Bad Brains (album)
Encyclopedia
Bad Brains is the first full-length studio album recorded by Bad Brains
. Adam Yauch
of Beastie Boys
has been quoted as saying that this album is "the best punk/hardcore album of all time". It was originally released on cassette only but has since been re-released by ROIR
on both CD and vinyl.
When the album was released in 1982, fans and critics alike were stunned to learn that the musicians behind this album - one of the fastest albums of all time upon its release - were religious African-American Rastafarians who also were skilled at reggae
. The album was a crucial step in the formation of hardcore punk
and the eventual fusion of hard rock
and reggae
adopted later by bands like Sublime
, Fishbone
, and 311
.
Many of the album's tracks were re-recorded for their 1983 follow-up, Rock for Light
. In-Effect Records released a CD version with the same track listing entitled Attitude: The ROIR Sessions in 1991.
. Art work on cover by Mir* aka David Lee Parsons aka Dave Ratcage, with photography by Laura Levine. Concept by Neil Cooper
. All material was recorded at 171-A Studios, N.Y.C, during August, September, and October 1981, except "Pay To Cum", "I Luv I Jah" and "Jah Calling Dub" recorded live at 171-A on May 16, 1981.
In 2008, the track "Right Brigade" was featured on the hardcore radio station in the computer game Grand Theft Auto 4 and was included on its soundtrack
.
Bad Brains
Bad Brains is an American hardcore punk band formed in Washington, D.C., in 1977. They are widely regarded as among the pioneers of hardcore punk, though the band's members objected to this term to describe their music. They are also an adept reggae band, while later recordings featured elements of...
. Adam Yauch
Adam Yauch
Adam Nathaniel Yauch , , is a founding member of hip hop trio the Beastie Boys. He is frequently known by his stage name, MCA, and other pseudonyms such as Nathanial Hörnblowér.-Early life:...
of Beastie Boys
Beastie Boys
Beastie Boys are an American hip hop trio from New York City. The group consists of Mike D who plays the drums, MCA who plays the bass, and Ad-Rock who plays the guitar....
has been quoted as saying that this album is "the best punk/hardcore album of all time". It was originally released on cassette only but has since been re-released by ROIR
ROIR
ROIR , or Reach Out International Records, is a New York City-based record label founded in 1979 by Neil Cooper.ROIR was founded the same year that the Sony Walkman launched, and initially, the label exclusively distributed its releases in cassette format...
on both CD and vinyl.
When the album was released in 1982, fans and critics alike were stunned to learn that the musicians behind this album - one of the fastest albums of all time upon its release - were religious African-American Rastafarians who also were skilled at reggae
Reggae
Reggae is a music genre first developed in Jamaica in the late 1960s. While sometimes used in a broader sense to refer to most types of Jamaican music, the term reggae more properly denotes a particular music style that originated following on the development of ska and rocksteady.Reggae is based...
. The album was a crucial step in the formation of hardcore punk
Hardcore punk
Hardcore punk is an underground music genre that originated in the late 1970s, following the mainstream success of punk rock. Hardcore is generally faster, thicker, and heavier than earlier punk rock. The origin of the term "hardcore punk" is uncertain. The Vancouver-based band D.O.A...
and the eventual fusion of hard rock
Hard rock
Hard rock is a loosely defined genre of rock music which has its earliest roots in mid-1960s garage rock, blues rock and psychedelic rock...
and reggae
Reggae
Reggae is a music genre first developed in Jamaica in the late 1960s. While sometimes used in a broader sense to refer to most types of Jamaican music, the term reggae more properly denotes a particular music style that originated following on the development of ska and rocksteady.Reggae is based...
adopted later by bands like Sublime
Sublime (band)
Sublime was an American ska punk band from Long Beach, California, formed in 1988. The band's line-up, unchanged until their breakup, consisted of Bradley Nowell , Eric Wilson and Bud Gaugh . Michael "Miguel" Happoldt also contributed on a few Sublime songs, such as "New Thrash." Lou Dog, Nowell's...
, Fishbone
Fishbone
Fishbone is a U.S. alternative rock band formed in 1979 in Los Angeles, California, which plays a fusion of ska, punk rock, funk, hard rock and soul. Critics have noted of the band: "Fishbone was one of the most distinctive and eclectic alternative rock bands of the late '80s...
, and 311
311 (band)
311 is an American rock band from Omaha, Nebraska. The band was formed in 1988 by vocalist/rhythm guitarist Nick Hexum, lead guitarist Jim Watson , bassist Aaron "P-Nut" Wills and drummer Chad Sexton...
.
