Bad Brains: The Nucleus of Hardcore
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- Опубліковано 8 чер 2024
- History Lesson on the Hardcore godfathers: Washington DC’s Bad Brains! Along with some added trivia and thoughts from yours truly. Enjoy.
Spotify Playlist:
open.spotify.com/playlist/1ES...
My Patreon:
www.patreon.com/user?u=70564403
Mind Power Demo:
• Bad Brains - Mindpower...
I & I Survive EP:
• Bad Brains - I And I S...
Chapters:
Intro: 0:00 - 2:05
Early years as Mind Power: 2:05 - 4:04
Black Dots Demo and early shows: 4:04 - 8:03
First Time in NY: 8:03 - 9:43
Return to DC, Mo Sussman, & Reggae: 9:43 - 14:33
Return to NY & ’82 Self-title: 14:33 - 16:12
First US Tours, EPs, & Rock For Light: 16:12 - 19:05
I Against I: 19:05 - 22:05
Hiatus & HR side projects: 22:05 - 23:28
Member changes & Quickness: 23:28 - 25:24
Israel Joseph & Rise: 25:24 - 26:27
God of Love & Breakup: 26:27 - 28:52
’98 reunion & recent endeavors: 28:52 - 29:42
Legacy: 29:42 - 33:46
Closing Thoughts: 33:46 - 35:14
I discovered them in 1981 and I would never believed 6 years later my band Leeway would open for them.....Leeway played roughly 100 shows with the original members along with the other vocalists who performed and/or recorded with them. Leeway did 10 or the 12+ weeks on the 1989 Quickness tour in the US
I'll never forget being graced by them I'm still trying to perform despite fighting cancer for over 2 years now I have such fond memories.....BAD BRAINS should be in The Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame there will never be such a transforming musical entity like Bad Brains....period*
BAD BRAINS are The Beatles of American Hardcore music and the world*
That's so great! I love Leeway btw, and the Bad Brains!!
Hey man, Leeway rule. Sending prayers and healing to you.
Dude, my Born To Expire sweatshirt starts so many conversations when I wear it. Hope you're in good health Eddie.
Yooooo, I saw y’all open for them in Chapel Hill in like…1988? I had been a Bad Brains fan for years already and had come across Leeway as a DJ at the college radio station WQFS. “Be Loud” was in heavy rotation. Anyway, that was a great show, despite the Brains being very late showing up and HR having gotten stung by a bee on his eye while the bus was stalled out on the side of the road (which was what we heard). Stay strong, man…whoop that cancer’s ass.
bad brains is the best to ever do it
And they were always there to DO IT.
@@alexhennigh5242 ive seen them twice and they kick more ass than the youtube vids can show
I wouldn’t argue.
It’s cuz they got that pma
@@quentinpaulson7626 I saw them maybe 2014ish. I can't remember the year and they still killed it
I'm a black musician myself and yes they're a big influence on me they blew my mind the first time I saw one of their live videos especially hearing "attitude" for the first time
You ever listen to Death? They are 3 black dudes from Detroit. They are sometimes referred as the first black punk band...I would say maybe the first period. Good shit,man!!
@@claytonjones8358 yes sir know a lot about them from the early mid 70s the first death
Im 34 and literally JUST discovered this band... only bc I was watching Steve-O's Wild Ride Podcast on YT with his guest comedian FRED ARMISEN. During the Podcast he asks Fred what his top-5 Punk albums all-time are and Fred mentions Bad Brains - I Against I. Steve-O Literally busts outloud saying "I KNEW IT - MINE TOO". They both went on to basically say that Bad Brains might be the best punk band of all-time!
I researched them right after the podcast and was BLOWN AWAY with how good that band is. I personally for YEARS was wondering why there was never a full black HARD ROCK BAND and low and behold at the age of 34 I FOUND THEM!!! Bad Brains is the best full on hardcore punk/ alternative metal/ punk rock band EVER TO EXIST!! So glad I watched that podcast of Steve-Os!
I went on ebay this week and got I Against I on vinyl! Looking at their 82' album too. Bad Brains - Bad Brains.
I gotta say Re-Ignition, Right Brigade, She's calling you, are some of my early fav songs of theirs.
@@Habeev07 I'm just discovering them at the age of 20 so you know just grateful to know they exist and have formed such a culture/community it really gives me genuine positive hope as a black female guitarist from the D(M)V
2:53 the idea chick Corea in a weird way had a influence on hardcore punk is funny yet badass to me
Bad Brains stood so far above their peers in the early 80s hardcore punk scene. The best bands deferred to their greatness.
