Bracket

Formed in California during the early 1990s, Bracket brought together vocalist and guitarist Marty Gregori, bassist Zack Charlos, guitarist Larry Tinney, and drummer Ray Castro. Their initial recording, the self-released 7" Giant Midge EP, introduced their blend of power pop and punk. After performing throughout the San Francisco region, the group signed with Caroline Records and issued 924 Forestville St. along with 4-Wheel Vibe, each expanding their audience. Four leftover tracks from the second album appeared on the 1996 EP 4 Rare Vibes, after which their guitar-driven punk style drew notice from Fat Wreck. Although the label had already issued several of their 7" singles, Bracket formally joined the roster in summer 1996. That year also saw their first official Fat Wreck output: the double 7" F Is for Fat and the E Is for Everything CD/EP.

Extensive international touring ensued, encompassing U.S. shows alongside SNFU, NOFX, Smoking Popes, MXPX, Everclear, and Tilt, before the band delivered the full-length Novelty Forever in September 1998. The next year, Angelo Celli replaced Tinney on guitar. When All Else Fails arrived in May 2000, followed two years later by the group’s contribution to the Fat Wreck Live in a Dive series, which included a comic-book booklet and an enhanced CD featuring videos and interviews. In July 2005 they signed with Takeover and, seeking greater autonomy, built a studio inside an abandoned trailer to record, produce, mix, and engineer their next project themselves. The resulting 17-song Requiem came out in February 2006 and earned strong critical praise.

After an extended hiatus during which members pursued other endeavors, Bracket resumed work on a new album in 2011. A three-volume rarities collection titled Rare Cuts appeared in 2013, and their seventh studio album, Hold Your Applause, followed the next year.