Bad Brains

Template:Short description Template:Use mdy dates Template:For Template:Infobox musical artist

Bad Brains are an American punk rock band formed in Washington, D.C., in 1976. They are widely regarded as pioneers of hardcore punk,<ref name=Erlewine>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=metblogs>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=virginmusic>Template:Cite web</ref> though the band's members have objected to the use of this term to describe their music.<ref>See the documentary film Punk Attitude.</ref> They are also an adept reggae band, while later recordings featured elements of other genres like funk,<ref name=Barry>Template:Cite news</ref> heavy metal,<ref name=Erlewine/> hip hop, and soul.<ref name=Barry/> Rolling Stone magazine called them "the mother of all black hard-rock bands",<ref name=washingtonpost>Template:Cite news</ref> and they have been cited as a seminal influence to numerous other subgenres in addition to hardcore punk, including various subgenres of heavy metal, such as thrash/speed metal, alternative metal, and funk metal.<ref name=loudersound>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=loudersound2>Template:Cite web</ref> Bad Brains are followers of the Rastafari movement.<ref name=Barry/>

Bad Brains have released nine studio albums. They have broken up and reformed several times over their career, sometimes with different singers or drummers. The band originally formed in 1976 as a jazz fusion act under the name Mind Power. Their classic lineup includes singer H.R., guitarist Dr. Know, bassist Darryl Jenifer, and drummer Earl Hudson. This lineup was intact until 1987 and has reunited periodically in the years since. Many notable bands and artists cite Bad Brains as an artistic influence on their music.

History

Formation and early years (1976–1985)

The band's origins date to 1976, when the members first came together as a jazz fusion band called Mind Power,<ref name="Barry" /> in the mold of bands such as Return to Forever and Mahavishnu Orchestra.<ref name=":0">Template:Cite web</ref> The group included lead guitarist Dr. Know (Gary Miller), bassist Darryl Jenifer, and brothers Paul Hudson (later known as H.R.) on rhythm guitar and Earl Hudson on drums.

In 1977, the band's then-singer Sid McCray introduced them to punk rock.<ref name=":0" /> Mind Power decided to switch their sound to hardcore punk and changed their name to Bad Brains,<ref name="Barry" /> after the Ramones song "Bad Brain."<ref name="Barry" /> Despite their burgeoning punk sound, after seeing Bob Marley in concert, the band also became interested in reggae music and the Rastafari movement.<ref name="Moskowitz_06" /> McCray was briefly the singer for the new hardcore punk incarnation of the band, but he soon departed, and H.R. switched from guitar to lead vocals.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

The band gained a fan base in Washington D.C. due to their high-energy performances and occasional reggae songs.<ref name="Moskowitz_06">Template:Cite book</ref> In 1979, they were blacklisted from many Washington area clubs due to their destructive fans;<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> this was later addressed in their song "Banned in D.C.".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Around 1980, the band relocated to New York City, where they would serve as a catalyst for that city's then-burgeoning hardcore scene.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

File:Bad brains 1983.jpg

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

By 1982, they were a regular act at the New York venue CBGB.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Dr. Know recalled, "We played CB's every friggin' night. This whole 'Sunday matinee' thing is from us. When we first played, nobody was there. It's like, 'Who are these niggers?' And we're in their face, killing it. We got a weekend day, and by then a little buzz started happening."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Their self-titled debut album was released on the ROIR label, originally on cassette only, in 1982,<ref>Template:Citation</ref> followed in 1983 by Rock for Light, produced by Ric Ocasek of The Cars.<ref>Template:Citation</ref> In 1985, the Bad Brains song "Pay to Cum" was featured in Martin Scorsese's film After Hours.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>

Stylistic expansion and lineup changes (1986–1994)

In 1986, Bad Brains signed with SST Records and released I Against I. In addition to the band's hardcore punk and reggae sounds, this album added elements from heavy metal and funk.<ref name=":1">Template:Citation</ref> H.R. provided the vocals for the song "Sacred Love" over the phone from the Lorton Reformatory while serving time for a cannabis charge.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> H.R. gained additional critical notice for his expanded vocal style on I Against I; according to Rick Anderson of AllMusic, "[HR] 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".<ref name=":1" />

File:Chuck Mosley.jpg

Chuck Mosley fronted Bad Brains from 1990 to 1991.

