Bad Brains were formed by H.R., Dr. Know, Darryl Jenifer, and Earl Hudson in Washington, D.C.
The group originally formed in 1976 as a jazz-fusion band called Mind Power. After embracing punk rock, the musicians changed their name to Bad Brains and developed an exceptionally fast, technically precise hardcore style.
Bad Brains were also strongly influenced by reggae, and their records often placed aggressive hardcore songs beside slower reggae performances. This contrast became one of the band's defining musical features. Their 1982 self-titled debut album, often called the ROIR cassette, was a landmark release in American hardcore.
The band is sometimes confused with Minor Threat because both groups came from Washington's influential punk scene. Minor Threat featured Ian MacKaye and Jeff Nelson, while Bad Brains centered on H.R., Dr. Know, Darryl Jenifer, and Earl Hudson.