The Regents originated in Cumberland where they performed at the local clubs as well as traveling to gigs in Hagerstown, Frederick, College Park… In 1973 the nucleus of the group moved to Baltimore. Members Bill Pratt (guitar, keyboards, brass, lead vocals), Joe Pratt (sax, keyboards), and Tom Kimmel (drums) were from Cumberland, and bass guitarist Carl Miller was from Baltimore. The Pratt brothers and Miller also worked with the Cockeysville based Top-40 band the Proctoscopes, that later became known as Brandy.
The Regents became a popular local Top-40 rock band with some original songs and an oldies show. They could be seen at local clubs including Mr. Pips, Johnny Walkers, Gee Willikers, Christophers, Razzamatazz, Patapsco Inn, Delaney Inn, Golden 40, Airport Lounge, and many proms, CYO’s, and fire hall dances.
In 1976 the Regents went to Pete D’Antonio’s Underground Sound Studio in D.C. and recorded two original instrumentals that they released on their own Eden Records. The record received some local airplay including promotion by WFBR’s Johnny Walker.
While the band continued into the ‘80s, Bill founded his own Bratt Studios in Woodlawn around 1978. The studio operates as a production facility to record demos for local musicians. One of Bill’s first clients was Rob Fahey. Over the years Pratt did recordings of artists such as Trilogy, Felix, Pockets, Dennis Chambers, the Grainger’s, Admirals, Pen Lucy, Tommy Vann, Great Train Robbery, Mary Lou & the Untouchables, and many others. The studio continued to operate into the ‘00s.
In the early ‘80s the Regents became known as the Gents. By this time they were a 5-piece band featuring Bill and Carl along with Sterling Patterson (guitar), Paul Minch (keyboards), and Tommy Gunn (drums). Minch was later replaced with Ted Pratt. The group released a self-titled album on Eden Records. In 1984 their song “I Can’t Take It” was included on the “98 Rock Album, Vol. III” and a video for the song made the MTV playlist.
The Gents recorded material was remastered in Nashville and released on CD via the Bratt Studio as the “Gents Retrospective.”
Patterson later with Junkyard Saints…
1976 Eden 001 Scratch It / Blue Light Lovers