Pay to Cum changed the game. The most explosive, fast, energetic minute and a half ever put to vinyl. 40 plus years on and it still gets me pumped
I got the Let them Eat Jellybeans comp and yeah. I was 14 had no real idea what the song was about but instantly I was ..this. I wanted that over and over again.
yes, i love the joy it brings to my smiling face
PTC is a righteous fucking hornet's nest !!!
@@AndresFCamacho PTC stood out like a pit-bull at a poodle party on the Let them eat jellybeans comp.!? It tore my head completely off, kinda like when i first heard, RAW POWER's tune 'fuck authority', absolute madness.
The 7" version.🔥
I remember discovering the Bad Brains as a thrash metal kid in 1989. Truly, it was a life-changing moment - nothing was the same ever again. One of the most powerful bands I have had the pleasure to witness and listen to.
🫡
Being about 18 when the "crossover" happened. What a great time.
Saw Metallica and Bad Brains live the same week 🤘
They really were more of a thrash band than punk. Especially at that point.
Im 34 and literally JUST discovered this band... only bc I was watching Steve-O's Wild Ride Podcast on YT with his guest comedian FRED ARMISEN. During the Podcast he asks Fred what his top-5 Punk albums all-time are and Fred mentions Bad Brains - I Against I. Steve-O Literally busts outloud saying "I KNEW IT - MINE TOO". They both went on to basically say that Bad Brains might be the best punk band of all-time!
I researched them right after the podcast and was BLOWN AWAY with how good that band is. I personally for YEARS was wondering why there was never a full black HARD ROCK BAND and low and behold at the age of 34 I FOUND THEM!!! Bad Brains is the best full on hardcore punk/ alternative metal/ punk rock band EVER TO EXIST!! So glad I watched that podcast of Steve-Os!
I went on ebay this week and got I Against I on vinyl! Looking at their 82' album too. Bad Brains - Bad Brains.
I gotta say Re-Ignition is on of my early fav songs of theirs.
Pure Hell was another underrated all black punk band from the same era as Bad Brains and worth checking out and of course Death the punk band from Michigan.
I’ve been a Bad Brains fan for 37 years and this is one of the best videos I’ve ever seen on them. They are the inventors of Hardcore, the biggest and most successful band that was heavily influenced by Bad Brains is Rage Against the Machine. Zach’s stage presence is very HR influenced and both he and the bass player from Rage Against the Machine have said that they are big Bad Brains fans. They fused Punk, Hardcore, Metal, Funk and Hip Hop together and have a message and meaning to their music as well.
Listen to Big Zit and come back later...
Dude Zach was and is a big hardcore punk fan - check out his hardcore band 'Inside Out'.
@@sukhbir6246 Inside Out is cool and Zach is a legend. But when it comes to Band Brains worship nothing beats Big Zit. They were a band from the midwest and played around 2014. Check it ua-cam.com/video/G0DY0ElG4-c/v-deo.html
Im 34 and literally JUST discovered this band... only bc I was watching Steve-O's Wild Ride Podcast on YT with his guest comedian FRED ARMISEN. During the Podcast he asks Fred what his top-4 Punk albums all-time are and Fred mentions Bad Brains - I Against I. Steve-O Literally busts outloud saying "I KNEW IT - MINE TOO". They both went on to basically say that Bad Brains might be the best punk band of all-time!
I researched them right after the podcast and was BLOWN AWAY with how good that band is. I personally for YEARS was wondering why there was never a full black HARD ROCK BAND and low and behold at the age of 34 I FOUND THEM!!! Bad Brains is the best full on hardcore punk/ alternative metal/ punk rock band EVER TO EXIST!! So glad I watched that podcast of Steve-Os!
I went on ebay this week and got I Against I on vinyl! Looking at their 82' album too. Bad Brains - Bad Brains.
I gotta say Re-Ignition is on of my early fav songs of theirs.
They didn't invent hardcore... Bad brains, Black Flag and DOA all popped up at the same time.
