Brats biography


Brats was an important band that led to creation of Mercyful Fate. Most people don't know much about it and sometimes even think it was MF's old name, which is not true. So here are the facts for us all to know (big thanks to Frank Christensen).

Brats was a punk band from Copenhagen formed in May 1978 by vocalist Franz De Zaster (Michael Gorm; ex-Support), bass player Mickey Rat (Michael Hillerup; later to appear in Pin Ups and In A Sense), guitarist Hank De Wank (Rene Krolmark) and drummer Eddie Haircut (Milan Balsgaard) (ex-Elektrochok, Support, Monomania and Rimshots).

In its original form Brats was a functional part of the early Copenhagen punk milieu as a central band and appeared on the Sampler LP Paere Punk (Kong Paere KPLP 1) with 3 songs. The band more or less went into dissolvement during 1979 but was formed in a new heavy rock formation by Hank and the three new members; bassist Yenz (Jens Arnsted), guitarist Denner (Michael Denner; both formerly with Jezebel) and drummer Monroe (Lars Nybo; formerly with Suck, an early incarnation of Sods, which was a very influential Copenhagen punk band which later became Sort Sol (Danish for Black Sun)). The new Brats came right into the waves left after the heavy rock renaissance in the USA and England, and in 1980 they signed a contract with CBS who first released B-Brains (CBS PRO 102) with the band as a free single included in a CBS sampler LP with well known foreign artists. Later the LP 1980 (CBS 84327) was released. It was, contrary to all expectations, no seller in Denmark, although it made some good sales numbers in France. CBS cancelled the contract, and Brats were shortly dissolved, and split into the bands Geisha and Mercyful Fate.

Eddie Haircut lived in London for a couple of years wher he was member of a number of bands, including rockabilly band Rimshots. Eddie Haircut has since returned to Denmark, where he's still active in the music business. Among other things he has worked as a DJ for the local radio station Sokkelund Radio.

Franz De Zaster appeared on the sampler live LP Concert Of The Moment (Irmgardz IRMG 2) with the band Support, who has only appeared live at this occasion and who only played Brats' old songs and cover versions. The group consisted of, among others, drummer Eddie Haircut and guitarist Peter (Peter) Schneidermann (later Peter Peter of Sort Sol; ex-Sods, Monomania, Tina Talks, Martin And The Martians, Tapehead).


Paweł Więcek <coven@vmh.net>
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