Many of the album's tracks were re-recorded for their 1983 follow-up, Rock for Light
Rock For Light
Rock for Light is the second official full-length album by hardcore punk pioneers Bad Brains. It was produced by Ric Ocasek of The Cars. The 1991 re-issue was remixed by Ocasek and bass player Darryl Jenifer...
. In-Effect Records released a CD version with the same track listing entitled Attitude: The ROIR Sessions in 1991.
Track listing
- "Sailin' On" – 1:55
- "Don't Need It" – 1:07
- "Attitude" – 1:19
- "The Regulator" – 1:07
- "Banned in D.C." – 2:12
- "Jah Calling" – 2:31
- "Supertouch/Shitfit" – 2:30
- "Leaving Babylon" – 4:10
- "Fearless Vampire Killers" – 1:07
- "I" – 2:05
- "Big Take Over" – 2:57
- "Pay to Cum" – 1:25
- "Right Brigade" – 2:27
- "I Luv I Jah" – 6:24
- "Intro" – 0:45
Credits
- H.R.H.R.H.R. is the stage name of Paul D. Hudson, the lead singer of the hardcore punk band Bad Brains. His vocals can be quite diverse, ranging from a rapid-fire nasal whine, to feral growling and screeches, to smooth near-crooning or staccato reggae rhymes...
- vocals - Dr. KnowDr. Know (guitarist)Dr. Know is the stage name of Gary Miller, guitarist for Bad Brains, regarded as one of punk rock's most innovative and important bands...
- guitar, backing vocals - Darryl Jenifer - bass guitar, backing vocals
- Earl HudsonEarl HudsonEarl Hudson is the drummer for Bad Brains, regarded as one of punk rock's most influential and innovative bands. He is the younger brother of the band's lead singer H.R.. Although he has rarely recorded or performed outside of the band, he and fellow bandmates, guitarist Dr...
- drumsguitar, backing vocals
Other credits
Recorded by Jay Dublee and mixed by Jay Dublee with the assistance of Bad BrainsBad Brains
Bad Brains is an American hardcore punk band formed in Washington, D.C., in 1977. They are widely regarded as among the pioneers of hardcore punk, though the band's members objected to this term to describe their music. They are also an adept reggae band, while later recordings featured elements of...
. Art work on cover by Mir* aka David Lee Parsons aka Dave Ratcage, with photography by Laura Levine. Concept by Neil Cooper
Neil Cooper (ROIR)
Neil Cooper was the founder and head of independent US cassette and record label ROIR.-Life and work:Born in Philadelphia, Cooper attended Amherst College and graduated from Columbia Business School in 1954. Working as a booking agent for MCA Inc...
. All material was recorded at 171-A Studios, N.Y.C, during August, September, and October 1981, except "Pay To Cum", "I Luv I Jah" and "Jah Calling Dub" recorded live at 171-A on May 16, 1981.
In 2008, the track "Right Brigade" was featured on the hardcore radio station in the computer game Grand Theft Auto 4 and was included on its soundtrack
Grand Theft Auto IV soundtrack
The soundtrack to the game Grand Theft Auto IV, like the previous games in the series, is mostly made up of in-game radio stations. These radio stations can be listened to when driving various vehicles in the game, or at the start menu...
.
Covers
- "Leaving Babylon" was covered by Jesse MalinJesse MalinJesse Malin is a rock musician. He has played with Heart Attack and D Generation. He is currently a solo recording artist.-Biography:...
on his covers album, On Your SleeveOn Your SleeveOn Your Sleeve is Jesse Malin's fourth studio album. It consists entirely of covers of other artists' songs. The album was first released in the UK on April 7, 2008...
. 311311 (band)311 is an American rock band from Omaha, Nebraska. The band was formed in 1988 by vocalist/rhythm guitarist Nick Hexum, lead guitarist Jim Watson , bassist Aaron "P-Nut" Wills and drummer Chad Sexton...
covered the song for their 1999 album SoundsystemSoundsystemSoundsystem is the fifth studio album by 311, released on October 12, 1999. Soundsystem, which was certified Gold by the RIAA, was the last 311 album on Capricorn Records before the band switched to Volcano Records in 2000...
. The track has also been covered by Living ColourLiving ColourLiving Colour is an American rock band from New York City, formed in 1984. Stylistically, the band's music is a creative fusion influenced by free jazz, funk, neo-psychedelia, hard rock, and heavy metal...
and HIM.
