‘Bad Brains’: The Gemini of Classic Punk

Bad Brains: The Gemini of Classic Punk

Emily Shelton

Photo: Glen E Friedman

It‰’s about time we talked about Bad Brains here. After all, they are one of the biggest influences on the rock and punk scene even still today, and they come from our very own D.C. I can‰’t help but say, their 1982 self-titled album has been one of my favorite albums for years. The seamless moodiness and angst of the album was always cathartic to listen to, always a boost to start, fading into a mix of reggae jams and punk cuts.

For those who haven‰’t had the pleasure of listening to this album, here‰’s a quick synopsis of a complex and honestly beautiful 34 minute trip: The album begins with five hard-hitting thrash punk songs, ending with “Banned in D.C.‰Û, an iconic track (and my personal pump-up jam). Then, abruptly, the sounds melt into a mellow reggae jam. Then, “Supertouch/Shitfit‰” kicks in a new gear of hardcore, almost metal style. The album returns to reggae, and the albums continues the mixture of thrash, hardcore, and reggae.

Bad Brains is the gemini of albums, with two definite faces to recon with. The punk and hardcore face is as tough as the other punk bands. In 1982, the self-titled album was released. Bad Brains follows the punk tradition of spiteful lyrics and repetitive power chords, reminiscent of the other big punk band in D.C. at the time, Minor Threat. However, the reggae tracks on the album are blissful. Like little oases amongst the rough and tumble punk songs, tracks like “Jah Calling‰” and “Leaving Babylon‰” sometimes even give me the chills after jamming out. And finishing the album with “I Luv I Jah‰” seems like the ‘om’ at the end of a meditation session. With the entire track devoted to the band‰’s rastafarian faith. The song craftily intertwines traditional reggae with wavering guitar chords and H.R.‰’s voice gently floating. The lyrics are mostly a message of love rather than the thrashing dischord of some of the earlier tracks.

The album is cathartic for several reasons. The switches in genre all elicit a different emotion. Overall, the songs are great for headbanging and dancing, and are guaranteed to wake you up from whatever sad, sleepy daze might come over you. And the reggae tracks are perfect to sink into. They are much needed moment of spirituality in a hardcore setting.

Bad Brains set a precedent for the punk scene in general, but especially the D.C. punk scene, that pushed hardcore to be more explorative and refined. The self-titled album will probably always be my personal favorite album by them, and I know that I‰’ll come back to Bad Brains anytime I need jolt of life or a cathartic rush.


Listen to the full album here: