The Brat Attack
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 2001 |
| Founder | Dave Zegarac |
| Defunct | 2009 |
| Headquarters | Winnipeg , Canada |
| Products | Punk rock music |
The Brat Attack was a politically charged Canadian punk rock group originating from Winnipeg, Manitoba. According to their 2007 biography, they identified as a political punk ensemble aiming to promote social transformation and combat injustice by addressing pertinent issues, emphasizing meaningful messages over conventional relationship topics. The band attracted controversy primarily due to frontman Davey Brat's legal troubles involving charges of distributing child pornography and a hit-and-run incident with protesters.
History
Established in 2001, The Brat Attack initially consisted of Dave Zegarac (vocals, guitar), Jessica Brown (vocals), Ricky Green (bass), Jeff Tetrault (drums), and Chuck McGee (guitar). After Brown and Green departed, Anastasia Chipelski joined the lineup. In 2002, this formation released their first album, One Revolution Per Minute, on Zegarac's own label, 3rd Generation Records. The record, which included some earlier compositions and was recorded within a 24-hour period, garnered favorable critiques.
Building on this momentum, the band signed with Steel Capped Records, which issued their sophomore album Destruction Sound System in late 2003. By this time, only Zegarac and Tetrault remained from the original members. The revamped roster featured vocalists Andy Blum and Seana Wolfe, bassist Darwin Baker, drummer Kent McLeod, guitarists Eric Weiss, Santiago Silva, Ben Rodecker, and saxophonist Darryl Reilly. Although the album received mixed reactions, it was recognized as one of Winnipeg’s standout punk releases of recent years.
After parting ways with Steel Capped Records, Zegarac reissued Destruction Sound System through 3rd Generation Recordz. In 2005, the band signed with Underground Operations and released From This Beauty Comes Chaos and Mayhem, produced by Mark Spicoluk and Steve Rizun. This lineup included Matt Mayor on bass, Steve Boyd handling percussion, Johnny Perrin on drums, Adam Mott and Billy Bigford on guitars, along with 17-year-old vocalist Chanelle Birks, whose distinctive voice attracted critical acclaim. Mayor was eventually replaced by Colin Irvine.
Throughout 2005, The Brat Attack toured extensively, performing at events such as the Warped Tour, Edgefest, Canadian Music Week, and supporting acts like The Flatliners and Protest the Hero in Toronto. After a brief disbandment, they reassembled with new members: bassist Dave Halcrow, guitarist Dustin Jackson, drummer Chris Ferguson, alongside Zegarac.
In April 2008, Rebel Time Records signed the band and released Those Who Sow Sorrow Shall Reap Rage in November. Jeff Tetrault returned to drums; vocals were shared between Birks and Ryan Sanders with Sean Lewis contributing spoken word elements. The band dissolved soon after this release.
In 2010, a digital compilation titled B All You Can B was released featuring B-sides, demos, and live tracks.
Following their tenure with The Brat Attack, former members pursued various paths: Andy Blum joined the boy band 'The Afterbeat'; Darryl Reilly and Darwin Baker created 'Sub City Dwellers'; Santiago Silva co-founded 'Project: Constellation'; Adam Mott transitioned into music management.
In February 2022, Zegarac was charged following an incident where he drove through protesters at a Winnipeg freedom convoy. Later that year he faced arrest on charges related to child pornography.
Zegarac’s death in a fatal vehicle accident was confirmed in September 2024 by his wife and multiple sources including the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.
Discography
- 2002: One Revolution Per Minute (3rd Generation Recordz)
- 2003: Destruction Sound System (Steel Capped Records)
- 2004: Destruction Sound System (2) (3rd Generation Recordz)
- 2005: From This Beauty Comes Chaos And Mayhem (Underground Operations)
- 2008: Those Who Sow Sorrow Shall Reap Rage (Rebel Time Records)
- 2010: B All You Can B (3rd Generation Recordz)
External links
- The Brat Attack on Myspace