The Brains
| Company type | Rock band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | late 1970s |
| Headquarters | Atlanta, Georgia , United States |
| Products | Albums: The Brains (1980), Electronic Eden (1981), Dancing Under Streetlights (EP, 1982) |
The Brains were a rock group originating from Atlanta, Georgia, active during the late 1970s and early 1980s, with songwriter Tom Gray at the forefront. Their debut album, The Brains (1980), was produced by Steve Lillywhite under Mercury Records and included the track "Money Changes Everything," initially released in 1978 and later popularized by Cyndi Lauper in 1983. Following this, they released a second album titled Electronic Eden in 1981, also produced by Lillywhite, along with an independent EP called Dancing Under Streetlights, before the group dissolved. The song "Heart in the Street" from Electronic Eden was adapted by Manfred Mann's Earth Band as "Heart on the Street" on their 1980 release, Chance.
The Brains regularly played at 688 Club, a prominent new wave venue in Atlanta. Their video for Dancing Under Streetlights was shot outside this club and received limited airplay on MTV in early 1983. Significant live appearances included opening for Devo at Atlanta’s Fox Theatre in August 1980, headlining at Albany, New York’s J.B. Scott's in April 1981, and performing at Charlotte, North Carolina’s Milestone Club in May 1982.
Drummer Charles Wolff (born October 12, 1951) passed away from pancreatic cancer on September 11, 2010, at the age of 58.
After The Brains disbanded, bassist Keith Christopher became a member of The Georgia Satellites, eventually succeeded by Rick Price, who had been The Brains’ guitarist. Mauro Magellan, who played drums in The Brains’ final lineup, was also the original drummer for The Satellites. Tom Gray remained active in music and formed Delta Moon during the late 1990s.
Gray later undertook efforts to remaster The Brains’ catalog and incorporate new recordings. He died of cancer on October 16, 2021, aged 70.
Final lineup
- Tom Gray – vocals, keyboards (deceased 2021)
- Keith Christopher – bass guitar
- Rick Price – guitar, vocals
- Mauro Magellan – drums
Former members
- Charles Wolff – drums (deceased 2010)
- Brian Smithwick – bass guitar
Albums
- 1980: The Brains
- 1981: Electronic Eden
- 1982: Dancing Under Streetlights (EP)