When Bad Brains exploded onto Washington, D.C.’s nascent punk scene in 1979, they immediately set themselves apart; not only because they were African American in a largely white community, but because they were singing about “P.M.A.,” or “Positive Mental Attitude.” It was a stark contrast to the already established nihilism of punk rock, which was dominated by white male anger and discontent. Bad Brains preached positivity and inclusiveness and lived their message. Bassist Darryl Jenifer told GQ that one of his proudest moments was when a former skinhead approached him and said, “‘I used to be a racist, and a skinhead and an asshole, and ever since I saw your band I’m different.’” Jenifer told GQ, “That alone was my platinum record.”