- SublimeSublime (band)Sublime was an American ska punk band from Long Beach, California, formed in 1988. The band's line-up, unchanged until their breakup, consisted of Bradley Nowell , Eric Wilson and Bud Gaugh . Michael "Miguel" Happoldt also contributed on a few Sublime songs, such as "New Thrash." Lou Dog, Nowell's...
often performed Bad Brains tunes during live shows. The deluxe edition of their SublimeSublime (album)Sublime is the third and final album released by ska-punk band Sublime. Originally intended to be titled Killin' It, the band and record label agreed to substitute an eponymous title due to lead singer Bradley Nowell's death prior to the album's release...
album contains "I Luv I Jah" as "I Love My Dog" with different lyrics. The DVD of their Everything Under the SunEverything Under the SunEverything Under the Sun is a box set of rarities from the band Sublime. It is composed in large part of tracks that can be found on previously released bootleg albums. See: List of Sublime bootlegs.-Track listing:Disc 1# Roots of Creation...
also contained a live version of "Leaving Babylon."
- John FruscianteJohn FruscianteJohn Anthony Frusciante is an American guitarist, singer, songwriter, record and film producer. He is best known as the former lead guitarist of the rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers, with whom he had been for a number of years and recorded five studio albums...
of Red Hot Chili PeppersRed Hot Chili PeppersRed Hot Chili Peppers is an American rock band, formed in Los Angeles in 1983. The group's musical style primarily consists of rock with an emphasis on funk, as well as elements from other genres such as punk, hip hop and psychedelic rock...
covered "Big Takeover" on his first solo album, Niandra Lades and Usually Just a T-ShirtNiandra Lades and Usually Just a T-ShirtNiandra Lades and Usually Just a T-Shirt is the debut solo album by John Frusciante, released on March 8, 1994, on American Recordings. Frusciante released the album after encouragement from several friends, who told him that there was "no good music around anymore."Niandra Lades and Usually Just a...
. He also covered a short acoustic rendition of "Sailin On'" during a 1989 interview.
- "Sailin' On" was covered by No DoubtNo DoubtNo Doubt is an American rock band from Anaheim, California that formed in 1986. The ska-pop sound of their first album No Doubt , failed to make an impact...
for the MOM: Music for Our Mother Ocean album series. MobyMobyRichard Melville Hall , better known by his stage name Moby, is an American musician, DJ, and photographer. He is known mainly for his sample-based electronic music and his outspoken liberal political views, including his support of veganism and animal rights.Moby gained attention in the early...
covered the song for the Never Give In: A Tribute to Bad Brains (1999, Century Media) tribute albumTribute albumA tribute album is a recorded collection of cover versions of songs or instrumental compositions. Its concept may be either various artists making a tribute to a single artist, a single artist making a tribute to various artists, or a single artist making a tribute to another single artist.There...
to the band. SoulflySoulflySoulfly is a heavy metal band formed in 1997 based in Phoenix, Arizona. The original lyrical content revolved around spirituality and religious themes, with later albums encompassing other themes including war, violence, aggression, hatred and anger. Soulfly is led by former Sepultura frontman Max...
covered the song for the special edition of their album ConquerConquer (album)-Bonus DVD listing:Live in Warsaw, Poland#"Prophecy"#"Downstroy"#"Seek 'n' Strike"#"No Hope = No Fear"#"Jumpdafuckup / Bring It"#"Living Sacrifice"#"Mars"#"Brasil"#"No"#"L.O.T.M."#"Porrada"#"Drums"#"Moses"#"Frontlines"#"Back to the Primitive"...
. HIM recorded a live version of "Sailin' On" for the record Uneasy Listening Vol. 2. Hardcore punk band Sailing On is also named for the song.
- "I Luv I Jah" was covered live by Long Beach Dub AllstarsLong Beach Dub AllstarsThe Long Beach Dub Allstars were a dub reggae/ska/rock band formed in 1997 and disbanded in 2002.-History:Eric Wilson and Bud Gaugh met in childhood and later started their first garage punk band, consisting of drums, bass and vocals. They later formed Sublime with Brad Nowell...
in Hollywood featuring H.R. on vocals for their rare 1998 first album, LBDA & Friends.
- "Supertouch/Shitfit" was covered by HatebreedHatebreed- History :Hatebreed was formed in 1994 in Bridgeport, Waterbury and New Haven. They began by recording a three song demo and selling it to locals. Those three songs would eventually be released on a split seven inch with New York's Neglect in 1995...
on their covers album, For the LionsFor the LionsFor the Lions is a cover album by American metalcore band Hatebreed. The album was released on May 5, 2009 through Koch Records. The album consists of 18 cover songs from bands that had an influence on Hatebreed's music...
.