Brandon received his first drum set when he was nine years old from his grandfather, who was a jazz musician in Chicago. He started drum lessons when he was twelve until he was seventeen, he also joined a jazz band in high school. He studied music in college and played drums in the University of Colorado music program. He knew then he wanted to make music his career. By listening to his favorite drummers such as Elvin Jones, Tony Williams, Terry Bozzio, Peter Erskine, and Dave Lombardo, Brandon developed the style of playing he has used in many bands over the last 10 years.\n', '

Pinhead Circus formed in 1988 with Jimmy Pinhead, guitarist, Trevor, bassist, and Otis as the drummer. In 1997 the band caught their attention of BYO Records and released their first album, Detailed Instructions for the Self Involved, later that year. Brandon joined Pinhead Circus in 1999 after their drummer Otis left. Pinhead then released their second album, Everything Else Is Just a Far Gone Conclusion in 1999 through BYO Records. Soon after, Barnes split the band before joining Rise Against in 2000.\n', '

After leaving his previous band "Pinhead Circus" Brandon joined Rise Against in 2000 after their drummer, Dan Lumley left and he was then asked to join the band. The band then signed with Fat Wreck Chords in 2001. They then released their debut album The Unraveling and spent the rest of the year touring. The band returned to the studio in December 2002 to work on their second full-length, Revolutions Per Minute in 2003 and toured for 2003\'s Warped Tour, which gained the band some success. Rise Against then signed to Dreamworks Records in late 2003 to begin the recording of their third record, but Dreamworks was shortly absorbed by the Universal Music Group, and Rise Against found itself with major label Geffen Records. Todd Mohney, the band\'s guitarist at the time left and was replaced by Chris Chasse and began the recording of the new album Siren Song of the Counter Culture. Siren Song of the Counter Culture was released on August 10, 2004 peaking at number 136 on the U.S. Billboard 200 album charts, gaining the band major success with the singles "Give It All, "Swing Life Away", and "Life Less Frightening".\n', '

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