How Bad Brains pushed punk to breakneck speeds on their 1980 debut single
Bad Brains’ earliest recordings, made in Washington, DC, in 1979, are set for their first official release after years of circulating through tape trading. Remixed by longtime friend Ian MacKaye, the six-song collection highlights the band’s extraordinary intensity and influence on punk, including an early version of their 1980 debut single, “Pay to Cum”.
Originally a jazz-fusion group called Mind Power, the four Black musicians turned towards punk and sought to push its speed and aggression beyond contemporary bands such as the Ramones. MacKaye later described Bad Brains as “the greatest band in the world”, reflecting their lasting impact despite the group ultimately missing out on Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction.
- Bad Brains’ first recordings will receive an official release.
- The 1979 sessions capture their pioneering Washington hardcore sound.
- Their jazz-fusion background helped drive punk towards greater speed and intensity.