Originally from sun baked Tucson, Arizona, Bay Area pop alchemist, Brad Brooks has a big voice and he intends to use it for dastardly good. With tales of love on his sleeve, ex-stripper librarians and manic tourists, his is an extraordinarily unique perspective on a city and its delightful debauchery. Cinematic, orchestrated, and moody, his elaborate west coast baroque sound, rocks, pops and breaks your heart in all the right places. Either solo, or with his band, Brad’s 70’s piano driven style of psychedelic persuasion moves from constructed pop anthems, through Jacques Brel-esque satirical waltzes, to intimate guitar ballads.

Brooks' latest feature release "Spill Collateral Love" evokes a dramatic and orchestral pop soundscape: think huge, bright Circus Tent being torn down on a rainy flatland in a vintage Fellini film. The 13 song CD is Brad Brooks' best so far, a visceral and psychedelic mix that highlights the Oakland songwriter's exceptional vocal range and bold command of powerful pop craftsmanship. Centered on a piano and acoustic guitar base, the expert band highlights a host of musical luminaries, including Paul Hoaglin from The Mother Hips & Sensations. Brooks's disc is rooted in a kind of Victorian California romanticism; his vocal approach is earnest and dramatic, but maintains a poise and sense of wry wit that keeps the release organic yet keenly produced. Brooks even includes tape loops from S.F.'s now-defunct carnival funhouse Musee Mechanique on a track, pushing the bands vaudevillian influences to the forefront of his original sound.

Brad also: Has sung 3 songs on Guitar Hero 2, as well as over 15 songs on Karaoke Revolution presents American Idol and Karaoke Revolutions 1,2,3,4

Has something from the Johnny Cash Show 1971
Is using a child development lecture tape as a means of political propaganda
A Klickitat Band Camp member
A chime groupie. Was/Is a rubber chicken.

Description

Brooks' latest feature release "Spill Collateral Love" evokes a dramatic and orchestral pop soundscape: think huge, bright Circus tent being torn down on a rainy flatland in a vintage Fellini film. The 13 song recording is Brad Brooks' best so far, a visceral and psychedelic mix that highlights the Oakland songwriter's exceptional vocal range and bold command of powerful pop craftsmanship. Brooks' disc is rooted in a kind of Victorian California romanticism; his vocal approach is earnest and dramatic, but maintains a poise and sense of wry wit that keeps the release organic yet keenly produced. Brooks even includes tape loops from S.F.'s now-defunct carnival funhouse Musee Mechanique on a track, pushing the bands vaudevillian influences to the forefront of his original sound.

Album Notes

A couple of things you should know about this record.

1) I wanted it to be recorded on 2 inch tape if it killed me!
99% of it is. The 1% percent, you'll never know! E-mail me if you can guess.
2) I wanted to make the whole thing with Paul Hoaglin as my right hand man. Sometimes he was my left hand man too. This guy I cannot say enough about as a friend/cohort, and anyone who has had the pleasure of playing with him (The Mother Hips, Etienne de Rocher, Sensations) knows what a monster this man is as a player.
3) I wanted more lyrical depth and organic orchestration. Not fluff, but drama and real strings! These were provided by an amazing trio of Patty Espeseth, Teri Untalen, and Alan Molina. They provided just what the doctor, and nurse ordered at every turn. (Where's my medication?) Bravo!
4) It was recorded and produced at a few studios and I'd like to thank all the folks involved.
Scott Solter @ Tiny Telephone
Davy Vain @ The Groove Room
Sir Shay Scott @ Klickitat band Camp
Paul Hoaglin @ Tiny, the Groove, and Klickitat Band Camp.
I hope you enjoy it and that it enriches your lives in one way or another! Or at least makes you laugh once!

Recording Location

Tiny Telephone (San Francisco), Klickitat Band Camp (Portland), The Groove Room (San Rafael)