PRE-ORDER FROM BAD BRAINS RECORDS
Legendary punk band Bad Brains will embark on a special "re-everything" of their seminal catalogue, having formed a new label to be distributed by Org Music.
Founded in Washington, D.C. in 1977, the band initially known as Mind Power transitioned from jazz fusion to a fast-paced, rhythmic form of rock (known today as hardcore) along with elements of reggae and funk. Vocalist Paul "H.R." Hudson, his brother Earl on drums, guitarist Gary "Dr. Know" Miller and bassist Daryl Jenifer comprised the best-known lineup, together intermittently between 1977 and the present. (Another original vocalist, Sid McCray, was part of the group for its first year; he died this past September.)
The aptly-named Bad Brains Records plans at least eight releases between February 2021 and the spring of 2022. All titles will be released on black and colored vinyl, with CD and cassette releases also planned for "many" of the titles. All are remastered by Dave Gardner of Infrasonic Mastering, sourced from the best possible sources - included many original tapes long considered lost.
This new deal reflects the band's hard-fought acquisition of their own catalogue, with more albums planned as they regain control of them "I'm proud to announce to you the blessings and return of all Bad Brains master rights/recordings to Bad Brains and out of Babylonian captivity," Daryl Jenifer declared in a statement. "These rights and other items include master reels, recently discovered photos, and etc. Thanks to JAH and all involved in this glorious feat. Stay tuned for the "re-everything" involved in all of our NINE studio albums and more. Big UP to Org Music for their faith, hard work, and dedication to BAD BRAINS RECORDS WE GOT THAT PMA 2020 and beyond."
"It is my incredible honor to work on this project, and to bring these incredible pieces of cultural history back to print in a manner that they so richly deserve," Gardner added. "With the masters back in the bands hands and working from the original sources I cannot wait for people to hear these records as they should be heard."
Highlights of the campaign include the reintroduction of 1983 sophomore album Rock for Light in its original mix (as opposed to the more common 1991 remix by Jenifer and producer Ric Ocasek), the premiere physical release of a 1982 live concert at the Fillmore Theatre in San Francisco, and three "Punk Note" color vinyl pressings featuring reimagined sleeve artwork by John Yeats of Stealworks.
You can find pre-orders for each title below along with planned release dates. All orders over $25 will come with a special 16-page newsprint fanzine packed with unseen photos, vintage concert posters and new essays from Henry Rollins, Jesse Malin, Chuck Dukowski and Jack Rabid of The Big Takeover. (The zine will also be available as a free gift with purchase at independent record stores.)
February 15, 2021: Pay to Cum b/w Stay Close to Me (7" single - originally released as Bad Brain BB001, 1980; black and 300 silver copies available)
April 5, 2021: Bad Brains (LP/CD/cassette - originally released as ROIR A106, 1982; also available as "Punk Note" vinyl pressing - 1000 green copies)
May 2021: I and I Survive EP (12"/CD - originally released as Bad Brains Records BBR-003, 1982; black and orange vinyl copies available)
June 2021: Rock for Light (LP/CD/cassette - originally released as PVC Records 8917, 1983; also available as "Punk Note" vinyl pressing - 1000 yellow copies)
August 2021: Quickness (LP/CD/cassette - originally released as Caroline Records CARCD4, 1989; also available as "Punk Note" vinyl pressing - 1000 orange copies)
October 2021: The Youth Are Getting Restless (Live at The Paradiso, Amsterdam, 1987) (LP/CD - originally released as Caroline Records CARCD8, 1990; black and blue vinyl copies available)
January 2022: Omega Sessions EP (LP/CD - originally released as Victory Records VR64, rec. 1980/rel. 1997; black and green vinyl copies avaialble)
March 2022: Live at The Fillmore 03/20/1982 (LP/CD - originally released as CD Presents (no cat. #), 2009; black and yellow vinyl copies available)
Anyone else have issues with fulfillment of the colour vinyl version?
I ordered the "Punk Note" green vinyl edition of Bad Brains S/T debut. After delays, it arrived last week, but much to my surprise, it was a simple black vinyl edition. When I documented the error and sent it to MerchNow, their answer was there was only a black vinyl version, and my invoice saying there was a colour version was a typo!
I sent them a screenshot of the store page which STILL shows the colour version (albeit now listed as sold out) and pointed out that they charged me a modest premium price for a colour version vs the standard black vinyl. So no gaslighting, it isn't just a typo, it was well advertised this was for sale.
They didn't even offer to refund me the price difference, just asked me to ship them back the black vinyl copy for full refund.