Isaak Klaus
Accordion/Vocals
The 2020 Big Squeeze Polka State Champion, Isaak Klaus was born with a pretzel in one hand and a sausage-on-a-stick in the other. His love for polka music began from listening to his dad's collection of polka CD's and from watching all of the awesome bands at Wurstfest.
The frontman for The Lederhosen Junkies, Isaak's has played at many festivals across Texas including the Tomball German Heritage Fest, the Fredericksburg Oktoberfest, the Muenster Germanfest, and the New Braunfels Wurstfest. His zany outlook on life, mixed with his unusual knowledge of historical facts, and his love for all things German makes him one of the most interesting men in the world. With his easy going attitude and his irresistible charm, his clean cut appearance gives the Junkies a resemblance of respectability.
Sean Malicki
Trumpet/Vocals
Don't spill your beer when Sean Malicki toots his horn! Sean isn't afraid to jazz it up when playing your favorite German tunes. He is no stranger to polka music either. His grandparents played in a folk band and passed on their love of music to their grandson.
Watch out when Sean's on stage, he sometimes breaks out some of his signature dance moves and wows the crowd!
Jose "NJ" Noriega
Sousaphone/Trombone
Jose Noriega, (NJ to his close friends) handles the bass side of the Junkies' shows. His diverse experience performing in Tex-Mex, classical, cumbia, conjunto, punk-ska, reggae, and polka groups solidified his place on stage with the Junkies.
NJ is by far the smartest member of the group. He holds a Master of Music degree in Tuba Performance from the University of Texas Pan American (now UTRGV) and a Bachelor of Music degree in Tuba Performance from Texas A&M University Corpus Christi. He is also a retired band director, having taught middle school band for the Clark County School District in Nevada. His band performed live on Vegas PBS and was featured in the Las Vegas Hispanic Heritage Parade.
Since 2022, NJ has also been a member of five time Latin Grammy Winner Los Kumbia Kings on trombone. Other groups he has regularly worked with include Grupo Tan-Tan , Bexar Brass, The Swingin’ Dutchmen, Boerne Village Band, Tarasco Tropical, Pinata Protest, Cool Under Fire, The Skajects, and Hans Gruber and the Die Hards.
Rebecca Palmer
Drums
Hailing from San Antonio, Rebecca Palmer is bound to keep the beats going. Currently studying music at the University of Texas San Antonio, she spends much of her time perfecting her skills. Music is her passion and she dabbles in everything from drums, to singing, to piano. If it makes a musical note, Rebecca has played it.