Saw the Brains many times in the 80s, in NYC, CT, and NJ. I was 14/15 years old during the Rock Hotel shows (live shot used in I Against I) but I did get to experience the Brains at CBGBs, the Ritz, Sundance and the Anthrax. Yet the most memorable show was when HR and Earl were performing as Human Rights at The World with opening band Social Distortion at The World (LES nightclub by Stevens Lewis of The Tunnel / Club USA / Paladium). Hands down the most religious experience of an concert I have ever attended, so hard to explain how important that gig was on the way I grew to view mankind as an adult. I’ll never forget that feeling!
Thank you for putting this out there. Bad Brains do not get the respect or recognition they deserve
Saw them live in Huddersfield, England back in November 1989 and still remains one of the best gigs I have ever seen. Anticipation, Intensity, ferocity, musicianship, showmanship and humbleness... and that was just the first few minutes. Incredible!
Saw them at the Manchester Academy 1 on the same tour, I actually taped it on a walkman. Strangely for a 'conscious' band they had the most varied merchandise I've ever seen at any gig I've been to, there were several different designs of t shirt, stickers, badges, patches, posters & hoodies. However it was all very reasonably priced, from memory the t shirt I bought cost £8, less than you'd usually see at gigs in 1989, I sold it on ebay about 10 years ago for nearly £150.
@@dobr4481 Oh it was Manchester International the very next night. We tried to get tickets but it too like Hudds was sold out. The whole Quickness tour sold out. But like you say back then tickets and merch were reasonably priced. Especially bands in the hardcore scene. They would never rip fans off back then. Saw Fugazi at Leeds Poly that same year in 1989 and it was just £3 per person on the door.... but.... you had to bring some cans of food for the homeless. I was a skint student so I nipped back home and raided my mum's cupboard! Haha! But now, like you say, can sell it all on Ebay for a profit. And why not? I wish I'd saved a lot of the stuff back then.
Im 34 and literally JUST discovered this band... only bc I was watching Steve-O's Wild Ride Podcast on YT with his guest comedian FRED ARMISEN. During the Podcast he asks Fred what his top-5 Punk albums all-time are and Fred mentions Bad Brains - I Against I. Steve-O Literally busts outloud saying "I KNEW IT - MINE TOO". They both went on to basically say that Bad Brains might be the best punk band of all-time!
I researched them right after the podcast and was BLOWN AWAY with how good that band is. I personally for YEARS was wondering why there was never a full black HARD ROCK BAND and low and behold at the age of 34 I FOUND THEM!!! Bad Brains is the best full on hardcore punk/ alternative metal/ punk rock band EVER TO EXIST!! So glad I watched that podcast of Steve-Os!
I went on ebay this week and got I Against I on vinyl! Looking at their 82' album too. Bad Brains - Bad Brains.
I gotta say Re-Ignition, Right Brigade, She's calling you, are some of my early fav songs of theirs.
Man. You guys are OG punks. I'm still kinda proud of seeing some of the now big and famous bands when they were just starting to pop in the 90s. Like Primus in 93. Or Ween back when no one knew who they were. Back when you had to see them in a dingy warehouse looking place with a pit. That same place is still there but now it's all stylized punk rock. With like, stencilled art and faux graffiti. Lol. There's something that's just fundamentally wrong with fake stylized shabbiness. "You smell that? How authentic. They have that genuine urine smell piped in at great expense."
I highly recommand the book Finding Joseph I: An Oral History of H.R. From Bad Brains.
…and the documentary
Awe mane!!!you just made this black dude's day.....u got a sub..so much info and true love and respect for the Mighty Bad brains...u got to be a musician...thanks bre!
right you can definitely just feel his genuine understanding and care for the band and our community overall. Great video ima also sub
If you never saw HR doing a standing back flip mid song on stage...you missed something absolutely incredible....
Saw these guys during their I Against I tour and it was my very first stage dive. What fun.
Outstanding work my friend I spent several days with Joseph (HR) in Hollywood in the mid 80's ... he was a poet and a prophet and did not shy away from rubbing elbows with the common man . He was never far from his bible and was quick to quote passages . He even mentored and helped my recreational band (Violent Tumor ) with some of the nuances of Punk music writing . i feel that the world should make allowance for his current aberrant behavior given his enormous contribution and influence on the music industry as well as society in general.
I saw them play in New York City. In between each song he held up a Bible and said to us “This book will change your life.”
