| Brett Detar | |
|---|---|
| Born | April 30, 1978 |
| Origin | Greensburg, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Genres | Alternative rock, Country |
| Instruments | Guitar, vocals |
| Years active | 1996–2006 2010-present |
| Labels | Paper Fist |
| Associated acts | The Juliana Theory Zao |
| Website | www.brettdetar.com |
Brett Detar is an American singer, musician, and producer best known as lead singer of the now defunct rock band The Juliana Theory and as former guitarist/bassist for metalcore band Zao. Born April 30, 1978 in Greensburg, Pennsylvania Detar currently works as a producer at his own studio, Soho Taxidermy[1], in Manhattan, New York.
On November 9, 2010, Detar released his debut solo and distributed it for free on his website.
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Before his music career, Detar worked on a farm while growing up. He also worked at Carmike Cinemas in Greensburg. Detar enjoys ice hockey and played the sport growing up. A fan of the Pittsburgh Penguins and Mario Lemieux, Detar has travelled to Canada to watch Stanley Cup and international hockey.[2] In an interview with listenin.org Detar mentioned that he is a big fan of The Sopranos.[3] After the break-up of The Juliana Theory in 2006, Detar married Shae Acopian.[4]
Detar's music career began by playing guitar and singing backing vocals in the band Pensive. The group was formed in 1996 and featured a line-up including The Juliana Theory and Zao alumni Chad Alan on vocals, Brett Detar on guitar, Martin Lunn on bass, and Josh Walters on drums.[5] Pensive released one EP titled "The Subtlety of Silence" which was released in 1997.[6] They also released a split EP entitled "The Psalms of Ariana," with PA Christian hardcore band Seasons in the Field, through Akeldama Records.[7]
At the age of 19, Detar co-wrote and played guitar, bass, and piano for the metalcore band Zao on their Where Blood and Fire Bring Rest album in 1998 as well as the split CD with Training for Utopia. Detar toured with Zao for two years, replacing original guitarist and founding member Roy Goudy and bringing in new lead-vocalist Dan Weyandt to the band. Detar eventually left the group to concentrate on side project The Juliana Theory.[8]
During his time in Zao, Detar (along with Chad Alan, Joshua Fiedler, Neil Hebrank, and Jeremiah Momper) formed a part-time side project called The Juliana Theory. Lasting much longer than the proposed summer-long tenure, Detar eventually left Zao to work on Juliana Theory full time. The Juliana Theory toured and recorded full time for nine years from 1997-2006 [9].
The Juliana Theory recorded four full-length albums, along with various EPs and other live recordings.[10]
Throughout their career, they were signed to Epic Records, Tooth and Nail Records, Rykodisc, and Abacus Recordings. In 2005 The Juliana Theory, along with manager Josh Karchmer, started the Paper Fist record label on which the band released their final album Deadbeat Sweetheartbeat.[11]
On October 5, 2009 Detar announced via his website that a Juliana Theory rarities and b-sides album would soon be available.[12] The album was released September 7, 2010 through digital media outlets such as iTunes and Amazon.[13]
On January 20, 2010 The Juliana Theory announced they would be playing six reunion shows in August 2010. These would be the final shows that they play together as a group.[14]
Detar appeared in tandem with Chris Evenson of Sense Field for a song under the moniker "Belasana" which was featured on the 2004 compilation Maybe This Christmas Tree.[15]
It was never a true band but really "just a couple of ex-band guys trading music files over the internet which, when re-assembled on our computers do resemble songs".[16][17]
In 2005, Detar was featured on two tracks for the album Sixty Forty by the hip hop artist Origen aka Will Stanton, including the song "Mid Winter Cold".[18]
On January 20, 2010 Detar announced on his official Facebook page that he is making his first solo album. In the note he mentioned that he had no plans to be a solo artist; yet, after The Juliana Theory folded in 2006 he had accumulated some 50+ songs "piled up on mini recorders, cell-phone voice memos, and hard drives".[19]
On November 10, 2010 Detar released his first solo album Bird In The Tangle. The entire album was available for download on his website in mp3 format, if you provide your email address. The album is also available for purchase ($10 for MP3HD digital format, $25 for limited edition vinyl LP and MP3HD) with four exclusive bonus tracks (released on November 23, 2010).
Detar is currently touring the U.S. on a 20 stop tour opening for Tiger Army's lead vocalist Nick 13, who also recently released his first solo album. [20]
Detar is also writing material for other artists, including UK singer and songwriter Greg Holden and Rookie of the Year[21] and is scoring a feature film.[22]
In 2005 during a show at The Lime Spider in Akron, The Juliana Theory was finishing up a set with the Deadbeat Sweetheartbeat track "French Kiss Off" when Detar began the near minute long scream for the culmination of the song. Halfway through, Detar passed out and fell from the stage. He was lying on the ground, still screaming, when a monitor fell and landed on his head. With fans gathered around him, Detar laid on the ground bleeding while the rest of the band finished the song. After the show, he was walking around holding a towel to his head in an attempt to curtail the blood flow and later had to be taken to hospital.[23]