Yabu Band

{{Short description|Australian musical group}}

{{Infobox musical artist

| name = Yabu Band

| image = Deadly Awards 2009 (1016).jpg

| image_size = 250px

| caption = Yabu Band perform at The Deadly Awards, 2009

| alias =

| origin = Kalgoorlie, Western Australia, Australia

| genre = Desert rock/Reggae, Aboriginal rock, roots

| years_active =

| label = 1998-present

| website =

| current_members = {{plainlist|

• Delson Stokes
• Boyd Stokes

}}

| past_members = {{Plainlist|

• Jade Masters
• Lionel Sarmardin

}}

}}

Yabu Band is an Indigenous Australian rock, roots band formed in 1998 in Kalgoorlie. The word yabu is Wongutha – a western desert tribal language – for 'rock' or 'gold'.{{cite news | work = The West Australian | publisher = Seven West Media | date = 22 December 1997 | title = Aboriginal Band to Promote Olympics | first = Jerry | last = Prately}} Core members are brothers Delson (vocals) and Boyd Stokes (guitar & vocals); and Jade Masters (drums) with Lionel Sarmardin (drums 2017). When performing live they are joined by Roy Martinez (bass), Elizabeth Gogos (vocals), Tony Shaw (didgeridoo) and Tim Ayre (keyboards)and other Supporting artist.{{cite news | work = Kalgoorlie Miner | publisher = West Australian Newspapers (Seven West Media) | date = 3 May 2009 | title = Desert Inspiration }} They won a Deadly award in 2009 for Most Promising New Talent in Music.{{cite news | work = Kalgoorlie Miner | date = 13 February 2010 | title = City Recognises Band's Success | publisher = West Australian Newspapers (Seven West Media) | first = Nick | last = Rynne }} Delson Stokes Jr was the 1999 NAIDOC Male Youth of the Year.{{cite news | work = Kalgoorlie Miner | publisher = West Australian Newspapers (Seven West Media) | date = 20 September 2002 | title = Yabu's Motto Gets Heard }} Boyd Stokes won Guitarist of the Year and Jade Masters won Drummer of the Year at the 2009 TOO SOLID Music Awards held in Perth. Yabu are a four time WAMi (West Australia Music Industry) award winner.

In May 2012 Yabu Band toured Australia to promote their single, "Petrol, Paint and Glue", which highlights indigenous abuse of inhalants. Tracks from their next album, My Tjila, were performed. They were supported by Kimberley musician, John Bennett.{{cite web | url = http://www.abc.net.au/local/audio/2012/05/16/3504133.htm | title = Yabu Band Tours with a Powerful Message | last = Hinaki | first = Tangiora | publisher = ABC North West WA. Australian Broadcasting Corporation | date = 17 May 2012 | access-date = 16 August 2012 }} "Petrol, Paint and Glue" was nominated as Single of the Year at the 2012 Deadlys – to be held in September.{{cite web | url = http://www.vibe.com.au/vote-deadlys-2012.php | title = The 2012 Deadlys | publisher = Vibe Australia | year = 2012 | access-date = 16 August 2012 }} Delson had written the track twelve years earlier after a family member had died from petrol sniffing.{{cite web | url = http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2012/s3516082.htm | title = Yabu Band Puts Spotlight on Substance Abuse | last = Bourke | first = Emily | work = The World Today | publisher = Australian Broadcasting Corporation | date = 1 June 2012 | access-date = 16 August 2012 }}

Yabu Band released a debut EP in March 2021.