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D.C. hardcore would be nothing without Bad Brains, but less obvious is the fact that the unspeakably influential Rastas are still putting their positive vibrations to tape. The band’s frontman, H.R., is well into his 50s but continues to mingle reggae and elements of hardcore with his more mellowed-out solo efforts. It’s hard to approach H.R.’s current output without considering his history: How did a dread-sporting, jazz-trained Brit become a D.C. legend, cited by everyone from the Beastie Boys to Lil’ Jon as a musical hero? How did a black punk rocker teach countless white kids to respect Haile Selassie I? The unbridled ferocity of early Bad Brains may be gone, but H.R. remains as mysterious and captivating as ever, even on an evening that’s decidedly unhardcore—a benefit for the Worldwide Marijuana March.
H.R. PERFORMS WITH FEED GOD CABBAGE, FUNK ARK, AND JOHNNY BONNEVILLE AT 8 P.M. AT ROCK & ROLL HOTEL, 1353 H ST. NE. (202) 388-7625.