While often considered simply a side-project of Stone's, Brad had a sound all their own, due to the wide variety of influences brought to the band by its members. The distinctive vocals of Shawn Smith are a major factor in this sound.
Shawn Smith contributed on the title-track for the Belgian group Arsenal on their album Lotuk. He spent his 2008 summer touring along with the band.
Origin Seattle, Washington, USA
Genre(s) Alternative rock, neo-psychedelia
Years active 1992–present
Label(s) Epic, Redline
Associated acts Malfunkshun, Pearl Jam, Satchel, Pigeonhed
Website www.bradcorporation.com
Members
Stone Gossard
Regan Hagar
Shawn Smith
Jeremy Toback
Mike Berg
* History
Brad formed officially in 1992, although the band members had been playing together for a long time before that. The band's line-up was composed of vocalist Shawn Smith, guitarist Stone Gossard, bassist Jeremy Toback, and drummer Regan Hagar. The band originally wanted to go by the name Shame, however the band found that the name was already taken by a band featuring musician Brad Wilson.[1] Instead, the band took the name Brad and decided to name its debut album Shame. Shame, released on April 27, 1993, was recorded in roughly 20 days, with many tracks taken from in-studio jam sessions. Shame, featuring a raw sound and an eclectic mix of styles, was released to mixed reviews and moderate sales.[2] The track "20th Century" was a minor hit in the UK.
The band's follow-up album, Interiors, released on June 24, 1997, was much more polished. Interiors was met with poor sales, however the band saw its cult audience expand.[2] The single from Interiors, "The Day Brings", features Mike McCready from Pearl Jam on lead guitar. The album was accompanied by a tour in the United States that same year, as well as a small tour in Australia and New Zealand in 1998.
A third album, Welcome to Discovery Park, was released on August 13, 2002. The recording of Welcome to Discovery Park saw contributions from Mike Berg, who had taken over as the touring bassist for Toback.[2] The album mixes the rawness of Shame and the polished, produced sound of Interiors. In July 2005, the band released an album of unreleased and incomplete Brad and Satchel tracks called Brad vs Satchel.
As of January 2006, the band's fourth studio album, tentatively titled Best Friends, had been recorded and was being pared down to a 13-track release.[3] As of September 2007, the album was still awaiting release as the band reunited for a small series of live performances, starting in October 2007, with Kevin Wood (of Malfunkshun) joining the band as an additional guitarist. To date, there has been no indication as to whether this is a permanent personnel move or just a temporary addition. Songs from the forthcoming Best Friends album were played at the 2007 and 2008 performances, but there was no announcement as to when the album would be released.
Shawn Smith unfortunately passed away on April 3rd, 2019.
Current members
* Stone Gossard – guitar
* Regan Hagar – drums
* Shawn Smith – keyboard, vocals
* Jeremy Toback – bass guitar
* Mike Berg – bass guitar (1997–present)
Additional personnel
* James Hall – guitar, keyboard (1997)
* Matt Brown – guitar, keyboard (1997)
* Elizabeth Pupo-Walker – percussion (2001–2002)
* Thaddeus Turner – guitars, bass (2001–2002)
* Kevin Wood – guitar (2007–present)
Studio albums
Year Album details
1993 Shame
* Released: April 27, 1993
* Label: Epic
* Format: CD, cassette (CS)
1997 Interiors
* Released: June 24, 1997
* Label: Epic
* Format: CD, CS
2002 Welcome to Discovery Park
* Released: August 13, 2002
* Label: Redline
* Format: CD
Compilations
Year Album details
2005 Brad vs Satchel
* Released: July 26, 2005
* Label: The Establishment Store
* Format: CD
Singles
Year Single UK peak
chart position
[4] Album
1993 "Screen"/"Buttercup" — Shame
"20th Century" 64
1997 "The Day Brings" — Interiors
"Secret Girl" —
2003 "La, La, La" — Welcome to Discovery Park
"Shinin'" —
"Revolution" —
"—" denotes singles that did not chart.
Notes and references
1. ^ Gumbuoy. "Hang Out In Discovery Park With Brad". fasterlouder.com.au. September 27, 2005.
2. ^ a b c Erlewine, Stephen Thomas and Torreano, Bradley. "Brad". Allmusic. Retrieved on January 31, 2009.
3. ^ Prato, Greg. "Brad Finishing Up Fourth Album". Billboard. January 18, 2006.
4. ^ "UK Singles & Albums Chart Archive — Brad". http://www.chartstats.com/artistinfo.php?id=6825. Retrieved on 2007-12-08.
