SOUL BRAINS... bad brains is one of my all time favorite bands. Growing up as a white boy in a Southern California beach town, I always had a lot of punk rock friends. I never really got into punk rock until I heard bad brains' synthesis of roots reggae,jazz fusion, hardcore, and soul. Previously, these were the only styles of music I really listened to (other than FUNK). Embracing the DIY (Do It Yourself) ethic of Punk, I found that my mind was opening in ways I hadn't planned. I started taking more chances and acting more spontaneously. In essence, the punk rock mentality helped me FREE MY MIND... Ever since they emerged from Washington DC in the late 70's, bad brains message has been one of peace, love and unity. Combining Rasta spirituality with thrash rock, both punks and dreads alike could groove to the brains. Singer/visionary HR, his brother drummer Earl Hudson, Dr. Know on guitar and bassist Daryl Jenifer bring gracefully complex rhythms, blistering breaks and elevated harmonics to "punk" rock. Their turbulent history has included breakups (they recorded an album with singer Israel Joseph I and drummer Mackie from Cro-Mags), fights, and other dramas. The most famous incident happened just when it seemed they were about to finally get mainstream recognition. In 1995 they released "God of Love" on Madonna's Maverick label, and booked 39 cities opening for the Beastie Boys. HR allegedly freaked out a few times; hitting Earl, performing with his frilfriend handcuffed to him, and knocking some skinheads teeth out with a mic stand. The band dropped out of the tour and broke up. It appeared like HR didn't want to become a household name. I thought that was the end of the brains. I had only seen them once, in 1989. In 1998 they reunited as Soul Brains, saying they wanted to remove the negative connotations of bad brains. Some say that they lost the rights to the origianl name, but it's a moot point. Emphasizing the 'Soul' craft is a reflection of the group's style. The last few albums have been increasingly melodic and more focused on unique time signatures and chord voicings, rather than mosh-ability. The best brains tunes carry a rock hard edge delivered directly and delicately. That contrast is very appealing to a FUNKADELIC head like myself. The Funk Mob has always pushed the envelope, often confusing and confounding some of the mainstream and more PARLIAMENT oriented fans. The brains live in Woodstock and as Chuck tells us, hang out with the Cacophonic 420 FuNK MOB. Dr. Know has a side project called Stealth I have not heard. I have heard he's playing gutar in the new supergroup JACK JOHNSON with MosDef, Bernie Worrell, Doug Wimbish and Will Calhoun from Living Colour. HR and Earl have recorded several roots/dub albums as "Human Rights". I've seen Human Rights a few times with various lineups. Once, at La Casa De La Rasa in Santa Barbara, HR was just kicking it before the show. He asked me "Who's got the herb?" quoting one of his song titles. He invited my fiance and I to his van to smoke the pinner of brown leaf I had with me. HR blessed us and the herb, with thanks and praise as if it were the finest lamb's bread kali. After we got Irie, he "married" us, taking both our hands in his and telling us to be good and true to each other, for her to be patient with me because I'm a man and can't help myself. Then he thanked us and wished us a happy life. The show last night at the Key Club was a sampling of the band's entire catalog, plus two new songs. They played about hard, and half dub, including Day Tripper, Youth Are Getting Restless, I and I Survive and Jah Love. HR was videotaping the show while he sang. He was very animated, dancing and jumping, locks flying. Last year when I saw them in Humboldt and Ventura, he seemed bored, often keeping his hands in pockets, singing monotone. The Key Club (formerly Gazzari's) has petty good sound and stiff drinks. Opening were OXNARD"S own DR.KNOW (featuring singer Brandon Cruz, Eddie from "The Courtship of Eddie's Father"); Peligro, led by original Dead Kennedys drummer DH Peligro, legendary punkers D.I.(Richard Hung Himself). I found out too late that Lee Ving of FEAR did a solo acoustic set downstairs. Spotted in the crowd were Blckbyrd, members of 311, Phil Harmonic, Freddy Flint, Lyon from Ragga Soul Jah, CM Talley and Dan. Stay tuned to Lamar's Lounge for the photos when they come back from the lab... fly on, Lamar...