Another great video, Jack! As someone who followed Bad Brains since the 80s, it's fascinating to hear your thoughts in a more recent context. I graduated high school in SoCal in '82 and went to the northeast US for college, so I was able to see the differences between the various hardcore cultures. There was tremendous crossover of musical genres in those days, and kids with various tastes were always contributing to broadening the spectrum. Peter Tosh was very popular, so reggae was not unfamiliar; it just hadn't been presented in the way that Bad Brains did. Your observations on diversity are spot on. Outside of DC, most of the audiences I was a part of looked the same (white male). But when I made it to DC in early '83, I was blown away by the number of black men and women in the crowd. That show was amazing and I was hooked on Bad Brains for the next fifty years! Keep up the good work.
What percentage of that crowd was black Americans. I didn't make it to DC until '87 but my experience with the punk/skate scene at the time was that most of the blacks were Jamaican immigrants.
Bad Brains was formed in 1977. I was there.
Im 34 and literally JUST discovered this band... only bc I was watching Steve-O's Wild Ride Podcast on YT with his guest comedian FRED ARMISEN. During the Podcast he asks Fred what his top-5 Punk albums all-time are and Fred mentions Bad Brains - I Against I. Steve-O Literally busts outloud saying "I KNEW IT - MINE TOO". They both went on to basically say that Bad Brains might be the best punk band of all-time!
I researched them right after the podcast and was BLOWN AWAY with how good that band is. I personally for YEARS was wondering why there was never a full black HARD ROCK BAND and low and behold at the age of 34 I FOUND THEM!!! Bad Brains is the best full on hardcore punk/ alternative metal/ punk rock band EVER TO EXIST!! So glad I watched that podcast of Steve-Os!
I went on ebay this week and got I Against I on vinyl! Looking at their 82' album too. Bad Brains - Bad Brains.
I gotta say Re-Ignition, Right Brigade, She's calling you, are some of my early fav songs of theirs.
H.R throwing a garbage bag onto Discharge at their US-Tour still is one of my fav punk stories
Yes, when HR was offended by Discharge getting way too metal with Grave New World. I have seen footage of that epoch of Discharge and Cal looks like he has been possessed by David Coverdale. 😅
Saw them with Discharge in Oakland '82. Insane. I was never the same.
So glad to see a reaction to Bad Brains. I lived in a DC row-house where we hosted them in our living room back in their banned in DC days. What they lacked in commercial success, they made up for with long-lasting influence. They influenced Nirvana, Black Flag, Beasty Boys, Madonna, The Cars... Dave Grohl (Nirvana, Foo Fighters) has nominated them for the rock hall of fame.
I saw bad brains in the early 2000s in dallas texas. H.R. came out in a bullet proof looking vest, and a pink gas station "TEXAS" hat that still had the tags on. They killed it. And even though they were getting up there in age, HR was still jumping all over the place.
Caught that tour probably the next show after y'all's in San Antonio. He was going crazy. What fun we had that night!!
Their first album,one of the most essential punk albums of all time
Do you mean "Black Dots" or the ROIR record (Banned in DC)? They have basically the same songs, but I like the sound better on Black Dots.
My favorite Bad Brains album is I Against I. Such an incredible album with tons of memorable songs! I got into them through a buddy in high school showing me the song Sailin' On off the Bad Brains album. I became intrigued but then I bought I Against I at a local record store and became a massive fan! I’ve never seen them live. But regardless the Bad Brains music is super important to me. They helped me gain an appreciation for all kinds of music and helped introduce to the PMA mindset
YES
Was a constant spin for me my last few years of high school
Cedar Crest soundtrack.🔥
Im 34 and literally JUST discovered this band... only bc I was watching Steve-O's Wild Ride Podcast on YT with his guest comedian FRED ARMISEN. During the Podcast he asks Fred what his top-5 Punk albums all-time are and Fred mentions Bad Brains - I Against I. Steve-O Literally busts outloud saying "I KNEW IT - MINE TOO". They both went on to basically say that Bad Brains might be the best punk band of all-time!
I researched them right after the podcast and was BLOWN AWAY with how good that band is. I personally for YEARS was wondering why there was never a full black HARD ROCK BAND and low and behold at the age of 34 I FOUND THEM!!! Bad Brains is the best full on hardcore punk/ alternative metal/ punk rock band EVER TO EXIST!! So glad I watched that podcast of Steve-Os!
I went on ebay this week and got I Against I on vinyl! Looking at their 82' album too. Bad Brains - Bad Brains.
I gotta say Re-Ignition, Right Brigade, She's calling you, are some of my early fav songs of theirs.
