Bad Brains

Bad Brains
Bad Brains performing in Baltimore in 2007
Background information
Also known as	Soul Brains
Origin	Washington, D.C., USA
Genres	Punk rock, reggae
Years active	1977–1984 1986–1995 1997–present
Labels	ROIR, Caroline, SST, Epic, Maverick, Megaforce
Associated acts	Faith No More, Black Flag
Website	BadBrains.com
Members
H.R. Dr. Know Darryl Jenifer Earl Hudson
Past members
Sid McCray Israel Joseph I Mackie Jayson Chuck Mosley

Bad Brains is an American hardcore punk band formed in Washington, D.C. in 1977. They are widely regarded as among the pioneers of the genre,^[1][2][3] though the band's members objected to the term "hardcore" to describe their music.^[4]

Originally formed as a jazz fusion ensemble under the name Mind Power, Bad Brains developed a very fast and intense punk rock sound known as hardcore punk and was often played faster and more emphatically than the music of many of their peers. The unique factor of the band's music was the fact that they played more complex rhythms than that of other hardcore punk bands, also adapting non-punk style riffs/solos into their songs.

They were also an adept reggae band, in a sort of Jekyll-and-Hyde arrangement, while later recordings featured elements of other genres. Bad Brains are also notable as religious followers of the Rastafari movement.

Bad Brains broke up and reformed several times over the years, sometimes with different singers and/or drummers. The band's classic and current lineup is singer H.R., guitarist Dr. Know, bassist Darryl Jenifer, and drummer Earl Hudson, H.R.'s younger brother.

History

From fusion to hardcore (1977–1985)

Bad Brains at 9:30 Club, Washington, D.C., 1983

The band was first founded as a jazz-fusion ensemble called Mind Power (1975), with singer Sid McCray, in the mold of bands such as Chick Corea's Return to Forever and John McLaughlin's Mahavishnu Orchestra. In 1977, McCray introduced the rest of the band, who were already interested in bands such as Black Sabbath, to punk rock, including the Dickies, the Dead Boys, and the Sex Pistols. Mind Power became obsessed with punk rock and changed their name to "Bad Brains", after the Ramones song "Bad Brain" but with the word "bad" in the sense of "powerful". Despite their burgeoning punk sound, the early Bad Brains also delved deep into reggae music.^[5] McCray left in the early days of the group's hardcore-punk era, and guitarist H.R. became the band's singer.^[6]

The band developed an early reputation in Washington D.C., due in part to the relative novelty of an entirely African-American band playing punk rock, but also due to their high-energy performances and undeniable talent.^[5]

In 1979, Bad Brains found themselves the subject of an unofficial ban among many Washington D.C. area clubs and performance venues (later addressed in their song, "Banned in D.C."). The band subsequently relocated to New York City.^[5]

Their self-titled debut album was released on Neil Cooper's ROIR Records on "cassette only" in January 1982, followed in 1983 by Rock for Light, produced by Ric Ocasek of The Cars. These two albums, containing hardcore punk and mellow reggae, were landmarks, influencing an entire generation of musicians, including Beastie Boys, Rage Against The Machine, Red Hot Chili Peppers, 311, Living Colour, Sublime, Deftones and more.

The band fought constantly with H.R., and in 1984, they broke up; it was the first of many splits. H.R. began a solo career releasing many albums from 1984 to 2000.

Change of style (1986–1992)

In 1986, Bad Brains reunited and SST Records released I Against I. H.R. provided the vocals for "Sacred Love" over the phone from the Lorton Reformatory while doing a bid for a cannabis charge. Also critically praised was H.R.'s performance: "he digs deep into his bag of voices and pulls them all out, one by one: the frightening nasal falsetto that was his signature in the band's hardcore days, an almost bel canto baritone, and a declamatory speed-rap chatter that spews lyrics with the mechanical precision of a machine gun".^[7] The title track's video was shown on MTV's then-new 120 Minutes program, for which the band appeared in promotional footage. Despite the success of I Against I, Bad Brains broke up again after spending most of 1987 touring.

The group signed with Caroline Records in the late 1980s to release Quickness in 1989.

Bad Brains were plagued by internal tensions nearly from their beginning. Aside from the problems with H.R., who sometimes refused to perform at scheduled concerts, he and his younger brother, drummer Earl Hudson, also wanted to devote the band strictly to reggae, while Dr. Know and Darryl Jenifer were increasingly interested in heavy metal music. H.R. was replaced by Taj Singleton for the Quickness tour.

H.R. experienced financial problems after an unsuccessful European tour with the group Human Rights, while touring replacement singer Taj Singleton did not fit well with Bad Brains. H.R. and Earl both returned to the band. After the Quickness tour, H.R. and Earl left once again and H.R. was replaced by former Faith No More vocalist Chuck Mosley. Soon afterwards, Bad Brains broke up yet again.

