By: Ashley Parrish

Photos: Bre Sheridan and Ashley Parrish

I first met the band BRAT a few months back when their tour ventured into Colorado for the first time. They put on a show that I still think about months later. Before their set, I had the honor of exploring the historic Poudre River with a few of the band members. Access to the river is located behind the unique little venue they were playing at, through a small field. It was memorable for a couple of reasons: One, I was already a huge fan of BRAT and was absolutely stoked to hang out with them. And two, all my previous attempts to convince anyone to scale the old, forgotten aqueduct over the river with me had been unsuccessful. But when I asked Liz on a whim, fully expecting her to say no, she was up for it!

That little adventure and their incredible set that night left me with an unforgettable impression of the band. They were so down to earth and cooler than I imagined. Fast-forward to now, and you can imagine my excitement when I found out I had the chance to interview Liz. Due to them gracing the cover of our summer issue. 

 Image Credit: Vanessa Valadez

When I asked Liz what was up next for them, she shared some exciting news. “We’ve got a fun cover that we have recorded with a special guest that we are excited to put out. We’re also looking forward to playing with Crowbar in November, and then there’s our upcoming tour with GWAR. Additionally, we’re hoping for our first European tour next year,” Liz announced. It looks like BRAT fans have much to look forward to.

As they stay busy on the road, touring almost non-stop for the better part of three years, BRAT has built a solid following through their relentless schedule and active social media presence, especially on TikTok (which is where I first discovered them). Their hard work clearly pays off when you see them live. I was curious about how they manage the challenges of tour life. Liz explained, “Really taking advantage of off days and finding time to rest is crucial to tour as much as we do. It's very taxing, but we love it.” No doubt it has been worth it, as BRAT has had the honor of touring with bands like Eyehategod, Ringworm, and Cro-Mags.

One of the highlights of BRAT's live shows is Liz’s iconic dancing and deep, growly vocals. Curious about her stage background, I asked if she had prior experience. Liz’s distinctive stage presence stems from her theatrical roots. “I did theater growing up and always really enjoyed performing on stage. I think that has really helped me with my performances for BRAT,” she explained. This background adds a dramatic flair to their live shows, making each performance both memorable and fun. Ever wonder what young Liz would think of her rocking out today? “I think young me would be very proud of myself.”

Fan reactions to BRAT have been quite surprising and delightful. Liz shared, “It's always really exciting to see young kids who are really into the band. We recently had a 7-year-old boy tell us 'Human Offense' is his favorite song.” Since “Human Offense” happens to be my favorite track as well, I was curious about the band members' favorites to play live. Liz told me, “My favorite, personally, is 'Truncheon.' Brenner’s is 'Hesitation Wound,' Dustin’s is 'Chain Pain,' and Ian’s is 'Human Offense.'”

Knowing the band is from New Orleans, I was curious about their history and how long the members have known each other. Liz provided some insight: “I have known Ian (Hennessey - bass) the longest—since maybe 2014. I met Brenner (Moate - guitar) in 2017 and didn’t meet Dustin (Eagan - drums) until he showed up for band practice. Brenner and Dustin have known each other since about 2012.”

Curious about their songwriting process, I asked Liz how BRAT creates their killer tracks. Does the music come before the lyrics? Or vice versa? “Yes, the music is always written first and the lyrics are the last step,” Liz revealed. This approach allows their instrumental foundation to shine through, as evident in their album Social Grace, which features memorable riffs that complement Liz’s unconventional vocal style. Beyond music, Brat draws inspiration from various non-musical sources. Liz shared, “Brenner is a big fan of Stephen King and that is largely the inspiration for a lot of Brat lyrics.” Who knew that the king of horror himself was fueling some of BRAT’s lyrical content?

I couldn’t wrap up the interview without asking about their eye-catching merch. Anyone who has ever been to a BRAT show can attest—it’s hard to miss. Bright pink shirts with fun pop culture references are a fan favorite. (I personally own and love the “Mean Girls, Can’t Sit With Us” shirt.) It’s always refreshing to see merch that breaks away from the standard black band tee, though they have those too. BRAT’s merchandise is as creative and distinctive as their music. “We have used a few different artists for our designs and I have also created a few myself,” Liz shared. Their unique designs are a big hit with fans and perfectly capture the band’s vibrant energy.

I'll definitely be keeping an eye on their journey and can't wait to see where they go next. Missing their tour with GWAR is not an option—it's an absolute must-see for me. With their unique sound and high-energy performances, BRAT is undeniably making their mark on the heavy music scene. So, check out their album Social Grace, keep an eye out for their latest releases, and if you get the chance, make sure to see them live. You won't regret it!

To read my full concert review from their show in April click HERE.

To visit their website and buy their awesome merch, click HERE.