Name | Bad Brains |
---|
Background | group_or_band |
---|
Alias | Soul Brains |
---|
Origin | Washington, D.C., USA |
---|
Genre | Hardcore punk, though the band's members objected to this term to describe their music. They are also an adept reggae band, while later recordings featured elements of other genres like funk, heavy metal, hip-hop and soul. Bad Brains are also notable as religious followers of the Rastafari movement. |
---|
Filename | Pay to Cum.ogg |
---|
Title | "Pay to Cum" |
---|
Description | Sample of "Pay to Cum" by the Bad Brains from Pay to Cum single (1980) |
---|
Format | Ogg}} |
---|
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.
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. 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.
Two documentaries of the band are currently in production as well as a film documentary focusing on H.R.
Bad Brains were planning a three-date tour of Australia in June 2010, but were forced to cancel due to health reasons.
As of March 2011, according to Blabbermouth.net, Bad Brains have begun work on new material for their next album, which is due for release later this year.
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, 2008)
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
2011: TBA
Legacy and influence
Rock for Light was ranked #12 on Kurt Cobain's Top 50 Albums of all time.
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, Pitty, 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.
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".
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.
In the video "Soul Kiss" Perry Farrell was asked by a passerby to describe Jane's Addictions' music and replied that it was a cross between Duke Ellington and Bad Brains.
References
External links
Bad Brains' MySpace
Official website
Bad Brains at ROIR
Category:1980s music groups
Category:1990s music groups
Category:2000s music groups
Category:2010s music groups
Category:African American musical groups
Category:African American rock musicians
Category:American punk rock groups
Category:American Rastafarians
Category:Hardcore punk groups from Washington, D.C.
Category:Musical groups established in 1977
Category:Musical groups disestablished in 1984
Category:Musical groups reestablished in 1986
Category:Musical groups disestablished in 1995
Category:Musical groups reestablished in 1997
Category:Musical quartets
Category:Reachout International Records recording artists
Category:Reggae rock groups
Category:SST Records artists
Category:Maverick Records artists
Category:Caroline Records artists
Category:Victory Records artists