In 1990, Bad Brains backed longtime friend, fan, and protege Henry Rollins on a cover version of The MC5's "Kick out the Jams". The recording appears on the soundtrack to the film Pump Up the Volume.

Lineup change and reunions (1993–2000)

As bands influenced by Bad Brains (such as Living Colour and Fishbone) enjoyed commercial success, Dr. Know was approached by Epic Records in 1993, offering the band a major-label record deal. The former Cro-Mags drummer Mackie Jayson (who had played as a session musician on Quickness), and vocalist Israel Joseph I joined at this time. Rise was released in 1993.

With the original band back together for the first time in five years, Bad Brains signed to the Maverick Records label for the 1995 release God of Love.

Two years later, the band worked together to remaster some early studio recordings which were then released as the EP The Omega Sessions by Victory Records. In 1999, the original lineup toured under the name Soul Brains.^[5] A live album, A Bad Brains Reunion Live from Maritime Hall was released in 2000.

Soul Brains was the name used by the original Bad Brains from 1999 to 2001.

New millennium (2001-present)

H.R. appeared on the track "Without Jah, Nothin' ", on P.O.D.'s Satellite (2001). In 2002, Bad Brains released I & I Survived. In 2004, Lil' Jon, recruited Dr. Know, Jenifer and Earl Hudson to back him on a version of his song "Real Nigga Roll Call," which interpolated the music of "Re-Ignition." The recording appeared on the limited-edition release of Lil' Jon's album Crunk Juice. The accompanying DVD featured footage of the session.

H.R. performed the song "Who's Got the Herb?" with the band 311 on June 22, 2004, in Long Beach, California.

In 2005, Darryl Jenifer told Billboard that the band was in the studio recording their first proper studio album in ten years, to be released later in the year. Beastie Boy Adam Yauch also gave interviews indicating that he was producing the sessions, for which basic tracks featuring the original lineup had been recorded.

In late 2005, it was announced that Bad Brains would headline a two-date show at CBGB's, which was scheduled for February, 2006. In 2006, H.R. & Dubb Agents headlined a series of Global Rock Showcase dates across the United States. Dates include Little Steven Van Zandt's "Save CBGB Rally" concert in Washington Square Park, New York City. H.R. has a long time association with Global Rock Showcase organizers D.I.A. Records, and released an album through them titled Out Of Bounds.

On hiatus from Global Rock Showcases, in the fall of 2006, H.R. reunited with Bad Brains for two dates at CBGB's. While H.R. & Dubb Agents geared up to tour Global Rock Showcases '07 dates, in early January 2007, Bad Brains had Build a Nation released on June 26, 2007. The album debuted at #100 on the Billboard 200. Scheduled between Global Rock Showcase dates, Bad Brains played five dates including Sasquatch Fest (June 2007). These were followed by concerts in California and a European tour in October, 2007. Upon return to the U.S. the band took stage in Chicago for the Riotfest rock concert. The internet has also contributed to the band's resurgence, as it is now possible to view old and new concert footage via Youtube, or read archived interviews.

The video for the song "Give Thanks and Praises" can be seen online on the band's MySpace page as of August 2007. Director Shavo Odadjian makes an appearance at the end of the concert video with frontman H.R.

Before the release of the new album, Dr. Know stated he was eager for the band to record more albums. H.R. continued to tour solo with DIA Records Global Rock Showcase through the remainder of 2007, with his instrumental section Dub Agents. The title of bassist Darryl Jenifer's solo effort is Blackvova Universal Sound.

In January 2008, the band announced they are working on a box set of 7" vinyl records.^[8]

Bad Brains toured South America during April 2008 with former singer Israel Joseph I (who was in the Bad Brains from 1992–1994 and appeared on the album Rise), temporarily filling in for H.R. The band performed at the Smoke Out festival in San Bernardino, California on October 24, 2009.^[9]

Two documentaries of the band are currently in production as well as a film documentary focusing on H.R.^[10]

According to their official website, Bad Brains were planning a three-date tour of Australia in June 2010, but were forced to cancel due to health reasons.^[11]

Members

Current members

• H.R. — lead vocals (1978–1984, 1986–1989, 1990, 1994–1995, 1997–present), guitar (1977–1978)
• Dr. Know — guitar (1977–1984, 1986–1995, 1997–present)
• Darryl Jenifer — bass (1977–1984, 1986–1995, 1997–present)
• Earl Hudson — drums, percussion (1977–1984, 1986–1991, 1994–1995, 1997–present)

Former members

• Sid McCray — lead vocals (1977–1978)
• Chuck Mosley — lead vocals (1990–1991)
• Israel Joseph I — lead vocals (1991–1994, 2009)
• Ambrose Nzams — bass (1977-1978)
• Mackie Jayson — drums, percussion (1991–1994)

Timeline

• Note: Bad Brains were inactive during the period 1984-1986, and 1995-1997.

