Bad Brains: Build a Nation
Copy at Case Memorial Library
Craig Gilbert wrote in Play: "Formed in the late '70s after a stint as a jazz fusion band, these four dudes from our nation's capital stood out amongst the screaming and bloody newborn punk bands of the time. For one, these guys were black. Second, they mixed the anger and ferocity of a faster-th[a]n-punk-was style with the 'all's good / we shall be alright' of thick and dubbed-up reggae. … And third, they … killed when they played live. … That intensity reportedly spilled out onto others with charges of physical and verbal abuse against frontman H.R. This factor, plus a desire by some band members to dismiss the hardcore element and pursue an all-reggae sound, led to the band's break-up in 1984. … A series of fill-in singers and drummers over time with slight musical style changes and H.R.'s unpredictable on- and off stage behavior brought in new fans as well as keeping older Brains followers relatively content and always guessing. From their classic first release … to last year's not-too-shabby Build A Nation record (produced by Beastie Boy Adam Yauch), Bad Brains have done it" ("Listen: Worth the Trip," 10/29/08, p. 15).
Craig Gilbert wrote in Play: "Formed in the late '70s after a stint as a jazz fusion band, these four dudes from our nation's capital stood out amongst the screaming and bloody newborn punk bands of the time. For one, these guys were black. Second, they mixed the anger and ferocity of a faster-th[a]n-punk-was style with the 'all's good / we shall be alright' of thick and dubbed-up reggae. … And third, they … killed when they played live. … That intensity reportedly spilled out onto others with charges of physical and verbal abuse against frontman H.R. This factor, plus a desire by some band members to dismiss the hardcore element and pursue an all-reggae sound, led to the band's break-up in 1984. … A series of fill-in singers and drummers over time with slight musical style changes and H.R.'s unpredictable on- and off stage behavior brought in new fans as well as keeping older Brains followers relatively content and always guessing. From their classic first release … to last year's not-too-shabby Build A Nation record (produced by Beastie Boy Adam Yauch), Bad Brains have done it" ("Listen: Worth the Trip," 10/29/08, p. 15).
posted by casemusic at 12:09 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home