A Toast to Alternative Black Musicians: Positive Mental Attitude

 Welcome to our final toast of this year's Black History Month! To wrap up this series, we shall focus on a group that shattered racial and countercultural stereotypes and made their mark in the history of punk. Here are Bad Brains with "I Against I."

Of course, Bad Brains barely resembled the majority of punk bands of the 80s, as this band consisted of four black Rastafarians in a white-dominated genre. Bad Brains (originally a jazz fusion group) broke into D.C.'s punk scene in 1976 with a technical prowess uncommon amidst the rugged genre. They paired this with breakneck tempos, breakdowns, enforced chaos, and unapologetically brash lyrics, all combined to cement their iconic sound that would leave an impact as a pioneering band in the hardcore realm. 

Bad Brains also stood out by breaking down cultural barriers. This could be seen in their blending of cultures, as they combined punk with funk and reggae. Also, they rejected stereotypes of what others expected those of their race to play. This left an impression on other musicians and encouraged them to take a similar path (one notable example were Beasties Boys, fans of Bad Brains, who went the other musical direction into hip hop). 

Another thing that defined the band and set them apart was their dedication to positive mental attitude, or PMA as they called it. This directly contrasted the prevalent cynicism characteristic of the genre, and their preference for nonviolence contrasted the turbulent nature and conflicts that troubled the counterculture at the time.

Bad Brains' album I Against I (1986) took the trademark cultural fusion further by incorporating metal into the mix. The titular song, our track for today, is a fantastic example of the band's unique sound, kicking off with a rapid fire patter which is intersected by a slower, riff-heavy interlude.

As I conclude this series, I encourage everyone to embrace PMA, expand your horizons, and step out of the box.