watch Justin Vernon & Megafaun’s high school band play a battle of the bands in 1998

Before he retreated to the woods and adopted the stage name Bon Iver, Justin Vernon went to high school. And like many high schoolers in the late '90s, he was apparently not immune to the decade's ska craze. Pitchfork points out that video has surfaced of his high school band Mount Vernon playing a battle of the bands in 1998, and it's up-strokes and horn players galore.

The band also included Brad Cook, Phil Cook, and Joe Westerlund, all of whom would later play with Vernon in DeYarmond Edison, eventually disbanding to form Megafaun sans Justin. At the BOTB, Mount Vernon plays a 33 minute set and wins the battle reaping $300 in prize money. You can watch the full set HERE.