Bad Brains Are Back To Build A Nation

Build A Nation, the first proper studio album from Bad Brains in a dozen years, will hit stores on June 26 via Megaforce.

The record was produced by Beastie Boy MCA (real name Adam Yauch) at his group's Oscilloscope Laboratories studio in New York City. Yauch and bassist Darryl Jenifer were instrumental in getting original Bad Brains members H.R. (vocals), Dr. Know (guitar) and Earl Hudson (drums) back in the studio together.

"The Brains are one of the most powerful and unique bands in the world," says Yauch. "They have been a huge influence on me, and it was an honour to work with them on this record."

The band formed in Washington, D.C. in 1979 and shocked the underground music community with the way they could effortlessly move from some of the fastest guitar playing ever seen and intense hardcore punk to heavily rhythmic reggae numbers infused with Rastafarian messages. They've undergone a few lineup changes and break-ups over the years, but it looks like the quartet have solidified their relationship and are ready to rock again.

Bad Brains played the Sasquatch! Music Festival with the Beastie Boys and others in George, Wash. last weekend and will perform at The Rogers Picnic with the likes of The Roots and Bedouin Soundclash at Toronto's Fort York on July 29.

Here are the songs on Build A Nation:

"Give Thanks And Praises"
"Jah People Make The World Go Round"
"Pure Love"
"Natty Dreadlocks 'Pon The Mountaintop"
"Build A Nation"
"Expand Your Soul"
"Jah Love"
"Let There Be Angels (Just Like You)"
"Universal Peace"
"Roll On"
"Until Kingdom Comes"
"In The Beginning"
"Send You No More Flowers"
"Peace Be Unto Thee"