The Brats were a New York-based quartet consisting of Rick Rivets, a former alumnus of the New York Dolls, Keith West (not connected at all to the singer from the U.K.-based Tomorrow), Andy Doback, and Sparky Donovan. The group was organized by Rivets and based in Queens, NY, where West was something of a rock & roll guru to a lot of teenagers. A leading exponent of the Flamin' Groovies through his now-legendary record store, the Music Box, they played a punchy brand of glam rock similar to the New York Dolls and heavily influenced by the Kinks, the Yardbirds, and the early Rolling Stones. They lasted into the punk era, which they may have helped herald, and may have been an influence on the Ramones; it was rumored for years that the latter group's "Beat on the Brat" was a reference to the rival group. The Brats got onto the live compilation Max's Kansas City 1976, cut at the legendary New York venue, and they released one single with a cool A-side and an incredible B-side called "If You Can Rock You Can Roll." The group never made it as far as recording an album of their own, but they made the local New York newspapers on one occasion when -- shades of the Who on the Smothers Brothers -- the explosives they used to punctuate their stage act reportedly singed (or worse) some audience members. Rivets later moved on to other bands, including the Corpse Grinders. A reunion of the group was said to be in the works for the early 21st century. ~ Bruce Eder, All Music Guide