Bad Brains

Bad Brains

Hey thrashers, I’m dragging one out of the vault by the dreadlocks today. If you like the rampant sounds of Fucked Up, you better know what fuelled the fire for that shit. In 1982, four Jamaican-Americans from Georgetown, Washington DC (arguably American hardcore music’s birth place) decided to make the jagged move from jazz-fusion to a bizarre blend of reggae and hardcore. Due to this odd shift, they created an album that will not only make you want to jump around but also kick the shit out of your dad. Bad Brains’ self-titled album established them as one of the pioneers of the American hardcore movement. Prophets of the scene Henry Rollins (Black Flag) and Ian Mackaye (Minor Threat) have agreed to this.
The album starts with the 100 miles an hour “Sailin’ On” and takes you through the many talents that this group of Rastafarians possess. It showcases guitarist Dr. Know’s gnarly guitar skills as well as lead singer H.R.’s raging wails. One of the key attributes of this album is its consistent shift from textbook and iconic hardcore to the reggae roots that the band could never turn its back on. Songs such as “Jah Calling and “I luv I jah” are a perfect example of this. However if one wants to experience the ultimate Bad Brains sound which made them as well as fundamental hardcore music in general, “Big Take Over” is a necessity as well as the classic “Banned in D.C.”. This is a golden album from a golden era that is best enjoyed in the atmosphere of a raging, fucked up house party. -Ian