Buffalo News, Oct. 19, 1990 Often referred to as a "post-modern jug band,"Wayne Robins, "Extremes From Punk to 'Purple,'" New York Newsday, Feb. 1, 1991Paul E. Comeau, "The Wash Cycle" CD review, Dirty Linen, December 1994/January 1995 they've used up to 40 musical instruments and household utensils in their live shows, including washboards, spoons, bongos, pennywhistle, melodica, a potato masher, a carrot grater, a toy hammer, a vacuum cleaner, water glasses, and digital samplers.Chuck Cuminale, "Gabba Gabba," Rochester City Newspaper, March 14, 1991Eve Zibart, "It's a Jungle Out There," Washington Post, June 26, 1992Blake Green, "Heads Up: Washboard Jungle," New York Newsday, Feb. 15, 1994"Surfacing," New York Times, March 6, 1994 They reinterpret traditional , and the songs of other artists ranging from Hoagy Carmichael to Pink Floyd, but also write original songs in a comic vein.
The group has a longstanding relationship with the New York experimental performance space Dixon Place,Wif Stenger, "Cement Mixer," New York Press, Sept. 15, 1989John Hammond, review of "Bad Neighbors: The Soap Opera" at Dixon Place, New York Native, Oct. 29, 1990Robert Makin, "Washboard Jungle," East Coast Rocker, March 6, 1991 and has performed at other New York theatrical and music venues, including regular appearances in the "No Shame" series at the Public Theater."'Chowder' Time," New York Daily News, Nov. 30, 1992Susan Shapiro, "Tryout Puts the Rest to 'Shame,'" New York Post, Dec. 10, 1992 They have also toured to festivals, colleges, and other venues from Maine to North Carolina. They sometimes perform for children,"Stuff for Kids," New York Daily News, Feb. 20, 1993 and they continue to receive airplay on kids' radio programs. They officially disbanded in 1994 but have reunited several times since.
A poster advertising the band is visible briefly during a scene in the 1993 film Manhattan Murder Mystery, behind Woody Allen's character.
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