Teresa Covarrubias was born and raised in the Boyle Heights section of East Los Angeles and became the lead singer for The Brat, a Chicano punk rock ensemble (lead guitarist Rudy Medina, and alternate lead and rhythm guitarist Sidney Medina) originating from the barrios of East Los Angeles, California. From their conception in late 1978, to their eventual break-up in1985, The Brat contributed to the customization and intermeshing of multiple musical and cultural models that culminated in the distinct East Los Angeles, Chicano punk sound. They are best known for their five song EP Attitudes, released in 1980 (Fatima Records), while contributing to the understanding of the many ways culture transforms and challenges dominant hegemonic ideologies. Musicians such as Bob Dylan, The Rolling Stones, Benny Goodman and David Bowie had a heavy influence on Covarrubias and inspired her to seek alternative forms of music that deviated from the mainstream. This drive to seek alternative forms of media was only heightened when her sister shared D.I.Y. punk fanzines sourced in Germany.

Links:

http://www.thebrat.net/

Song Samples:

(0:00-0:23) The Brat, “Attitudes,” Straight Outta East L.A., RockBeat Records, 2017. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJqwgDmsDuI&list=OLAK5uy_kWbiEOUxWrfD7otT51pciNFBjWOo19x9o&index=12 

(0:23-0:43) The Jam, “Going Underground,” Compact SNAP!, Polydor, 1983. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vzkpgf2oXwo 

(0:00-0:24) The Dickies, “Walk Like An Egg,” The Incredible Shrinking Dickies, A&M Records, 1979. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4QxUjZeUvM 

(0:00-0:50) The Brat, “The Wolf,” Straight Outta East L.A., RockBeat Records, 2017. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ye6XfmltEjE&list=OLAK5uy_kWbiEOUxWrfD7otT51pciNFBjWOo19x9o&index=7 

(0:21-0:54) Los Lobos, “La Pistola Y El Corazón,” La Pistola Y El Corazón, Slash Records, 1988. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGn89hK1U9E 

(0:15-0:50) The Brat, “Misogyny,” Straight Outta East L.A., RockBeat Records, 2017. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrY3yQrJJJI&list=OLAK5uy_kWbiEOUxWrfD7otT51pciNFBjWOo19x9o&index=10 

Interview Transcript: https://sonix.ai/share/Rqjcqmt2j29k5KZNK9aS496P

This episode was recorded on March 23, 2024, in front of a live audience at the Lineage Performing Arts Center in Pasadena. 

Bella Gerard edited the audio and interview transcript.