Bad Brains were one of the most innovative and influential bands to emerge from the Washington, DC, hardcore scene, distinguished in part by being one of the era’s few Black punk bands. Guitarists Dr. Know and Paul “H.R.” Hudson, bassist Darryl Jenifer and drummer Earl Hudson started out in 1976 as jazz-rockers Mind Power. The next year, through the influence of Sid McCray, who temporarily became their singer, they transformed into a punk band—albeit one whose jazz chops made them the fastest, craziest punks in town. After becoming such a hot name in DC that they were banned by local clubs for fan violence, they moved to New York in 1980 and became underground heroes there. Their furious 1980 debut single, “Pay to Cum”, became a hardcore milestone, inspiring Minor Threat, Beastie Boys and others. But over the course of their self-titled 1982 album, 1983’s Ric Ocasek-produced Rock for Light and 1986’s I Against I, Bad Brains added reggae and metal elements to the mix, paving the way for genre-fluid alt-rockers like Jane’s Addiction and Red Hot Chili Peppers. Lineup changes and some fallow periods followed, but Bad Brains raged on well into the 21st century.