H.R. and Earl Hudson quit the band in 1987 to focus on reggae music. Touring for I Against I was completed with singer Taj Singleton and former Cro-Mags drummer Mackie Jayson.<ref name="Erlewine" /> In 1988, Bad Brains signed with Caroline Records and began recording the album Quickness.<ref>Template:Citation</ref> The album was recorded with Singleton and Jayson, but the Hudson brothers returned to the band in 1989 and H.R. replaced Singleton's work with new lyrics and vocals.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Released in September of that year, Quickness saw Bad Brains expand their sound from that of I Against I, and has also been recognized as one of the early groove metal albums.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

During this period, the Hudson brothers, who wanted to steer the band toward reggae, often clashed with Dr. Know and Jenifer, who were increasingly interested in hard rock and heavy metal.<ref name="Erlewine" /> H.R. often failed to turn up for scheduled concerts and recording sessions. After the tour supporting Quickness ended in 1990, the Hudson brothers again quit the band. Mackie Jayson rejoined on drums, while former Faith No More member Chuck Mosley took over on lead vocals,<ref name="rollingstone.com">Template:Cite magazine</ref> and was then replaced by Israel Joseph I (Dexter Pinto).<ref name="Erlewine" /> Also in 1990, the band collaborated with Henry Rollins on a cover of The MC5's "Kick Out the Jams", which appears on the soundtrack to the film Pump Up the Volume.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

As bands influenced by Bad Brains (such as Living Colour and Fishbone) enjoyed commercial success, Epic Records approached Dr. Know in 1992 and offered the band their first major-label record deal.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The album Rise was released by Epic in 1993.<ref>Template:Citation</ref> Jayson left the band in the middle of the ensuing tour and was temporarily replaced by Chuck Treece.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Original lineup reunions and name change (1994–2004)

The Hudson brothers again returned to the band in 1994,<ref name="Barry" /> and they signed with Maverick Records for the 1995 album God of Love.<ref>Template:Citation</ref> In support of the album, Bad Brains opened for the Beastie Boys on their Ill Communication tour, and headlined a U.S. tour with a then-unknown Deftones.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> However, the reunion did not last for long, because of H.R.'s erratic behavior while performing and several violent incidents against the band's manager, fans, and venue employees. H.R. landed in jail and the band broke up once again.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In 1997 Bad Brains reconvened to remaster some early recordings, which were released as the EP The Omega Sessions.<ref>Template:Citation</ref> From 1998 to 2001, the original lineup toured under the name Soul Brains and released two live albums.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Build a Nation and Into the Future (2005–2015)

In 2005 the band, known once again as Bad Brains, announced that they were recording their first album of new material in ten years, with MCA of the Beastie Boys producing.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> They played their first shows in several years at CBGB in 2006.<ref name="Erlewine" /> Build a Nation was released in 2007.<ref>Template:Citation</ref> The band toured extensively in 2007–2008, with former singer Israel Joseph I filling in for H.R. on some dates. Daryl Jenifer released the solo album In Search of Black Judas in 2010.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> A short Bad Brains tour of Australia planned for 2010 was cancelled for health reasons.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Bad Brains announced the recording of another new album in 2011.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Into the Future was released in late 2012,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and included a tribute to the recently deceased MCA.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On the ensuing tour, the band added touring keyboardist Jamie Saft.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2014 the band hinted at another new album,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> though no such album has yet been released. Also in 2014, author Greg Prato released the book Punk! Hardcore! Reggae! PMA! Bad Brains! which recounted the band's history.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2015 the band recorded the live EP The Woodstock Sessions; H.R. did not participate for undisclosed reasons and was replaced by Jamaican singer Jesse Royal.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> H.R.'s status at the band remained unclear throughout that year.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Recent developments (2015–present)

In November 2015, Dr. Know suffered a heart attack and was placed on life support due to the risk of organ failure.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> After three months in the hospital he made a full recovery, thanks in part to a GoFundMe campaign organized by his bandmates.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In March 2016, H.R. announced that he had been diagnosed with a rare type of headache called SUNCT, and received treatment for this condition and other ongoing health issues thanks to another GoFundMe campaign.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>

In October 2016, Bad Brains were nominated for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> but were not inducted. In a December 2016 interview with Rolling Stone, Dr. Know and Darryl Jenifer discussed the band members' health issues and the future of the band. They announced that they hoped to record a new album titled Mind Power, after the band's short-lived original moniker.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> In June 2017, the band played a show featuring guest appearances by Randy Blythe and original Bad Brains singer Sid McCray, who sang with the band for the first time in 39 years.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Former singer Chuck Mosley died in November 2017.<ref name="rollingstone.com"/> Sid McCray died in September 2020.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Legacy

