Bad Brains
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Bad Brains was an early punk rock band from Washington, DC, formed in 1977. Initial personnel were singer H.R. (singer), guitarist Dr. Know, bass guitarist Darryl Jennifer and drummer Earl Hudson.
Originally a jazz-influenced progressive rock band called Mindpower, they renamed themselves and switched to playing more aggressive punk rock in the area's local clubs after being introduced to the music of The Clash, The Damned, Sex Pistols and other early punk rock bands. The Clash also inspired an interest in reggae music among Bad Brains.
Bad Brains developed an early reputation due in part to the novelty of an entirely African American group performing punk rock (almost exclusively a white phenomenon), but also due to their high-energy performances and their undeniable talent.
Their considerable musical technique--due in part to their jazz and progressive rock roots--set them apart from other Washington DC punk groups, who were typically earnest, but often amateurish performers. Bad Brains' emphasis on extreme speed--especially in their early records and performances--are often regarded as influencing or perhaps even establishing hardcore punk.
Their music still contained hints of their progressive rock past, with quick time changes and lead singer H.R.'s fluctuating vocal dynamics. H.R. was a muscular and unpredictable stage performer who often leaped into the audience or onto amplifiers.
After attending a Bob Marley concert in 1979, the entire group converted to Rastafarianism, and continued interspersing their playlists with reggae songs.
Also in 1979, Bad Brains found themselves the subject of an unnoficial ban among many Washington D.C. area clubs and performance venues (later addressed in "Banned in D.C."). Bad Brains relocated to New York City. [1]
Their original recordings were released on New York's ROIR cassettes, but later they released their first l.p. Rock for Light, produced by Ric Ocasek of The Cars. SST Records released I Against I and later albums. Finally, they signed to a major label in the late 1980s to release Quickness.
Bad Brains were plagued with internal tensions nearly from their beginning: H.R. was notoriously tempermental, sometimes refusing to perform at scheduled concerts. He and drummer Earl Hudson wanted to devote the band to reggae, while Dr. Know and Jennifer were increasingly interested in heavy metal music. Charges of homophobia dogged the band--especially H.R.[2]--and H.R.s frequent unreliability cost the band a number of perfoming opportunities.
At a show in Lawrence, Kansas in 1995, H.R. allegedly high on mushrooms, bashed a mic stand against the skull of fan (some say a skinhead who was taunting him). Earlier that year, again allegedly high H.R. attacked the group's manager and brother Earl before a show in Montreal with the Beastie Boys.
The group broke up and reformed several times, replacing H.R. with singer Israel Joseph for the Epic release of Rise. The original lineup, due to legal issues, now tours under the name Soul Brains.
Legacy
Henry Rollins--one of H.R.'s temporary replacements as vocalist--considered Bad Brains among the most important rock bands, and Dave Grohl stated they were the "greatest live band ever".
Bad Brains are often considered of the first Hardcore bands along with Discharge and Black Flag.
Other bands like 311, No Doubt, and Rage Against the Machine have stated Bad Brains as significant influences to their style and have covered Bad Brains songs.
Both the Beastie Boys and Minor Threat opened for Bad Brains early in their careers and credit the band for helping inspire them early on.
Moby covers their song Sailin' On for the Never Give In: A Tribute to Bad Brains (1999, Century Media) tribute album to the band.
Sample
- Download sample of "Secret 77" from I Against I
Discography
- Bad Brains (1981, ROIR Records)
- Rock for Light (1983, Caroline Records)
- I Against I (1986, SST Records)
- Quickness (1988, Caroline Records)
- Youth Are Getting Restless: Live in Amsterdam (1989, Caroline Records)
- Rise (1993, Epic Records)
- God of Love (1995, Maverick Records)