Same for me at age 47!
First time I got introduced to Bad Brains was when I watched this Noisy documentary series “Under the Influence: New York Hardcore” on UA-cam where John Joseph, the former lead singer of Cro Mags called them the Godfathers of New York Hardcore hands down and spoke very highly of them and how they changed his life and how he approached music in his career.
If ...the band had done that European tour with the Damned in 79 .....the music world would have been changed by them a little earlier .
Great job, Jack! I was in the DC scene on several bands and played the BB on several occasions. Gary taughte some things on guitar that I still use and hold dear to this day. We had special times back then. Keep up the great work!
What impressed me, listening to one of their albums (I believe it was I Against I, but I'm not sure) was the fact that it was short as hell compared to other records I enjoyed. But not only was it short, but they got in everything they needed to say with fast and nearly frantic songs that really felt longer than they actually were. Classic band, and a true favourite of mine!
Love seeing hr's dreads form during this video
Great video. There’s an Argentinian band called Todos Tus Muertos and in one of their albums named Dale Aborigen, they show on an interview included on the cd their admiration to Bad Brains and they stand their music is basically an influence of this legendary band.
One of the most underrated and important Bands of all time ! ♥
I became developed by Bad Brains through first hearing Sublime cover their song "House of Suffering" live.
Was instantly floored and needed more. As a guitarist I then became hypnotized by Dr. Know's exceptional
riffs and shred playing. Great history on Bad Brains man, very well done!!!!!! REally enjoyed this!
Excellent job, great research and great footage. Bad Brains changed my life for ever!
Wow, the algorithm just introduced me to you with this video and I have to say, great job!
I’ve never seen them live and was introduced to them way too late in my hardcore journey. I still get weirded out with how underrated they seem, at least in my circle, for being such amazing musicians and a groundbreaking band.
I've seen Bad Brains many times through the years from NY to Tijuana, MX. The first time I saw them was in February of 1990. It was in Philadelphia at a place called Revival. By far the most hectic show I have seen to this day. They had the crowd so riled up that the walls were condensating in the middle of winter. It was the original lineup except that Mackie was drumming. They were the undisputed masters of stage presence and engaging the crowd. There wasn't a safe space in the house except for the back corners which were piled up with coats anyways. HR was still young enough to be doing backflips on stage and taking swan dives off the speaker stacks without missing a beat on the mic.
I was at that show! Best show ever!
Great in depth break down. I was always looking for this.
This is absolutely excellent coverage of one of the very best bands to ever help create a genre of music that I hold very near and dear to my heart. Bad Brains just spoke to me in a way that no other music had done up to the point in which I found them. This music was instrumental in my mid teens and early twenties, and a friend and I are doing a small side project together that's aiming to very much be an homage to bands like Bad Brains and Minor Threat. Great video, dude! I really did enjoy it, and I'm happy to leave a like and share it.
Early to mid 80s they were one of my favorite bands.
This was an incredible video dude. It resonated deeply. The Bad Brains obviously got to you fully. Bad Brains for life ❤
Very simply, the MOST important, MOST influential hardcore band that ever was.
HR is, quite possibly, the nicest, most genuine, down-to-earth human being who has ever lived.
Not even close
@@ExUSSailor I met HR in London just before the pandemic I'd gone to see his band. And I ended up speaking to him for around 30 minutes. Agree 100%, HR is such a sweet, humble shy person - I could not believe I ended up speaking to him - I will never forget that day for the rest of my life. He killed it on stage and he got so much love when he was here in London.
I love the footage from the outdoor venue. That was the Bandshell in Daytona Beach. My drummer and guitarist were there. I can see them in the crowd when I watch that video.
Great video, Jack. However, not mentioning the MDC/Dicks incident in Texas kinda hides some sad issues with the Brains.
They are so influential and underappreciated
Saw Primus open for BadBrains bit80s in Chicago. Thats how old I am. 😆 Seen the many times def a mind blowing band in every level.
I'll never forget them dropping from the speed into a reggae beat and HR just preaches and all the punks and skins are just standing slack jawed. Minds blown.
Their Spiritual influence cannot be underestimated. Seriously. Soooo many punks found God via Bad Brains..
