The Band was formed in 1884 as the Rising Star Lifeboat Crew Brass Band ,by the organist of the local St. James' Church Mr Nimrod Wood , and is Barrows oldest Brass Band. It was renamed in 1888 as the Barrow Iron and Steelworks Brass Band, and later in the 1950s as the Barrow Steelworks Band after the closure of the Barrow Ironworks.

In the 1930s the Band was a formidable force, not just locally but nationwide, and in 1933 won the 100 guineas gold championship challenge cup at the annual festival , held in Belle Vue , Manchester.

 The closure of the Barrow Steelworks in 1983 was a watershed for the Band, but in the tradition of their founder Nimrod Wood , decided to continue, and the Band , now 20 years on, still thrives ,and is very much part of the heritage of the town.