Like a less-famous British cousin of The New York Dolls, the Hollywood Brats also had a penchant for feather boas, glitter and tough rock & roll played with rough-and-tumble abandon.
Originally known as The Queen, the band was formed in London in 1971 by singer Andrew Matheson, keyboard player Casino Steel (real name Stein Groven) and drummer Lou Sparks. When Messrs Mercury, May and Co started to become popular, they were obliged to adopt a new name, and Hollywood Brats was born.
Guitarist Eunan Brady and bassist Wayne Manor joined in 1972.
Although they only recorded one album, which wasn’t released until after they had broken up, the band is now recognised as one of the pioneers of punk.
The Hollywood Brats played a one-off reunion gig on 31 August 2019, at Nell’s Jazz & Blues in London. Matheson performed with Casino Steel and Eunan Brady for the first time in 45 years.
Andrew Matheson died in London on 31 May 2025.
Andrew Matheson
Vocals Eunan Brady
Guitar Wayne Manor
Bass Casino Steel (Stein Groven)
Keyboards Lou Sparks
Drums
Video
You May Also Like
Nutz (Rage) Formed in Liverpool, England, in 1973 by singer Dave Lloyd, guitar wizard Mick Devonport, bassist Keith…
Joy Division Joy Division formed in Manchester, England, in January 1977 originally as The Stiff Kittens, then Warsaw.…
Kate Bush EMI signed Kate Bush in 1974 when she was still a 16-year-old schoolgirl. She was given…
Eric Clapton Eric Patrick Clapp was born in Ripley, Surrey (UK) on 30 March 1945 and raised to…
Fabulous Poodles, The Before joining The Fabulous Poodles, frontman Tony de Meur (he of the red-rimmed spectacles) worked as…
Any Trouble Stiff Records had great commercial hopes for this Manchester quartet, led by balding, bespectacled singer/guitarist/pianist Clive Gregson,…
Fanny Fanny was the first successful female hard rock group. Despite the ritual chauvinist growls of "Cor,…
Lurkers, The The Lurkers formed in 1977 in Uxbridge, London, and spent the year on the fringes of…
