June 1980 saw the release of the Bad Brains' debut single, which changed the face of hardcore punk forever.
"Realising that they couldn’t rely on a record company to back them, [they] released their first single, the explosive Pay To Cum, DIY-style."
Dr. Know: "We pressed it, licked ’em, sticked ’em.
There were no labels signing this, it wasn’t like that."
01. Pay To Cum
"By 1980 they had relocated to New York City, setting up shop at the city’s now-legendary club CBGB. “We played CB’s every friggin’ night,” “This whole ‘Sunday matinee’ thing is from us.
And we’re in their face, killing it. We got a weekend day, and by then a little buzz started happening.”
But still these were lean times for the band. “We were bumming on benches, selling weed to make food and stuff. We were hustlin’.”"
On 24 October 1979, Bad Brains performed 'Pay To Cum' live at CBGB's.
IXI