Many notable bands and artists cite Bad Brains as an artistic influence on their music, including the Beastie Boys, Nirvana, Foo Fighters, Guns N' Roses, Soundgarden, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Jane's Addiction, Faith No More, Rage Against the Machine, Deftones, Clutch, Green Day, the Offspring, the Roots, Lamb of God, Sublime, No Doubt, Anthrax, Living Colour, 311 and Fishbone.<ref name=washingtonpost/><ref name=loudersound/><ref name=loudersound2/><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Band members

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Current members

Dr. Know – lead and rhythm guitar, keyboards (1976–1995, 1998–present)
Darryl Jenifer – bass (1976–1995, 1998–present)
H.R. – vocals, occasional rhythm guitar (1976–1987, 1989–1990, 1994–1995, 1998–present)
Earl Hudson – drums (1976–1987, 1989–1990, 1994–1995, 1998–present)

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Former members

Sid McCray – vocals (1977–1978, 2017; died 2020)
Mackie Jayson – drums (1988–1989, 1990–1993)
Taj Singleton – vocals (1988–1989)
Chuck Mosley – vocals (1990–1991; died 2017)
Israel Joseph I – vocals (1991–1994, 2008)
Chuck Treece – drums (1994)
Jesse Royal – vocals (2015)

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Timeline

<timeline> ImageSize = width:900 height:auto barincrement:20 PlotArea = left:90 bottom:75 top:10 right:20 Alignbars = justify DateFormat = mm/dd/yyyy Period = from:01/01/1976 till:{{#time:m/d/Y}} TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal format:yyyy Legend = orientation:vertical position:bottom columns:3 ScaleMajor = increment:5 start:1976 ScaleMinor = increment:1 start:1977

Colors =

 id:vocals    value:red         legend:Vocals
 id:guitar    value:green       legend:Guitar
 id:bass      value:blue        legend:Bass
 id:drums     value:orange      legend:Drums
 id:lines1    value:black       legend:Studio_album

LineData =

 at:02/10/1982 color:black layer:back
 at:05/15/1983 color:black layer:back
 at:11/20/1986 color:black layer:back
 at:09/14/1989 color:black layer:back
 at:08/17/1993 color:black layer:back
 at:05/28/1995 color:black layer:back
 at:11/26/2002 color:black layer:back
 at:06/26/2007 color:black layer:back
 at:11/20/2012 color:black layer:back

BarData =

 bar:McCray     text:"Sid McCray"
 bar:H.R.       text:"H.R."
 bar:Singleton  text:"Taj Singleton"
 bar:Mosley     text:"Chuck Mosley"
 bar:Israel     text:"Israel Joseph I"
 bar:Know       text:"Dr. Know"
 bar:Jenifer    text:"Darryl Jenifer"
 bar:Hudson     text:"Earl Hudson"
 bar:Jayson     text:"Mackie Jayson"
 bar:Treece     text:"Chuck Treece"

PlotData=

 width:11 textcolor:black align:left anchor:from shift:(11,-4)
 bar:McCray    from:01/01/1976 till:12/31/1977  color:vocals
 bar:H.R.      from:01/01/1976 till:12/31/1977  color:guitar
 bar:H.R.      from:01/01/1978 till:10/05/1987  color:vocals
 bar:Singleton from:10/05/1987 till:05/01/1989  color:vocals
 bar:H.R.      from:05/01/1989 till:08/15/1990  color:vocals
 bar:Mosley    from:08/15/1990 till:10/15/1991  color:vocals
 bar:Israel    from:10/05/1991 till:09/20/1994  color:vocals
 bar:H.R.      from:09/20/1994 till:08/15/1995  color:vocals
 bar:H.R.      from:05/18/1998 till:end         color:vocals
 bar:Know      from:01/01/1976 till:08/15/1995  color:guitar
 bar:Know      from:05/18/1998 till:end         color:guitar
 bar:Jenifer   from:01/01/1976 till:08/15/1995  color:bass
 bar:Jenifer   from:05/18/1998 till:end         color:bass
 bar:Hudson    from:01/01/1976 till:10/05/1987  color:drums
 bar:Jayson    from:10/05/1987 till:05/01/1989  color:drums
 bar:Hudson    from:05/01/1989 till:08/15/1990  color:drums
 bar:Jayson    from:08/15/1990 till:01/01/1994  color:drums
 bar:Treece    from:01/01/1994 till:09/20/1994  color:drums
 bar:Hudson    from:09/20/1994 till:08/15/1995  color:drums
 bar:Hudson    from:05/18/1998 till:end         color:drums

</timeline>