Bad Brains were the gateway to my own interest in spirituality... a very insightful comment my punk rock brother / sister. 🙏
@@sukhbir6246 I'm not sure what it was like elsewhere but in Chicago it was wild because the NaziSkins would always be there in force but almost never to start fights with us (United Skins, pre SHARP but same scene but Chi style.) During the Brains.. it was baffling. Here are these 8 ft tall alien Black men, seemingly all with extra fingers. Dreds down their ass, playing jazz thrash metal for skinheads.. and the Nazis were there becauss they RESPECTED Bad Brains. It was baffling to me.
They would stop and pay uber attention when HR would rolll back and start preaching the Bible.
It was a memorable sight to behold.
Its hard to express the GRAVITY of the experience. And it was Palpable to everyone.( Not just my Acid fried mind..).
@@brockn7878 Cool . I am in London, have family in Chicago been 4 times - great city btw. Interesting re Nazi reactions to the Bad Brains though! I think most people including neonazis would be shocked at 4 Rastafarians playing Punk.
I was part of the DC punk scene back then. Good times :P
Great Content. Bad Brains Rule !! I've Subscribed. 💖🐕
I got into the Bad Brains when I was 19, their music was very important to me having a father who was Jamaican and blasted reggae all through my toddler years. I really found myself and a lot of their songs , And every year they’re skipped for the rock ‘n’ roll Hall of Fame I am more n more disappointed, hopefully someday
F the rrhof...BB too Great for that bs
One can be underqualified but be wise beyond Years.
The Bad Brains are the Thing!
My friend and I got to hang/smoke with H.R in his van before his solo tour show in Austin in 07’. Totally sweet and kind man, signed his cd for me and played a great show. Seen Bad Brains a few times and have never disappointed. My buddy got me hooked and never looked back!
"A band in dc" or maybe "a banned in dc" is a great documentary about these legends....s/t, rock for light, quickness and I against I, are all fucking great lps...
The first time I saw them was with Joseph singing in Orlando 93, it was a great set. The next one I saw them was with H.R. and they opened with Right Brigade and went right into Rock For Light. The rest of the show was all freestyle reggae. I wish they would of played some more hardcore songs but seeing the original line up was still a memorable experience.
Great video on The Bad Brains. I saw them twice, once in Philly, and the last time in Seattle, opening up for Living Colour. I never saw them with the HR era, but they still kicked ass .
My friend had a Bad Brains album sitting next to Peter Tosh Legalize It so for two years I never picked it up to listen to it because I thought it was reggae. I was pretty shocked when I first heard it.
Appreciate you shining a light on this incredible, fundamental band that broke convention their entire career - from being black kids in a pretty white scene, from being so competent at their instruments along with their attitude, from dropping their equally excellent reggae tracks, to H.R. going right off the rails of a crazy train!
Ps. A place called DC Space was maybe the true center of much of the DC punk scene, along with 9:30
They are one of the best, in any genre. I against I, is one of the best albums ever.
This is such an important document. Thanks so much for going in depth with the recording history.
This is a great video, very informative. Learned a number of facts I didn't know about the Bad Brains until I watched your video. Awesome channel by the way, I suggest a video dedicated to the history of metallic hardcore or what everyone calls metalcore, who the originators were and how the sound developed and evolved. There are bands that people have never even heard of who deserve to be mentioned in a video.
I recorded one of my songs in a shed and you can hear a bird chirping in the background. Bad Brains are a great band with a mental frontman...I can't imagine a more energetic guy!
I really liked this video, your approach is very thorough and researched.
Bad Brain's were an amazing live band that left an impression on my soul.
Keep up with your work and I look forward to seeing more.
Something I would like to see in a future episode...You might want to check out Negative Approach, Laughing Hyenas & Easy Action. From Detroit, all fronted by John Brannon (imo) one of the greatest and unique punk singers ever.
Fire it up!!!
Agree 💯the Bad Brains left such an impression on my soul too.
The Ramones were to the 70s what The Bad Brains were to the 80s. I would rank HR as one of the greatest frontmen in Rock. As a singer he's up there alongside Ian Gillan, Freddie Mercury, Dio. The Bad Brains in their prime was a force of nature and set the blueprint for how modern hard rock music is played. I would go out on a limb and say that if they didn't exist, the 90s renaissance of punk/metal/heavy music wouldn't have happened.
Bad Brains started in '76
@@notdreadyet33 They were called Mind Power then and playing something akin to jazz rock fusion.
I'm a hip hop guy but its a Bad Brains and Fishbone kind of day for me! I just wanted to find out more about these legends.
I got into Bad Brains in my 1st year of high school, '86-'87, through a new friend who was a huge Cro-Mags and BB fan. A couple listens to I Against I was all I needed, and then equally loved the purer hardcore of Rock For Light and the self-titled album. "Coptic Times" is still probably my all-time favorite HC song, purely for the incalculable power it contains musically- I'm not too into mentions of the bible, to be honest.
I had the unbelievable experience to catch them live, all four 'classic' members touring as Soul Brains, after I moved to DC (show was probably '02 or '03, at the 9:30 Club) and they were exhilarating. Which is saying something, as my abiding impression of HR was that he was dressed- and acted- like a homeless/imbalanced person. But the band floored me in every other respect. Perhaps the only comparable live performance I ever caught of old punk was also in DC, when Joe Strummer came through with the Mescaleros and played around 3 Clash songs... possibly the most emotional moment of my life (no, I don't have any kids.)
As with many others at the time, I think it's important to maintain perspective of their social progressivity. Prime example being their apparent homophobic views in the 80s, most obviously documented in "Don't Blow No Bubbles" on Quickness, which both tarred and feathered homosexuality, as well as embraced that nasty trope that it's a 'choice' and praying to a higher power can 'heal' someone thus 'afflicted.' As much as some things change, they still stay the same.
I was lucky enough to catch them as Soul Brains (they went by that for a short time; classic line-up tho) at RCKCNDY in Seattle (RIP to that awesome venue. Anyone been there?) They played all the classic cuts. It was amzing! Must have been in 1997 or so
From those not from DC, Madams Organ was a play on words because it was in the part of the city known as Adams Morgan.
HR is one of the greatest singers of all time.
The GOATS! Their impact is and will be felt for a long,long time!
I was at their first LA show at the Ukrainian Cultural Center on Melrose Avenue (close to LACC), which was awesome. LA scenesters were and are hard to impress, as many a heralded act comes through and does not live up to the hype. They easily surpassed it within a few minutes & set a new standard very few, if any, have ever met.
Thanks for the vid. I was between 18 and 19 and had been into punk for almost 2 years. Had only heard some Swedish punk and hardcore but not much from the US.. I actually had heard of Bad brains but dismissed them because the band name didn't appeal to me.
Things changed when I bought a Nintendo DS and got gifted a flash card with 30~ games on it. One of em' was a tony hawk game. I was playing it and having some good fun with the volume barely audible. Banned in D.C. comes on, barely audible as I said, and I can just make out that there's some intense shit going on with the music. I listen closely and I'm baffled at how great it was.
We did a cover of that exact song a few years later with the band I was in, Latest Fashion (recording still available on bandcamp :)). That's my story with Bad brains.
Ooooh I got a lil bonus. I was interviewed on local radio on "the punk day" which apparently is a thing. They asked what music I'd recommend to someone interested in punk. I just said "bad brains." It just felt like such an obvious answer.
ty again
Tony Hawk's Proving Ground! That was also my introduction to Bad Brains. Also, fucking great cover! I could definitely get down to that if I heard it live
@@lavenderllamamusic You and me buddy!
Big fan of bad brains, but I want to see a history video on the Germs
This was a very well executed doc on Bad Brains. Thanks for sharing.
I do not like punk, but this is the punk band I listen to.
Bad Brains is the GREATEST HARDCORE BAND OF ALL TIME.
i have no shame in saying this- when H.R. leaves this earth, i am losing it.
I listen to them if I was 18 I listen to them self titled and them second album and so on, they where the first band that done reggae and HC punk and metal. Legendary afro American Jamaican 🔥🔥💪🏿
Bad blood between Big Boys and Bad Brains in Texad
I first discovered the bad Brains a few months before they released I against I. The first song I heard was riot. And it blew my fcking mind. Back then you couldn't go into a record bar and buy a copy of rock for light. The way we got music was through taped copies. Some kid in DC or NYC would go to a show and buy a demo and then make copies and pass them around to his friends. Then those kids would make copies and so on. Eventually one of those copies made its way to Durham NC . Then a few months later I actually did find I against I in a school kids records. Then me and some friends rode up to Richmond to see them play , I think it was with agnostic front and the exploited. It was the greatest show I had ever seen. It changed my life. Didn't get to see them again until the 90s and I was really disappointed when HR kept hurling insults at everyone and trying to start fights with every white kid with a shaved head. He really did lose it for awhile.
I did get to see HR after the release of human rights. That was a pretty cool show but nothing like that 1st bad Brains show in Richmond.
You should cover pure hell, another New York black punk band, who never really got their due. They did have a lot of lead guitar work which probably made them stick out a tad too much.
So underrated. Never received the respect they 100% earned.
I've been a BB fan since about 1988 but this video was quite educational for me. I only saw Bad Brains once, around early 2001. Really small show but badass! Saw HR a couple times and spoke with him. He usually has good energy (and really positive lyrics) but he's pretty out there. I wanted to meet the other BB's. I did, however meet Dave and Captain of The Damned
Bad Brains always one of my favorites band. High up on the list. There is a band from Argentina “Todos Tus Muertos” who I believe take a lot if inspiration from Bad Brains mixing Hardcore sound with reggae but also a lot of latin and afrocentric beats. The album Dale Aborigen being the perfect example. Some of the later albums veer more into the reggae sound but still dropping some heavy sounds. They are a band I can’t help but recommend to people when I get a chance to.
Also fore genre bending and experimentation with beats and sounds try Mano Negra where the singer of Todos Tus Muertos was a part of for a while.
I have been waiting for this. ⚡
The amount of variety of this band is so good
Yeah. I saw HR solo a coupla times. It was fun cuz it was a tiny club and we all just hung out.
Bad Brains were WAY more punk than punk.
Goddamn this is great documentary. I’m from VA and had no idea. Awesome!
Yes!finally, someone did it. You did Thanks. Bad Brains rules. I grew up in Tucson and have played in a few bands. I saw them at the Downtown performance center the D.P.C. everyone played there like Shudder to Think. John Spencer Blues Explosion, Crash Worship to name a few I saw. The Deftones opened for Bad Brains when they were here. It was just bad ass. I also saw them in S.F. a few years later. Thanks again man. Keep it up.
legends!!!! one of my top 5 punk bands. i bought Banned in DC while out grabbing a minor threat and bad religion albums and had no idea who bad brains were at the time as i was new to hardcore punk. bad brains sealed the deal for a life long love for the genre and that band. dave grohl of nirvana has stated he was copying the bad brains drum style on the track smells like teen spirit and you can totally hear the influence. so they also influenced one of the biggest musical groups in history among so many others.
I chuckle at people who say Nirvana was "groundbreaking."
@@1981menso they definitely werent groundbreaking but they certainly were a great example of what an accumulation of good musical influences can accomplish. nirvana werent shy about giving praise to those that helped shape their sound
they also influenced one of my favourite musicians of all time in Randy Blythe. He is heavily influenced by them and especially H.R
@ 22:15 Charge was HR's best album (1990)
I saw them play live at The Ritz in 1987 with Flipper and Gang Green. Basically everyone in the NYHC scene was there along with a few celebrities and record industry types. It was a phenomenal show. Great video!
So I've seen bad brains three times, not at the 9:30 club because it reach capacity. Kids were everywhere on F street. Nope, I saw them much later. Twice in Orlando with HR on vocals and Israel Joseph in Melbourne.i have a sign sweat shirt that is too small for me. Still have as a result very thankfully.
The DC seen was very important to me because it was available to the kids. Dischcord made it affordable. I would see "Government Issue" everytime they played.
Anyway thanks for the history lesson.
One more thing. Madonna had something to do with getting them to Maverick as well..
you never fail to deliver m8, great work!
This was super cool and interesting!!!!
I saw Soulcraft on MTV and bought the tape. They were cool
One of my absolute favorite bands since 1982 . Excellent content and presentation keep up with the fantastic work my dude
HR let tons of people into the DC shows for free, it was another factor in getting "banned in DC." Club owners saw that as a money loss.
This is a very well researched and excellent essay about one of the most important bands of all time
Fucking love the brains. Favorite band
Thank you so so much this really helps with a school project
What’s your project?
Subscibed... You bought me with the line " incredibly unqualified..." :)
You should do one on Agent Orange
Great concept and episode. Well done
I think there was a time I listened to more solo HR than thr Brains back in the early 90s. Charge, It's About Love, Viva Azania etc were classics I loved just as much as the Bad Brains official catalog. Check em out!!!
‘Charge’ is one of my all time favorite albums
When I first heard of Bad Brains, it changed my life. I saw musicians who looked like me, playing reggae and punk music that I loved, in a music scene dominated by white males. They made me feel welcome.