Biography

With drummer Regan Hagar, guitarist Stone Gossard formed Brad as a side project after his main band, Pearl Jam, became superstars in 1992. Also featuring vocalist Shawn Smith and bassist Jeremy Toback, the group recorded their debut album in October of that year. The band released their first album, Shame, in April of 1993 to mixed reviews and lukewarm sales. Four years later, they delivered their second record, Interiors, to poor sales but a more enthusiastic cult audience started developing. Brad supported it with a tour opening for Ben Harper while their respective bands were on hiatus. Fans of the group championed the disc, but they would have to wait until 2002 before the group came together for another album. With Mike Berg taking Jeremy Toback's spot for most of the disc, Welcome to Discovery Park was released that August. Following an Australian tour in 2003, the band began work on a fourth album titled Best Friends? Though the recordings were in the can, the album wouldn't see release until 2010. In the meantime, 2005 saw the band release Brad Vs. Satchel, a more unofficial collection of unfinished demo recordings by both Brad and vocalist Smith's other project Satchel. In October 2007 Kevin Wood of Malfunkshun joined the band occasionally as an additional guitarist. His membership was somewhat nebulous and unofficial. Things began to move more quickly for Brad once Best Friends? finally saw release on Monkeywrench Inc. in August of 2010. The band's fifth studio album, United We Stand, was released on Razor & Tie Records in early 2012. Smith died at his home on April 3, 2019, due to a torn aorta and high blood pressure. Brad had been working on material at the time of Smith's death, and they announced that their 2023 release, In the Moment That You're Born, would be their final album. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine and Bradley Torreano, Rovi