Discography

For a more comprehensive list, see Bad Brains discography.

• 1982: Bad Brains
• 1983: Rock for Light
• 1986: I Against I
• 1989: Quickness
• 1993: Rise
• 1995: God of Love
• 2002: I & I Survived
• 2007: Build a Nation

Legacy and influence

• Bad Brains were ranked #99 on VH1's 100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock.
• Henry Rollins, who had been personally encouraged by H.R. to become a singer himself – even to the point where H.R. would drag the young Rollins onstage and make him sing a song with the rest of the band, long before Rollins formed State of Alert or joined Black Flag – considered Bad Brains among the most important rock bands. Adam Yauch of Beastie Boys (who started off as a hardcore punk band) also shares Rollins' sentiments, citing Bad Brains as his main influence. Dave Grohl stated that they were the "greatest live band ever". Rapper and hip-hop producer Lil Jon also considers the 'Brains among his favorite bands.
• Moby covered their song "Sailin' On" for the Never Give In: A Tribute to Bad Brains (1999, Century Media) tribute album to the band. Living Colour, No Doubt, HIM, Some Days You Just Can't Get Rid Of A Bomb, Outbreak, Soulfly on their album "Conquer" and John Frusciante of Red Hot Chili Peppers have also covered "Sailin' On".
• Dr. Know plays in Mos Def's backing band, Black Jack Johnson. He also played additional guitar on the Coheed and Cambria song "Time Consumer" featured on the album The Second Stage Turbine Blade.
• Billy Corgan credits Bad Brains' combination of hardcore punk and reggae as a primary influence for The Smashing Pumpkins hybrid of soft and loud music after attending a live show by the band in 1986. Years later the Pumpkins had Bad Brains open for them for a show in Paris, which Corgan has cited as a highlight of his career.
• Minor Threat, who also were formed in Washington, D.C., were influenced by this type of hardcore punk and adopted it as their primary style.
• Beastie Boys were Bad Brains fans, and they intentionally selected a name with the initials B.B. because of this.^[12]
• Post-hardcore band The Bled covered their song "House of Suffering" for the Tony Hawk's American Wasteland soundtrack.
• The album The First Three Years by singer/songwriter Frank Turner includes an acoustic cover version of "Pay To Cum".
• Oakland-based groove metal band Machine Head also covered "House of Suffering" as a Japanese bonus track to their 1999 album The Burning Red.
• On their album Soundsystem, 311 covered Bad Brains' song "Leaving Babylon".
• On their album Master of Styles, The Urge covered Bad Brains' song "Gene Machine".
• "Pay to Cum" was used in a scene in the 1985 Martin Scorsese film After Hours.
• "Big Takeover" was covered by John Frusciante of Red Hot Chili Peppers on his first solo album, Niandra LaDes and Usually Just a T-Shirt, released in 1994.
• "House of Suffering" was covered live by Sublime and is featured on their boxset Everything Under the Sun, released in 2006. Also featured on the boxset is a live performance of "Leaving Babylon".
• "Pay to Cum" was covered by the ska band Skankin' Pickle on their cover album The Green Album.
• Long-time friend and original Bad Brains singer Sid McCray still works with the band today, accompanying them on tour, setting up for shows, and in other capacities.
• Dutch skateboard brand Built To Destroy made a signature model for skateboarder Nelson Mosikili of which the artwork is directly adapted from the artwork from the Destroy Babylon single.
• The Beastie Boys' song "Pass the Mic" contains a guitar riff sample from the Bad Brains song "Big Takeover"^[13].
• The Hive song "Ultrasonic Sound," which is featured on The Matrix soundtrack is built off of a sample of Bad Brains' Re-Ignition.
• Brazilian metal band Sepultura covered the song "Gene Machine/Don't Bother Me" as a b-side for their 1998 single, Choke.
• Pro skateboarder Bucky Lasek, a Baltimore native, listed Bad Brains as his No. 1 musical artist on his blog on his official web site, buckylasekskate.com.
• Adam Jones (guitarist of Tool) listed Dr Know (Miller) among his top 10 influences/inspirations in music magazine Guitar World (vol.30, no.4, April 2009)
• The track "Telegram" on Saul Williams' self titled album contains a sample of Supertouch & Shitfit by Bad Brains
• Frank, a recurring character on the TV show My Name is Earl, normally wears a Bad Brains T-shirt whenever he is not in prison clothing.
• In a sketch on Vic Reeves Big Night Out, featuring 'Mr Dennis' a character played by Bob Mortimer named 'Mr Lister' claims to have recently attended a Bad Brains concert.

References

External links

• Bad Brains' MySpace
• Official website
• Please state the type.
• Bad Brains at ROIR