External links
* Brad's official website
* Brad at MySpace
* Brad at Allmusic
* Brad at Last.fm
Playground
Brad Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Its free to go
You can run around
With people you know
Weekend is here
Nuthin' to do
So take me there
Get off that couch
There's no excuse
You may find that you
Wanna go there too
We go everyday
When we're at school
Unless the teacher says
We broke the rules
They got 'em all over town
They got soft rubber on the ground
I'll put my video game down
If ya take me to the Playground
If ya take me to the Playground
They got those swings
They got the slides
So you and I
Can climb real high
And if ya like to dig
Well they got those too
So what cha say
Time for me and you
They got 'em all over town
They got soft rubber on the ground
I'll put my video game down
If ya take me to the Playground
Just take me to the Playground
Now I heard this place
Can cure the blues
Best thing of all
Dogs can go there too
Its open everyday
Its easy to do
And if ya take me now
I'll clean my room
They got 'em all over town
They got soft rubber on the ground
I'll put my video game down
If ya take me to the Playground
P-L-A-Y Playground
Its in the name PLAYground
Lots of fun at the Playground
I love that Playground
Soft if ya hit the ground - Playground
The lyrics of Brad's song "Playground" depict a joyful and carefree place where one can escape from the mundane routine and responsibilities of life. The song emphasizes the importance of taking time to have fun and enjoy the company of friends. The playground becomes a symbol of liberation and a reminder to abandon excuses and engage in pure play.
The first verse reflects the anticipation and excitement for the weekend, when there is no obligation or agenda. It encourages the listener to join the singer at the playground, where they can run freely with familiar faces. The repetition of the line "take me there and turn me loose" reinforces the idea of letting go of inhibitions and fully immersing oneself in the experience.
The second verse encourages action and aims to motivate the listener. It challenges the complacency of staying on the couch and instead advocates for seizing the opportunity to visit the playground. It suggests that once someone has experienced the joy and excitement of the playground, they may find themselves wanting to return.
The chorus highlights the different attractions present at the playground, such as swings, slides, and digging areas. These elements embody the innocence and simplicity of childhood, fostering a sense of adventure and exploration. By mentioning the possibility of leaving video games behind, the lyrics suggest that the playground offers a more fulfilling and enriching experience.
The bridge introduces the idea that the playground is not just for children. It states that dogs are welcome too, emphasizing the inclusive nature of the environment. The mention of the playground's ability to "cure the blues" suggests that it serves as a source of happiness and escapism for people of all ages.
The final repetition of the chorus reinforces the infectious nature of the playground's appeal. By spelling out the word "PLAYground," the lyrics reinforce the idea that the purpose of this place is pure enjoyment. The mention of soft rubber on the ground signifies safety and comfort, enhancing the overall feeling of freedom and pleasure that the playground offers. Ultimately, the song captures the essence of carefree fun and encourages listeners to let go of their worries and embrace the joy of the playground.
Line by Line Meaning
I know a place
I am aware of a specific location
Its free to go
There is no cost to enter
You can run around
You have the freedom to move quickly
With people you know
In the company of familiar individuals
Weekend is here
The time off from school has arrived
Nuthin' to do
There are no activities planned
So take me there
Accompany me to this place
And turn me loose
Allow me to be free and unrestricted
Get off that couch
Stop sitting idle on the sofa
There's no excuse
There are no valid reasons for inaction
You may find that you
It is possible that you
Wanna go there too
Also desire to visit that place
We go everyday
We visit on a daily basis
When we're at school
During our time in education
Unless the teacher says
Except if the teacher prohibits
We broke the rules
We violated the established guidelines
They got 'em all over town
These places are spread throughout the city
They got soft rubber on the ground
The flooring is made of gentle rubber material
I'll put my video game down
I will stop playing my electronic game
If ya take me to the Playground
In exchange for being brought to the Playground
They got those swings
There are available swings
They got the slides
There are available slides
So you and I
Both you and I
Can climb real high
Can ascend to significant heights
And if ya like to dig
And if you enjoy excavating
Well they got those too
Well, those are also available
So what cha say
So, what do you say
Time for me and you
It is the moment for both of us
Now I heard this place
Recently, I was informed of this location
Can cure the blues
Can alleviate feelings of sadness
Best thing of all
The most wonderful aspect
Dogs can go there too
Even dogs are allowed to visit
Its open everyday
It is accessible every day
Its easy to do
It is simple to engage in
And if ya take me now
And if you bring me immediately
I'll clean my room
I will tidy up my living space
P-L-A-Y Playground
Referring to the Playground by spelling it out
Its in the name PLAYground
The name itself implies play and fun
Lots of fun at the Playground
There is an abundance of enjoyment at the Playground
I love that Playground
I have a strong affection for that particular Playground
Soft if ya hit the ground
The surface is cushioned in case of impact with the ground
Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: Bradford Wolter
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind