Bad Brains



This black American hardcore punk and dub reggae outfit originated in 1978, when the band were all playing together in an early fusion outfit. They moved from Washington, DC, to New York where they established a reputation as prime exponents, alongside the Dead Kennedys and Black Flag, of the new "hardcore" hybrid of punk, based on a barely credible speed of musicianship. The line-up consisted of HR (b. Paul Hudson; vocals) and brother Earl Hudson (drums), Dr. Know (guitar) and Darryl Aaron Jenifer (bass). They broke up their sets with dub and reggae outings and attracted a mixed audience, which was certainly one of their objectives: "We're a gospel group, preaching the word of unity." It is frustrating that so little studio material remains to document this early period, though the singles "Pay To Cum" and "Big Takeover" are regarded as punk classics, and later bands such as Living Colour sung their praises as one of the forerunners of articulate black rock music.
Bad Brains were due to support the Damned in the UK in October 1979, having sold most of their equipment to buy aeroplane tickets. On arrival, however, they were denied work permits. You'd be a bit pissed off, but they finally got their paperwork in order and joined the Subs on a May/June 1983 UK tour. Split up every other year since, and then got back together again trying to reinvent themselves, but to be honest, never living up to what they were. They were signed in 1995 to Maverick Records (Madonna's label), but that didn't last long.
Not sure if they are still going now, I saw them way back in the 90's and they had crossed the line into shitty metal. www.badbrains.com - is a very ... (un) informative site.