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Brett W. GurewitzAmerican musician, guitarist and songwriter
Date of Birth: 12.05.1962
Country:  USA |
Content:
Biography of Brett Gurewitz
Brett Gurewitz is an American musician, guitarist, and songwriter best known as a member of the punk rock band 'Bad Religion'. He is also the owner of the music label 'Epitaph Records', which has released many albums by 'Bad Religion' and its affiliated labels such as 'ANTI-', 'Burning Heart Records', 'Fat Possum Records', and 'Hellcat Records'. Gurewitz has produced albums for 'Bad Religion' and their label mates, including bands like 'NOFX', 'Rancid', and 'Pennywise', among many others. He also played in the electro-hardcore band 'Error', which released a self-titled EP in 2004 and went on hiatus, with the possibility of a future reunion unknown.
Early Life
Brett Gurewitz was born on May 12, 1962, in Los Angeles, California. He grew up and spent his youth in Woodland Hills, California, and was raised in the Jewish faith. In 1979, at the age of seventeen, Gurewitz founded the band 'Bad Religion' together with vocalist Greg Graffin, drummer Jay Ziskrout, and bassist Jay Bentley. All four members attended El Camino Real High School. They eventually started writing their own songs and played their first show as an opening act for 'Social Distortion'. In 1981, 'Bad Religion' recorded their self-titled EP, which consisted of six songs and was also released on cassette tapes, although they are considered rare.
Career with Bad Religion
The band's debut full-length album, 'How Could Hell Be Any Worse?', was released in 1982. During the recording of the album, Ziskrout left the band and was replaced by Pete Finestone. The debut album, considered one of the band's most important works, was recorded with a budget of $1,000 borrowed from Gurewitz's father. The success of the album surprised even the band members themselves, as it sold over 10,000 copies in a year. The song 'Part III' features a guitar solo by Greg Hetson, although he was not yet considered a permanent member of the band at the time. In 1983, their second album 'Unknown' was released, but it was less successful due to its departure from their previous punk sound, delving into progressive rock and incorporating keyboards. During the recording of one of the songs, Bentley and Finestone left the band, and they were replaced by bassist Paul Dedona and drummer Davy Goldman. After the release of 'Unknown', 'Bad Religion' disbanded. Gurewitz left the band in 1983 and reportedly underwent his first treatment for drug addiction.
The band reunited without Gurewitz for the release of the 'Back to the Known' EP in 1985, which marked a return to their punk rock roots, before going on an indefinite hiatus again. In 1986, when the original lineup from 'How Could Hell Be Any Worse?' reunited with the addition of second guitarist Greg Hetson, Brett Gurewitz rejoined the band and recorded five more albums with them until 'Bad Religion' signed with 'Atlantic Records' in 1993. Their debut album on 'Atlantic Records', titled 'Stranger Than Fiction', was released in 1994 and achieved tremendous success, especially with the hits '21st Century (Digital Boy)' and 'Infected'. However, Gurewitz soon left 'Bad Religion' to focus on the future of his label 'Epitaph', which gained unexpected popularity with signed bands like 'The Offspring' and 'Rancid'. 'The Offspring' became one of the greatest bands of the mid-90s, and Gurewitz found himself spending more time in the office while 'Bad Religion' recorded two albums without him. Nevertheless, Gurewitz also released solo singles during this time. It was during this period that he had to seek treatment again for his drug addiction. In 1999, after completing rehab and reconciling with Graffin, Gurewitz returned to 'Bad Religion' after a five-year hiatus and co-wrote the song 'Believe It', which appeared on the band's 11th album titled 'The New America' (2000). Two years later, after parting ways with 'Atlantic Records', Gurewitz officially rejoined 'Bad Religion', and the band returned to 'Epitaph Records'.
Currently, Gurewitz remains an active member of the band, although he rarely joins them for live performances. Since then, 'Bad Religion' has released three more albums: 'The Empire Strikes First' (2004), 'New Maps of Hell' (2007), and 'The Dissent of Man' (2010).
Personal Life
Gurewitz's first wife, with whom he divorced in 1995, lives with their son and daughter in Hollywood, California. In 2003, Brett married Gina Davis, who worked at 'Epitaph', and they, along with their daughter Nico Moon Celeste, born in July 2009, reside in Pasadena, California.
