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Bad Brains
123,541 listeners (3,017,954 plays)
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hardcore, punk, hardcore punk, reggae, punk rock… see all
Washington DC, United States (1977 – 1984)
Bad Brains are a rastafarian American hardcore punk band, originally formed in Washington DC in 1977, though the band’s members objected to the term “hardcore” to describe their music. They are considered pioneers of hardcore punk, and their self-titled debut is considered by many to be the finest hardcore punk album ever. But their sound goes further than that, often into full-on dub and reggae. Originally formed as a jazz fusion ensemble, Bad Brains developed a very fast and intense punk rock sound, which was both musically complex and more extreme than most of their punk contemporaries. They were also an adept reggae band, in a sort of Jekyll-and-Hyde arrangement, while later recordings also featured elements of funk and heavy metal. Bad Brains were also notable as religious Rastafarians.
Bad Brains have broken up and reformed several times over the years (most recently as the Soul Brains), sometimes with different singers and/or drummers. Their existence has been in three periods: 1977–1984, 1986–1995, and 1997–present. The group’s classic line-up was singer H.R., guitarist Dr. Know, bass guitarist Darryl Jennifer, and drummer Earl Hudson.
Whether or not any members of the Bad Brains had homophobic views prior to their conversion is hard to say, but becoming Rastafarian certainly did not improve their attitudes towards homosexuality.
Bad Brains have broken up and reformed several times over the years (most recently as the Soul Brains), sometimes with different singers and/or drummers. Their existence has been in three periods: 1977–1984, 1986–1995, and 1997–present. The group’s classic line-up was singer H.R., guitarist Dr. Know, bass guitarist Darryl Jennifer, and drummer Earl Hudson.
Whether or not any members of the Bad Brains had homophobic views prior to their conversion is hard to say, but becoming Rastafarian certainly did not improve their attitudes towards homosexuality.
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Leslian wrote:
to continue talking about a band other than Bad Brains on the Bad Brains page, James_Murton is totally right (as long as you believe Wikipedia, and i totally do).
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Leslian wrote:
weirdest band ever. okay, maybe not ever. but they are really weird.
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Forever_Gold wrote:
#14
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cramped_ wrote:
Wtf, where's Big takeover!?:o
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n0seCandy wrote:
xtakedownedx, I was talking about VileEffigy, :).
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johniscoool wrote:
You're right, James_Murton. It's just that fucktards like Conatz just can't grasp simple concepts in music such as irony.
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xtakedownedx wrote:
why am i a jackass?cause i don't like homophobic music?you;re the jackass..first you're going all anti racist and then you jump on people cause they don't like homophobic reggae
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James_Murton wrote:
With regards to White Minority... I was under the impression it was making fun of racists because of the fact that they attacked minorities and yet were themselves a sort of minority due to being into white power and that? I could be wrong, but that's how I always saw it. Especially with, as somoene pointed out below, the singer on that song being Hispanic, as well as the drummer on it, and the producer being black. But considering this is the Bad Brains page, it'd make more sense to say how fantastic Bad Brains were/are.
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n0seCandy wrote:
"this is what happens when black people touch a guitar" .....wtf? if that's supposed to be racist (I'm pretty sure it is), then you're an idiot along with the other jackass down there.
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xtakedownedx wrote:
that's why only the first album is worth it
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Forever_Gold wrote:
nah dude, they hate fags.
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[deleted-user]
wrote:
"Telling someone to just listen to music without thinking of the politics is absurd" How is it absurd? Music is the art of sound, not the art of politics. If anything, anyone focusing on something as inane as lyrical content or the opinions of the one(s) behind the music is completely missing the point of this art form. And regarding the homophobia incident, the band as a whole admitted at the time they were over-zealotous as many young people are on subjects they feel strongly about, and have matured much since then. So please, can we drop it?
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nicoinfurs wrote:
this is what happens when black people touch a guitar!
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wasteallocation wrote:
i ammm saaaaailllllinnnnnn onnnnnn!
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Conatz wrote:
Black Flag-White Minority. I don't care what Ian said, I still view that as a racist song.
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Dagay wrote:
Ian cleared it up. It's not about anything racist. He's just stating that he grew up, and gone to school at a place that was 75% black people. It wasn't anything involving racism. And as for Black Flag I highly doubt any of their songs are racist. I don't listen to Black Flag too much. But Forever_Gold, I also think that guy down there is an idiot.
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Forever_Gold wrote:
bass player reppin' a bb shirt.
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Forever_Gold wrote:
oh the irony......http://ryanblank.com/ryanblankphoto/limpwrist07072008/index.htm#12.........that's limp wrist.
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Forever_Gold wrote:
watch american hardcore. ian clarified that up. i assume you are referring to white minority. i doubt that was meant to be rascist by any means. spot's black, chavo is hispanic, robo is colombian. first wave punk bands used that as a nihilistic play. the same way sex pistols promoted "anarchy"
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Conatz wrote:
OR the fact that numerous first wave punk bands brandished swastikas
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