COCKTAIL HOUR PRESENTS-CLASSIC ROCK SHOWCASE-BAD BRAINS

Bad Brains are an American hardcore punk band formed in Washington, D.C. in 1977. They are widely regarded as being among the pioneers of the genre, though the band's members objected to the term "hardcore" to describe their music. Minor Threat, who also were formed in Washington, D.C., were influenced by this type of hardcore punk and adopted it as their primary style. Originally formed as a jazz fusion ensemble under the name Mind Power, Bad Brains developed a very fast and intense punk rock sound, which was both musically complex, and was often played faster and more emphatically than the music of many of their peers. They were also an adept reggae band, in a sort of Jekyll-and-Hyde arrangement, while later recordings featured elements of other genres. Bad Brains are also notable as religious followers of the Rastafari movement. Bad Brains broke up and reformed several times over the years, sometimes with different singers and/or drummers. The band's classic and current lineup is singer H.R., guitarist Dr. Know, bassist Darryl Jenifer, and drummer Earl Hudson, H.R.'s younger brother. Bad Brains were ranked #99 on VH1's 100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock. Though the official name of the band is Bad Brains, they are often referred to as The Bad Brains, sometimes even by the band members themselves. Beastie Boys were huge Bad Brains fans, and they intentionally selected a name with the initials B.B. because of this.