Bad Brains
Bad Brains
1982Studio
- Vinyl 24
- CD 2
- Cassette 3
Artist profile · 04/07/2026
Bad Brains
Bad Brains formed in Washington, D.C. in 1977, fusing hardcore punk with reggae rhythms in a unique Afro-American Rastafarian expression that shaped alternative and punk scenes.
- 20
- Albums on Vinyles.com
- 817k
- Last.fm listeners
- 27M
- Last.fm plays
About
Bad Brains, Trailblazers of hardcore punk and reggae from Washington, D.C.
24 vinyl records from punk-infused reggae pioneers — originals and colored editions tracked live.
Bad Brains arose in the late 1970s as a pioneering hardcore punk band blending rapid, aggressive music with reggae's deep groove. Founded by four Afro-American Rastafarians from Washington, D.C., their work crosses the punk, hardcore, alternative rock, and reggae genres. Their discography includes influential albums such as Bad Brains (1982), Rock For Light (1983), and I Against I (1986) with a catalog also featuring live recordings and reissues on various colored vinyl editions.
They stood out for technical precision and virtuosity uncommon in hardcore punk’s early days. Bad Brains' catalog includes official pressings from labels such as SST, Megaforce, PVC Records, and Caroline Records.
Discography
Bad Brains discography
Studio albums, live records, compilations and radio recordings. Each album groups all its editions.
Live
Bad Brains
1988Live
- Vinyl 3
- CD 1
- Cassette 1
God of Love
Bad Brains
1995Studio
- Vinyl 4
- CD 1
- Cassette 1
Black Dots
Bad Brains
1996Studio
- Vinyl 3
- CD 1
- Cassette
I & I Survived (dub)
Bad Brains
2002Studio
- Vinyl 1
- CD 2
- Cassette
Live at CBGB OMFUG 1982: The Audio Recordings
Bad Brains
2006Live
- Vinyl
- CD
- Cassette
Build a Nation
Bad Brains
2007Studio
- Vinyl 5
- CD 1
- Cassette
Live at the Fillmore 1982
Bad Brains
2010Live
- Vinyl
- CD
- Cassette
1982-10-20: Old Waldorf, San Francisco, CA, USA
Bad Brains
2015Live
- Vinyl
- CD
- Cassette
Data provided by Discogs
Listen
Signature songs
- 01
Banned in D.C. - 02Sailin' On
- 03Pay to Cum
- 04Attitude
- 05Don't Need It
- 06The Regulator
- 07
I Against II Against I · 1986 - 08Right Brigade
Essentials
3 Bad Brains albums you need to own
Our picks, approved by the editors.
#1 · 1986This album marks a blend of punk, hardcore, hard rock, and metal with 12 tracks showcasing band's technical skill and energy, key to their legacy.
12 tracksLP formatReleased in 1986SST Records
#2 · 2012Blending punk, hardcore, and roots reggae, this 13-track album reflects the band’s evolution with varied tempos and styles on Megaforce Records.
13 tracksLP format2012 releaseMegaforce Records
#3 · 1993Their 1993 album combining hardcore punk and dub influences with 12 tracks, noted for expansive themes and production under Epic Records.
12 tracksLP format1993 releaseEpic Records
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B-side
B-side: the hidden stories of Bad Brains
Studio secrets, tour stories and B-sides worth the whole album.
01Release
Live at The Paradiso, Amsterdam 1987 on 'The Youth Are Getting Restless'
This live LP, released in 1990 by Caroline Records, captures a 1987 performance with 17 tracks mixing rock, reggae, and hardcore elements, available on multiple vinyl editions including original US and European pressings.
02Edition
Colored Vinyl Editions
Several notable colored vinyl pressings include clear red and green variants of albums like 'Omega Sessions' and 'Rock For Light' issued in 2025 by Org Music, appealing to collectors and vinyl enthusiasts.
03Original Pressing
Original 2012 LP of 'Into The Future' from Megaforce
The US LP pressing from 2012 by Megaforce Records remains sought-after, priced from approximately €24 to €43 depending on condition and availability, a key release showing the band's expanded sound.
