Bad Brains “I And I Survive”/”Destroy Babylon” EP. 1982.  Important Records. Side A: “Destroy Babylon,” “Coptic Times” and “Joshua’s Song.” Confusingly, Side 1: “I And I Survive.” All four songs would be included on Bad Brains’ full length 1983 release, the eponymous Bad Brains LP. Rick Ocasek produced both that record and this EP. Side A showcases Bad Brains’ prowess at lightning fast hardcore punk (from Joshua’s Song” – We’re going to have to draw the line/We’re gonna have to free our lives/It’s time for us to fight and die/This time for us and you know why…”) tinged with Rasta spirituality (i.e. from “Coptic Times” – “…so I choose to read the Holy Bible, and take what Jah has given me/It seems that all through life one fact prevails, that the righteous all live on/These are coptic times…”). Side A’s “I And I Survive” delivers mellow reggae beats, an empowered yet gentle shake of the dreads at the violent and greedy nature of the world:

Why must all the people keep on shooting and robbing. Why? Why must must all the people keep on killing and fighting. No, not I. I and I will would never try. No, not I. I and I would never try. And why must the rich man keep on hoarding all his money. And why must the this poor man, my living ain’t very funny. No, not I. I and I would never try. No not I. I and I would never try, try to live that way. And what did Jah show them. I and I survive. They tried to stop this nation. But I and I survive. To chant down creation, I and I survive. And once again a nation.