'There But For The Grace...'

Today's post is by our friend HIM. 

I know this is a glam-centric site. I also know that most of us have very little scratch left to our discretion. But hear me out. No. Hear this out:

And this:

A younger buck would describe either as brutal. I prefer to suggest that Bad Brains are criminally overlooked in the mainstream. That first song is off their more commercially-minded (for them) 1995 release of the same name. The second song is off their more classic 1986 album of the same name. But what a corrosively poignant musical tranche! Sure, singer H. R. is about as predictable as Axl Rose, and about as reliable as Comcast. When you think, “Sure, let’s replace him with Chuck Mosley,” you can get a sense of the sort of key in which Bad Brains operates. 

But Dr. Know (Gary Miller) is a constant in the Bad Brains maelstrom. And thus the pitch equal to the title of this post. In 2015, he suffered a heart attack that led to a series of horrible health-related setbacks. Like many musicians, he wasn’t in the best of shape beforehand. And, like many, he wasn’t set up for premium health care coverage.

So this is the pitch: https://www.gofundme.com/drknowbadbrains I generally loathe this sort of thing. Though, full disclosure, I have donated to a few versions of the same. And this strikes me as significant. Many of you might not know Bad Brains. And most of you might not know the role they played in making hardcore and punk vital. In fact, they pre-date the importance of bands like Living Colour and make the Anthrax/Run D.M.C. mash-up see quaint. They put D.C. hardcore/punk on the map and showed how to blend the same with countless other musical variations. Yes, I think they are that important. So, more pitch: donate a buck, or two, or more. How it is spent doesn’t matter to me. I am not going to check on the specifics. But I know that a person like Dr. Know deserves the help, and the thanks, of people who tilt towards music that makes you think, and feel, something. 

That's us. That's metal. This is what we do. 

Comments

[Metalboy!]

DUUUDE!!! I saw 'em off "I Against I" in '86 at The Bayou in Georgetown, D.C. in 1986!

SO large, they wound up causing a riot in the place way crazier than any Trump rally!

I literally witnessed with my own two eyes, the singer, Dr. Know leaping down to the stage from the second floor balcony with many from the audience following close behind!

Let's put it this away... Four ambulances and lotsa riot gear on the way out in the aftermath!

[Dj]

I LOVE the Bad Brains. I never have gotten the chance to see them live. But it's pure, raw, in your face, energy. I heard about Dr Knows heart attack last year and it really bums me out. It's always cool to see support from the rock music community and fans in general.

[Him]

Thanks for responding Metalboy! and Dj. Like I said, Bad Brains are an important band. Sad to see one of them suffering through such a struggle.