With around 30 regular attendees and up to 100 occaisional players or visitors (or Gig Tarts- as they are affectionally called) Barking Bateria has a diverse and eclectic mix of participants and supporters.

The band was first created by Anthropology lecturers, Lionel Sims and Chris Knight, in 1996, and over the early years its basis firmly rested with their students. However, each year the mebers draw in their friends, and many people continued to come after graduation, drawing more and more into the web. The popularity of the group drew students from other disciplines as well as many members of the general public in, all who discovered the ease and fun of our group and became permanent features.

In September 2004 the anthropology department was moved by the University of East London to the new 21st century Docklands campus, and the band followed, but decided to retain their roots through maintaining the name as Barking was the original location.

Today, the band is organised and mainly administered still by Lionel, the Mestres; Dan, Stefan Kaz and Jaqs, as well as much assistance and deliberation form all!