They brought precision and virtuosity to hardcore punk at a time when raw aggression was often the norm.— Band analysis
05Line-Up
Key Band Members from Late 70s Formation
From 1979 to 1990, the band featured H.R. on vocals, Dr. Know on guitar, Darryl Jenifer on bass, and Earl Hudson on drums, a lineup responsible for most seminal recordings including 'I Against I'.
Adam Yauch recognized Bad Brains as a major influence despite their underground status.— Music history note
Bad Brains vinyl discography
See allPre-order Are You Ready : The First Studio Recording (Inner Ear - March 1979)
Bad Brains
Punk / HardcoreAlternatif
2026-11-06Pre-order Are You Ready : The First Studio Recording (Inner Ear - March 1979)
Bad Brains
Punk / HardcoreAlternatif
2026-11-06Bad Brains - Punk Note Edition
Bad Brains
Punk / HardcoreAlternatif
2026-04-03Org MusicFrom$26.99
2 offersBad Brains - Building Babylon at the Bayou
Bad Brains
New Age / AmbientAmbiance
2026-01-02Time TravelerFrom$80.00
1 offerRock For Light - Vinyle Rouge
Bad Brains
Punk / HardcoreAlternatif
2025-12-12Org MusicFrom$46.40
1 offerOmega Sessions - Vinyle Rouge
Bad Brains
Punk / HardcoreAlternatif
2025-12-12Org MusicFrom$24.99
1 offerThe Youth Are Getting Restless
Bad Brains
Punk / HardcoreAlternatif
2025-12-12Org MusicFrom$23.84
1 offerBad Brains - Vinyle Rouge Transparent
Bad Brains
Rock indépendantAlternatif
2025-10-03Org MusicFrom$25.90
1 offerI Against I - Punk Note Edition
Bad Brains
Punk / HardcoreAlternatif
2024-07-26Org MusicFrom$27.89
1 offerI Against I - Vinyle Vert Plutonium
Bad Brains
Punk / HardcoreAlternatif
2024-07-26Org MusicFrom$24.90
1 offerQuickness - Punk Note Edition
Bad Brains
Punk / HardcoreAlternatif
2022-09-23Org MusicFrom$23.99
1 offerINTO THE FUTURE/VINYLE COULEUR
Bad Brains
Punk / HardcoreAlternatif
2021-06-04MEGAFORCEFrom$23.64
1 offer
Bad Brains CDs
See allBad Brains - Building Babylon at the Bayou
Bad Brains
Rock indépendantAlternatif
2025-12-05Time TravelerFrom$25.26
1 offer
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FAQ
FAQ
The most common questions about pressings, reissues and limited editions.
When was Bad Brains formed and where are they from?
Bad Brains was formed in 1977 in Washington, D.C., United States, by four Afro-American Rastafarian musicians.
What genres does Bad Brains' music combine?
Their music combines hardcore punk, punk, alternative rock, and reggae influences.
Which labels have released Bad Brains vinyl records?
Notable labels include SST Records, Megaforce Records, PVC Records, Caroline Records, and Epic Records.
What makes the vinyl editions of Bad Brains collectible?
Collectors value original pressings, colored vinyl editions, and special punk note editions for their rarity and unique presentation.
Are Bad Brains records available on colored vinyl in France?
Yes, some limited edition colored vinyl from Bad Brains are available in France, including releases by Org Music.
Where can I find pressings of 'Rise' released in France?
The 1993 'Rise' album has an LP pressing released in France by Epic Records with catalog numbers EPC 474265 1 and 474265 1.
What is the track count and format of the 'Into The Future' album on vinyl?
'Into The Future' on vinyl is an LP album with 13 tracks, released in 2012 on Megaforce Records.
How many tracks and what format does 'I Against I' have on vinyl?
'I Against I' is released as a vinyl LP album with 12 tracks, originally issued in 1986 on SST Records.
Transparency
Sources & method
This profile is compiled by the vinyles.com editors from public sources and our marketplace.
Our method
- Discography data from MusicBrainz (dates, country, active years).
- Tracklists, covers and genres from Discogs Masters.
- Values (low / median / high) and stock from the Discogs Marketplace.
- Audience and similar artists from Last.fm.
- Page updated automatically and reviewed by the editors.
Last updated: 04/07/2026