Career

Early beginnings

His musical career began with a bachelor's degree with honours from University of Winnipeg in 1986. Roberts began performing in a house band for the Blue Note Cafe in Winnipeg under the moniker Bad Brad Roberts and the St. James Rhythm Pigs. The band gradually 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, taking them into the international arena of musical exposure. The album has sold over six million copies and caused The Crash Test Dummies to be 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. Marijuana was discovered in his pocket while he was loaded into an ambulance and he was then charged for possession by the RCMP. While he was recuperating from the accident, he began jamming with locals (The Great Wind Jammers from Argyle, Yarmouth County) and produced from these sessions I Don't Care That You Don't Mind. This was 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 new 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.

Photography

In the fall of 2010, during Crash Test Dummies' Canadian tour, Roberts began taking random photos of the places he visited, which were then posted on his blog and the band's Facebook page.

Personal life

Roberts now lives with his wife in SoHo, New York where he continues to write and record his music. He has had many artistic opportunities to work with other artists such as Joe Jackson, Scotty Hard, Greg Wells, Deltron 3030, and Medeski Martin & Wood.

Musical Influences

His influences as a musician are primarily rooted in late-'60s, '70s and '80s 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 '80s.

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.

Discography

Crash Test Dummies

For a more comprehensive list, see Crash Test Dummies discography.

• 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)

Solo

• Rajanaka: Mantra (2011)

Collaborations

• Midnight Garden (with Rob Morsberger) (2012)

Live

• Crash Test Dude (2001)

Videos

• Crash Test Dude (2001)

[ Source: Wikipedia ]