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When last we left the Bad Brains, there was dissension in the ranks. Following a support tour for 1995's God of Love, during which vocalist HR punched out the band's manager, these progenitors of punk/reggae fusion parted ways for the umpteenth time in their nearly twenty-year career.
Now, under the moniker Soul Brains, the original lineup -- HR (born
Paul Hudson), his brother Earl Hudson (drums), guitarist Dr. Know
(born GaryWayne Miller), and Darryl Jenifer (bass) -- have reunited
for a twelve-city tour, resurrecting their timeless assault. A
dreadlocked HR took the stage toa mixed crowd of old-timers and
hardcore newbies, with his luggage inhand and a scarf wrapped
around his face like a sheik. The Brains, always known for their
eruptive live shows, proceeded to sear through a half-dozen or so
of their cranial-shearing classics and an equal number of
soul-starched reggae.
HR sang through his scarf for the first couple of tracks -- the
blistering "Attitude" (from 1983's Rock for Light), and
"Sailin' On" (from 1982's self titled release) -- before unraveling
the barrier from his face to expose his devilish grin. Though HR
didn't reel across the stage with the agility and hyperactivity of
days gone by, the band still delivered the intensity and
musicianship that set them apart from the rest of their hardcore
cohorts back in the Eighties. The foursome also proved why so many
of today's rock luminaries, such as the Beastie Boys, cite them as
a major influence.
The pacing of the show was the newly reunited group's only flaw. In
their prime, the Brains would seamlessly switch from the most
hepped-up hardcore mania to an equally powerful heavy dub groove,
revving the crowd up to a frenzy with songs like "Pay to Cum," and
then soothing the wired beasts with soulful tracks like "Leaving
Babylon."
But during this set, "Pay to Cum" was lumped at the beginning with
equally frantic tracks like "At the Movies" and "House of
Suffering." Then the band began to settle in with the mid-paced
"Reignition," "Sacred Love," and "Soul Craft," all spotlighting Dr.
Know's axework. The crew then nestled deeper into a long reggae set
with forgettable runs through "How I Love Thee" and "Tongue Tee
Ti," both from God of Love. Older tracks, like the
spaced-out cover of "Day Tripper," made more impact. HR's vocal
prowess reached its apex on "The Youth Are Getting Restless," a
track that melds the band's dub dexterity with a tension-raising,
rallying chant.
The Brains came back for one encore, the rousing "I Against I," and
thenHR picked up the duffle bags he had dragged onstage and exited
withoutfurther adieu. Though fans stomped for more, that was it.
And considering how many times this band has disbanded in the past,
that could be it for the original lineup for a long while, if not
for good.
MARLENE GOLDMAN
(November 30, 1998)