INTRO...

PYRATE was formed in 1984 by guitarist Curt Granger and drummer/vocalist Jeff Stewart, from the remnants of another band, Tyrant. Bassist Charlie Brodie joined shortly thereafter and the new band began rehearsing wherever they could. Pyrate started out playing backyard and basement parties around Birmingham. The band's first real show was April 26, 1986, at the Eclectic Theater on Morris Avenue. Pyrate eventually ran across frontman/vocalist Mark Verwyst, who became the lead singer.

The band found a practice room in the back of a Birmingham News delivery building, and crafted the music there for months. They also started playing several gigs around town, most notably the State Fair. Pyrate played cover tunes of such bands as Van Halen, Motley Crue, Ratt, and Aerosmith, and also some original tunes. They also starting attracting fans, their biggest fans being Cathy, Linda, Deanna, and Connie. They were at every show.

BREAKDOWN...

Pyrate continued playing and writing new songs. They played at a few clubs in town, and even got to play at the Oak Mountain amphitheater, at a Magic City Bar-B-Q cookoff event. They also started a fan mailing list courtesy of  manager, "Big Al" Meeks. Around this time the band started growing tired of the same old thing, which is what happens to a lot of bands. Pyrate split up for awhile...

A NEW ERA...

The band had met Tommy Travis and Tom Brown at a club a few months back. Jeff and Curt  decided to call Tommy to see if he wanted to sing with the band. Tom came along for the meeting with his guitar and everyone decided to give it a go. Charlie came back and the new incarnation of Pyrate was formed.

Pyrate played a few clubs in town, a few out of town, but found that things weren't working as planned. Another split. A few days later Tom and Tommy called Curt to ask if he wanted to play with them in another band. The newly formed group rehearsed but decided they didn't care for the chemistry between the bass player and drummer in that band, so they called around and eventually found Stacey (Tate) Beckham and Craig Mullins. A new Pyrate was formed. Enter mach 2.

TOURING!...

Pyrate realized that they needed some shows to play, so they hooked up with a booking agency, called Southeastern Attractions. They found some work, and before long things started taking off. The first year Pyrate played small clubs, both local and out-of-state, and also some graduation dances (proms) that paid well. The band also wanted to make more money by playing more often. Southeastern Attractions couldn't book the number of shows the band wanted to play, so Pyrate left them and went to CMC based in North Carolina. Southeastern Attractions tried to sue the band, which was a big hassle, but was settled amicably.

Pyrate eventually started making impressions everywhere they played (some good, some not) but  were getting noticed. Pyrate even developed a loyal following. Craig soon left the band, Joey came in, left, then Tim Ward (Timmi G.) joined up. Drummers...they all march to the tune of a different. Pyrate started playing bigger and better paying shows, travelling throughout the southeast, midatlantic, and even Michigan and Ohio. Along this time the band's production also grew quite huge, and soundman John Osbourne (Ozzy) was hired, along with lightman, roadie, truckdriver, and general "do-this-and-do-that" guy, "Junior." Later, Ozzy was replaced by Bob "Hunka" Temple, and the band added another roadie, "Crazy" Bill.

Everyone agreed there was one favorite club: T-Birds in Jacksonville, North Carolina. The crowds were always great, especially the Marines from Camp Lejune. The band made many friends there, including Mary, Michelle and Bobby, Tawnya, Cathy, Chris, Barbara, and many others. Pyrate continued playing clubs and started recording original music to shop around to record companies. The band logged 500 shows in 2 years, and stopped counting soon afterwards.

Timmi G. playing in Dayton, Ohio

A LONG, LONG ROAD...

Curt eventually got tired of constant travel, having to repair broken-down trucks, never getting paid, and harassed by law enforcement. Curt left the band at the end of '91. A good guitarist, Alex Garmen, came in a filled the spot. Then he left a couple years later. The band continued on a few more years, playing many shows throughout the southeast. After signing a recording and distribution deal with CMC Records, the band had reached the pinnacle of it's success. The band stagnated, the overall trend in rock music shifted towards the Seattle sound, and patience within the band grew thin. Pyrate officially ended in February of '96. Long live the music...

Curt Granger went on to form the band Scream Sophie with Tim Ward. He played bass with the band Empty Fall for a brief stint, then in 2004 formed the band Traumatide. Jeff Stewart played with the bands Tailgunner and Grind, and performed with them regularly. Tate Beckham and Tom Brown played with Soultramp, then with Toxic Shock. Tom was guitarist for the band Dragkings, along with Alex Garmen. Tate played with Scream Sophie for a brief stint, and now runs a sound production company. Tom played with Scream Sophie also (on bass). Mark Verwyst and Tommy Travis are retired from music.

On April 9, 2001, original Pyrate bassist Charlie Brodie passed away at the age of 31. Charlie remained active in music, playing with different bands up until the time of his passing.

On June 29, 2005, original Pyrate drummer Jeff Stewart passed away at the age of 38. Jeff was still active in the music community, and had many friends.

They will both be deeply missed.