Retro Raunch Revisit

Today marks the 40th anniversary of the greatest hardcore debut of all time. Creative, unpredictable and exciting, these grounbreaking pioneers were originally a jazz band(!) With their explosive playing and equally dynamic frontman in HR whose incredible acrobatic stamina on display was always highly energetic & entertaining, the BAD BRAINS pushed punk's limits by bridging reggae fusion and incorporating spirituality alongside their ferocity. Known as the 'yellow tape', this classic s/t release's raw & raging pure fury was so far out infront and deeply revered as essential canon that it inspired a generation of peers. As an all-black band that broke the color barrier (see also DEATH and PURE HELL before them) their further importance lay directly in their talent as their amazing ability helped every bit as much to set a tone that defined the style/genre, as it did to garner them towering praise from fellow luminaries. While their visibility and racial crossover undeniably changed the landscape, their role as ambassadors (however indifferent or dismissed by them) impressed & proved that punk/hardcore was not just confined to whites alone, and that both other ethnic musicians & fans alike could get on board. Decades on, the BAD BRAINS remain so impactful that numerous punk & metal contemporaries STILL trace -- and take -- their influence & inspiration from them.