Brad Roberts

Biography

Bradley Kenneth Roberts (born January 10, 1964) is a Canadian singer and songwriter from Winnipeg, Manitoba. He is the lead singer and guitarist for the Canadian folk-rock band Crash Test Dummies and the only constant member since its inception. He is known for his bass-baritone range. The band is best known internationally for their 1993 album God Shuffled His Feet and single "Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm" and best known in Canada for the 1991 single "Superman's Song".

Early beginnings

Roberts was born in 1964 to Norman, a stationery salesman, and Eunice (née Crook; 1937–2025), a secretary, and grew up in Winnipeg. He studied English literature and philosophy, receiving a bachelor's degree with honours from the University of Winnipeg in 1986. His original quest was to become a university professor. As a musician, he is largely self-taught.
Roberts began performing with Paul James and Curtis Riddell at the Blue Note Cafe in Winnipeg. Curtis, without consulting Brad, advertised them under the moniker Bad Brad Roberts and the St. James Rhythm Pigs. The band dropped this name quickly at Brad's insistence, and after Curtis left, they evolved into the Crash Test Dummies. While studying at university and working as a bartender at The Spectrum Cabaret, Roberts began writing his own songs and introducing them to the band. After attending a songwriters' workshop with Lyle Lovett at the Winnipeg Folk Festival, he wrote "Superman's Song".

Record deal and debut album

Demos of Roberts's songs found themselves in the hands of various music company execs across Canada, and the quirky bar band that had just begun to write original material found itself with record deal options which led The Crash Test Dummies into a rushed, but nevertheless well-received debut album, The Ghosts That Haunt Me. The album introduced the band to the rest of the Canadian provinces, selling over 400,000 copies in Canada alone and also garnering a 1991 Juno Award for Group of the Year.

Second album and international success

With more time and finances, Roberts set about writing the band's second album, God Shuffled His Feet. This to date is the band's best selling and most popular album, bringing an international audience and selling over six million copies. The Crash Test Dummies were nominated for three Grammy Awards in 1994. The group was nominated for eleven other Junos from 1992 to 2000.

Third album: A Worm's Life

A Worm's Life was released in 1996, selling over one million copies and showcasing a harder-edged sound as the band continued to evolve, producing this album on their own.

Fourth album: Give Yourself a Hand

1999 introduced a mix of electronic funk and spontaneous wordplay with Give Yourself a Hand. Roberts met Greg Wells at a songwriters' workshop and invited him to co-write and assist in recording this album inspired by influences and flavours of Roberts' new home in Harlem, New York.

Car accident and independent release

On September 28, 2000, Roberts was severely injured when he crashed his car on a dirt road in Yarmouth County, Nova Scotia; he was charged with drug possession when marijuana was discovered on his person by the RCMP. While recuperating, he began to jam with locals (The Great Wind Jammers from Argyle, Yarmouth County), subsequently producing his next album, I Don't Care That You Don't Mind, from the sessions — the first album released by the band, independent of a major record label.

Sixth album: Puss 'n' Boots

Puss 'n' Boots was released in October 2003 with a European and additional American version.

Further releases

A Crash Test Dummies album, Oooh La La!, was released in 2010. This was followed with the solo release on an album of mantras entitled Rajanaka: Mantra, in 2011.

Musical influences

His influences as a musician are primarily rooted in late-1960s, 1970s, and 1980s British music, from the albums Let It Bleed by The Rolling Stones, Abbey Road by The Beatles, Diamond Dogs by David Bowie and Oranges & Lemons by XTC, which was introduced to him by his friend on his car stereo in the late 1980s.
At age 12 he bought his first record, Dressed to Kill by Kiss, and was inspired by guitarist Ace Frehley. He took guitar lessons for four years from that point.

Personal life

He has honour degrees in English and philosophy.

Crash Test Dummies

The Ghosts That Haunt Me (1991)
God Shuffled His Feet (1993)
A Worm's Life (1996)
Give Yourself a Hand (1999)
I Don't Care That You Don't Mind (2001)
Jingle All the Way (2002)
Puss 'n' Boots (2003)
Songs of the Unforgiven (2004)
Oooh La La! (2010)

Collaborations

Heaven and hell Joe Jackson album (1997)
Midnight Garden (with Rob Morsberger) (2012)