Brett Gurewitz facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Brett Gurewitz
Gurewitz in 2007
Background information
Birth name	Brett W. Gurewitz
Also known as	Mr. Brett Brett Religion The Legendary Starbolt
Born	(1962-05-12) May 12, 1962 (age 63) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Origin	Southern California, U.S.
Died	Error: Need valid death date (first date): year, month, day
Genres	Punk rock melodic hardcore skate punk
Occupation(s)	Musician songwriter producer
Instruments	Guitar
Years active	1979–present
Labels	Epitaph

Brett W. Gurewitz (born May 12, 1962), also known as Mr. Brett, is an American musician and music producer. He is most famous for being a co-founder and guitarist of the punk band Bad Religion. He also owns a record company called Epitaph Records and several other related labels.

Brett Gurewitz has produced many albums for Bad Religion. He has also worked with other bands on his Epitaph Records label, like NOFX, Rancid, and Pennywise. He was also part of a music project called Error. In addition, Gurewitz helped start Black Mask Studios, a company that publishes comic books and graphic novels.

Gurewitz started Bad Religion in 1980 with Greg Graffin, Jay Bentley, and Jay Ziskrout. He left the band in 1983 after they released two albums and one EP. He rejoined three years later and recorded five more albums with them. In 1993, the band signed with Atlantic Records. Because his record label, Epitaph, became very successful, Gurewitz left Bad Religion again in 1994 to focus on running the label full-time. During this time, he released a song called "Hate You" in 1996 with his project Daredevils. By 1999, Gurewitz had successfully completed a program to improve his health. Two years later, he rejoined Bad Religion. Since then, he has appeared on six more studio albums with the band.

Music Career

Bad Religion's Journey

Brett Gurewitz was 18 years old when he formed Bad Religion in Woodland Hills in 1980. He started the band with Greg Graffin (vocals), Jay Ziskrout (drums), and Jay Bentley (bass). All four band members went to El Camino Real High School. Soon after, they began writing songs and played their first concert, opening for Social Distortion. In 1981, Bad Religion recorded a six-song EP (Extended Play record) called Bad Religion. It was first released as a 7-inch record and then re-released as a 12-inch record.

Bad Religion's first full album, How Could Hell Be Any Worse?, came out in 1982. During the recording, Ziskrout left the band and Pete Finestone took over on drums. This album is considered one of Bad Religion's most important works. Gurewitz's father loaned the band $3,000 to help pay for it. The band was surprised by its success, selling 10,000 copies in less than a year. The sound of this record was much better than their first EP. Even though he wasn't officially a member yet, Greg Hetson (from Circle Jerks) played a guitar solo on the song "Part III".

In 1983, Bad Religion released their second full album, Into the Unknown. This album was not as successful because of its poor production. It was a big change from their usual style, moving towards progressive rock with a lot of keyboards. While recording one song, Bentley and Finestone left the band. They were replaced by Paul Dedona on bass and Davy Goldman on drums. The album Into the Unknown is no longer being printed, but it is included in their 30th anniversary box set.

After Into the Unknown was released, Bad Religion broke up for a short time. They reformed without Gurewitz to make the 1985 EP Back to the Known. This EP brought back the band's original punk rock sound. It also showed influences from popular bands at the time, like Hüsker Dü and The Descendents. Soon after, Bad Religion went on a break again.

The original members who made How Could Hell Be Any Worse? (plus Greg Hetson) got back together in 1986. Bad Religion then released their highly praised album Suffer in 1988. This album was a big comeback for Bad Religion. It also helped define the Southern California punk sound that became popular through their label, Epitaph Records, which Gurewitz owned. This reunited group recorded two more popular albums: No Control (1989) and Against the Grain (1990). Finestone left the group in early 1991.

Bobby Schayer replaced Finestone, and Bad Religion recorded their next album, Generator. This album was finished in the spring of 1991 but was released a year later. For this album, Bad Religion also filmed their first music video for the song "Atomic Garden". This was also their first song released as a single. In 1993, the band left Epitaph Records and signed with Atlantic Records. Atlantic released their next album, Recipe for Hate. This album was somewhat successful and was the first Bad Religion album to appear on any Billboard music charts. Two videos were made for the album's songs, "American Jesus" and "Struck a Nerve".

Bad Religion became even more famous with their next album, Stranger Than Fiction, released in 1994. This album included their well-known songs "Infected" and "21st Century (Digital Boy)". These songs are still often played at their concerts. After this album was finished, Gurewitz left Bad Religion again. He wanted to focus on the future of Epitaph Records. This was because The Offspring became one of the biggest bands in the mid-1990s, and Gurewitz was spending more and more time at Epitaph's offices. Brian Baker replaced Gurewitz during the Stranger Than Fiction tour. Bad Religion recorded two albums without Gurewitz.

In 1999, after being away from the band for five years, Gurewitz reunited with Graffin. They co-wrote the song "Believe It," which appeared on Bad Religion's 11th album, The New America (2000). Two years later, after leaving Atlantic Records, Gurewitz officially rejoined the band. Bad Religion then signed with Epitaph Records again. Schayer also left the band around this time, and Brooks Wackerman replaced him. With six members, Bad Religion recorded and released several albums: The Process of Belief (2002), The Empire Strikes First (2004), New Maps of Hell (2007), The Dissent of Man (2010), and True North (2013). On True North, Gurewitz sang lead vocals on the song Dharma and the Bomb. Because of his work with Epitaph Records, Gurewitz does not often perform live with the band. He mostly focuses on writing songs and recording. He does sometimes play live shows with the band when they are close to his home in Los Angeles. For example, he appears on the band's DVD Live at the Palladium.

Error Project

In 2003, Brett Gurewitz was asked by Atticus Ross and his younger brother Leopold to play guitar and bass in a music project called Error. Atticus Ross was a member of 12 Rounds and worked with Nine Inch Nails. Error's only release so far is a self-titled EP, which came out in 2004. After the EP was released, it was said that Error was looking for a singer for tours and a full album. However, the future of the project has been discussed a lot online. In 2005, Error recorded one new song, "Wild World." This song appeared on a tribute album to The Birthday Party called Release the Bats: The Birthday Party as Heard Through the Meat Grinder of Three One G, which was released on April 4, 2006. Error has been on a break since then, and it is not clear if the project will return in the future.

Personal Life

Brett Gurewitz grew up in Woodland Hills, Los Angeles. He was raised in the Jewish faith.

In 1997, Gurewitz took a temporary break from Epitaph Records to focus on his well-being.

He is married to Gina Davis, who used to work at Epitaph. They live in California. He believes in deism, which is a belief in a creator who does not interfere with the universe.

Selected Discography

See also

In Spanish: Brett Gurewitz para niños