Sometime In the Mid 90's....

Growing up, one of my favorite bands was the Bad Brains, I Against I being one of my Desert Island albums. So I was ecstatic to have had the opportunity to work with enigmatic lead singer HR both in the studio and live a couple of times in the 90's. He was very gracious and still super talented even at this later stage in his career.

I had by that point, though, been hearing stories about some strange behavior (he was rumored to have punched The Beastie Boys manager when the Bad Brains were opening for them on tour).

I can corroborate at least some of the rumors. One night he was scheduled to play at the Java Lounge in Long beach, where I was employed as a sound guy at the time. He was to have a full reggae band backing him (all 20 something white boys). He showed up about two hours late, a drum machine in one hand and an acoustic guitar in the other. Without ever acknowledging the band, he set up on the floor in front of the stage and proceeded to play one long 30 minute song, kind of chanting along to a techno drum beat without ever having plugged in his guitar.

Eventually the band left, bewildered, and HR finished his song (set?), unplugged, politely thanked me and left. Here is a song I recorded with him and Bargain Music around that same time.