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Bad Brains
From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist
Bad Brains is an American punk band from Washington, D.C., founded in 1976. They are seen as pioneers of hardcore punk, although the members resist that term. The group began as a jazz fusion band under the name Mind Power, modelled on Return to Forever and Mahavishnu Orchestra. The line-up consisted of the guitarist Dr. Know, the bassist Darryl Jenifer and the brothers Paul Hudson, later known as H.R., and the drummer Earl Hudson. In 1977 the singer Sid McCray introduced them to punk. They changed their name to Bad Brains, after a song by the Ramones, and after a Bob Marley concert they also became interested in reggae and Rastafari.
Music and breakthrough
The energetic performances won them an audience in Washington, but in 1979 many clubs banned them because of their destructive fans. Banned in D.C. is about that. Around 1980 they moved to New York, where they helped get the hardcore scene going, and in 1982 they played regularly at CBGB. Their debut album Bad Brains appeared in 1982 on the label ROIR, at first on cassette only. Rock for Light followed in 1983 and I Against I in 1986, with influences from heavy metal and funk. Quickness appeared in 1989 and Rise in 1993. The band broke up several times and got back together.
Influence
Their music is fast and sharp, with reggae as a place of rest in between. Bands such as Living Colour and Fishbone, who later had success, were influenced by them. Bad Brains shows that punk and reggae together can form a single sound.
Listening
Banned in D.C. · Bad Brains, 1982Apple Music ↗
Discography
Studio albums
- 1982Bad Brains
- 1983Rock for Light
- 1986I Against I
- 1989Quickness
- 1993Rise
- 1995God of Love
- 1996Black Dots
- 2002I & I Survived (dub)
- 2007Build a Nation
- 2012Into the Future
Mentioned in other articles
- Hardcore punk Genre
Black Flag from Los Angeles, and Minor Threat and Bad Brains from Washington, played songs of less than two minutes in small venues.