Bad Brains — I And I Survive / Destroy Babylon

Author: tracysigler | Posted: May 18th, 2006 | | Tags: , , , , , , | 7 Comments »

  • Artist: Bad Brains
  • Title: I And I Survive / Destroy Babylon
  • Year: 1982
  • Format: Vinyl 12 in.
  • Rating (1-10): 10
  • Owner: Tracy
  • Acquired: Not sure, mail order I think.
  • Keeper: Yes

Punk rock, heavy metal, and separately reggae, with heaping helpings of spirituality and weirdness from four black guys from D.C.? Sign me up for some of that! Bad Brains, despite not being that prolific, or maybe because of it, is probably my favorite band, ever, for all-time, into the future even. I can’t imagine a new band creating music this special to me. Their music has a sophistication, and their playing a musicianship pretty much unheard of in the world of “punk” or “hardcore.” From the moment I heard their music I thought it was as exciting as it was unlikely.

This four song EP must be pretty rare. All of the songs, “I And I Survive”, “Destroy Babylon”, “Coptic Times”, and “Joshua’s Song”, were also released on “Rock For Light” a year later. I’m not sure if they are the same versions. I was unable to quickly find another picture of this awesome cover art on the web. So, enjoy it while you’re here. I liked the art on the label on one side of this record so much that it was basis for the tattoo on my massive right bicep. See the pic.

Another interesting tidbit is that this record was produced by Ric Ocasek, of The Cars. Didn’t know Ric was that cool, did ya? To learn more read this article about Bad Brains at Wikipedia.

7 Comments on “Bad Brains — I And I Survive / Destroy Babylon”

  1. 1 Keith said at 2:22 am on May 19th, 2006:

    heh… I just noticed the signal flags in your tattoo for the first time. Pretty sneaky, sis.

  2. 2 Tracy Sigler said at 9:39 pm on May 19th, 2006:

    Ah yes, but do you know what they say?

  3. 3 I’m Heavy Duty! » Bad Brains — Rock For Light said at 7:21 pm on June 24th, 2006:

    […] Again, my favorite band ever, Bad Brains. This “Rock For Light” album has always confused me. A lot of the songs are re-recorded versions of stuff from their earlier self-titled release on ROIR Records. At the time ROIR Records was actually a cassette-only label. I used to have that “record” on cassette, but now I can’t find it. For some reason “Rock For Light” is mostly made up of songs from that cassette and the rare “I and I Survive” EP I’ve already posted. […]

  4. 4 wayne said at 11:28 pm on July 13th, 2006:

    I have been hunting for the record w/ a BB reggae song that starts of with the lyrics…”well I say yeah no…we leaving this babylon…” It ends w/ lyrics “mash down babylon”. I thought it was called “Destroy Babylon”, but this is a hardcore BB song. Can you help? Thx!!

    Rasta Live!

    Wayne

  5. 5 Tracy Sigler said at 5:34 pm on July 14th, 2006:

    Wayne, I played, or read the lyrics of, all the Bad Brains stuff I have, which is a lot, and I couldn’t find anything that matches your description. Good luck.

  6. 6 Destroy Babylon said at 3:35 pm on September 12th, 2006:

    Wayne,
    The song you’re looking for is actually called “Leaving Babylon”, one of my favorites from the self titled record. There is also a fantastic cover of that song on 311’s Soundsystem album.

    If you’re a Brains-Head, check out my band- DESTROY BABYLON! Much like HR & co., we have crazy Music A.D.D. – check out our site at http://www.MusicADD.com

    PEACE

    Marc / Destroy Babylon

  7. 7 I’m Heavy Duty! » The Cars — Since You’re Gone said at 10:01 pm on November 29th, 2006:

    […] Even if The Cars never existed Ric Ocasek will always be my hero for his work on the early Bad Brains records. […]

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