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Bad Brains
Bad Brains performing in Baltimore in 2007
Background information
Also known as	Soul Brains
Origin	Washington, D.C., USA
Genres	Hardcore punk,[1] reggae,[1] heavy metal[1]
Years active	1977–1995, 1998–present
Labels	ROIR, Caroline, SST, Epic/SME, Maverick/Warner Bros, Megaforce
Associated acts	Cro-Mags, Faith No More, Black Flag, Beastie Boys, Mos Def (Black Jack Johnson)
Website	www.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 hardcore punk,^[1][2][3] though the band's members objected to this term to describe their music.^[4] They are also an adept reggae band, while later recordings featured elements of other genres like funk,^[5] heavy metal,^[1] hip-hop and soul.^[5] Bad Brains are followers of the Rastafari movement.^[5]

Originally formed as a jazz funk fusion ensemble under the name Mind Power,^[5] Bad Brains developed a very fast and intense punk rock sound which came to be labeled "hardcore", 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 guitar riffs and solos into their songs.

Bad Brains have released 8 studio albums (one of which is entirely composed of instrumental versions of their past material). The band broke up and reformed several times over the years, sometimes with different singers or drummers. The band's classic and current lineup is singer H.R. (Human Rights), guitarist Dr. Know, bassist Darryl Jenifer, and drummer Earl Hudson, H.R.'s younger brother.

History[link]

From fusion to hardcore (1977–1985)[link]

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

The band was first founded as a jazz funk fusion ensemble called Mind Power (1975) ^[5] in the mold of bands such as Chick Corea's Return to Forever and John McLaughlin's Mahavishnu Orchestra as well as creative funk master Stevie Wonder. In 1977, their friend Sid McCray introduced 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",^[5] after the Ramones song "Bad Brain", but with the word "bad" in the sense of "good".^[5] Despite their burgeoning punk sound, the early Bad Brains, after seeing Bob Marley in concert, also delved deep into reggae music and the Rastafari movement.^[6] Sid McCray became their first singer but left in the early days of the group's hardcore punk era, and guitarist H.R. became the band's new singer.^[7]

	"Pay to Cum" noicon Sample of "Pay to Cum" by the Bad Brains from Pay to Cum single (1980)
Problems listening to this file? See media help.

	"I Against I" noicon Sample of "I Against I" by the Bad Brains from I Against I (1986)
Problems listening to this file? See media help.

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.^[6]

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.^[6]

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.

New sounds (1986–1989)[link]

In 1986, Bad Brains signed with SST Records and released I Against I.^[1] which, in addition to their hardcore punk and reggae sounds, introduced a heavy metal/funk hybrid sound that would in subsequent years be emulated by many popular bands. 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".^[8] 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, H.R. quit the band again, taking his brother Earl with him after spending most of 1987 touring. 1988 dates for the I Against I tour were done with Taj Singleton on vocals and Mackie Jayson on drums. In 1988 the Bad Brains signed with Caroline Records, who released their fourth album Quickness the following year. Since vocalist H.R. and his brother, drummer Earl Hudson were unavailable for the recording sessions, Quickness was originally recorded with Taj Singleton on vocals and Mackie Jayson on drums but before Quickness was ready for mastering, H.R. decided that he wanted to return, rewrite the lyrics and record the vocals for Quickness so Taj Singleton's lyrics and vocals were replaced by H.R.'s.

More turmoil and more singers (1990–1994)[link]

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 and sessions, he and his younger brother, drummer Earl Hudson, also wanted to devote the band strictly to reggae,^[1] while Dr. Know and Darryl Jenifer were increasingly interested in heavy rock.^[1]

H.R. experienced financial problems after an unsuccessful European tour with the group Human Rights and Bad Brains touring replacement singer Taj Singleton did not fit well with the band so H.R. and Earl both returned for the Quickness tour. 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.

As bands influenced by Bad Brains (such as Living Colour and Fishbone) enjoyed commercial success, Dr. Know was approached by Epic Records in 1992, 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. The Rise tour began in 1993 with Mackie Jayson on drums and finished in 1994 with drummer Chuck Treece.

Reunion with the original lineup and name change (1995–2004)[link]

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.^[5]

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 1998-1999, the original lineup toured under the name Soul Brains.^[6] A live album, A Bad Brains Reunion Live from Maritime Hall was released in 2001.

Soul Brains was the name used by the original Bad Brains from 1998 to 2001.

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 his song "Who's Got the Herb?" with the band 311 on June 22, 2004, in Long Beach, California. H.R. was also featured in a live song version of "Shame in Dem Game" with Sublime, who are also from Long Beach, California.

[edit] Build a Nation and recent activities (2005–present)

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 late 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 In Search of Black Judas.

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

Bad Brains toured South America during April 2008 with former singer Israel Joseph I (who was in the Bad Brains from 1991–1994 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]

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

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.^[12]

Members[link]

Current members[link]

• H.R. — lead vocals (1978–1990, 1994–1995, 1998–present), guitar (1977–1978)
• Dr. Know — guitar (1977–1995, 1998–present)
• Darryl Jenifer — bass (1977–1995, 1998–present)
• Earl Hudson — drums, percussion (1977–1990, 1994–1995, 1998–present)

Former members[link]

• Sid McCray — lead vocals (1977–1978)
• Mackie Jayson — drums, percussion (1988-1993)
• Taj Singleton — lead vocals (1988-1989)
• Chuck Mosley — lead vocals (1990–1991)
• Israel Joseph I — lead vocals (1991–1994, 2008)
• Chuck Treece — drums (1994)

Timeline[link]

• Note: Bad Brains were inactive during the period 1996–1997.

Discography[link]

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

References[link]

External links[link]

• Bad Brains' MySpace
• Official website
• Bad Brains at Allmusic
• Bad Brains at ROIR