This has to be my favorite photo of HR.
HR, Madam’s Organ, DC; 1980. By Lucien Perkins, from the book Hard Art, DC 1979.
Via Jose Mejia.
Glenn Danzig (Misfits) talks about books in black and white. The best part is when he talks about what evil is…
I can’t even explain how much I love to hear HR talk. THE BAD BRAIN HIMSELF.
Some Words On Why The Beastie Boys Matter So Much To Me:
This was inspired by an article that came out on my folks site Largeup.com today about the Beastie Boys’ connection to reggae music. I left this comment on their article today:
The Beasties truly represented my musical path more than any other group ever. I came of age (11-13) going to see to hardcore bands like Bad Brains and Murphy’s Law, who obviously both had big reggae/ska influences. At the same time, I was being introduced to “The Harder They Come” soundtrack (which includes the “Stop That Train” sample), Eek A Mouse, Steel Pulse, Yellowman and the like. I remember, my boy had all these reggae artist names scrawled on his book bag, and it just had a HUGE effect on me. I went and found all those artists.
After being raised on classic rock, yacht rock and 80s music, hardcore and punk were the next logical step. Then, all the hardcore kids in Boston (where I grew up) took off their Doc Martens, and put on sneakers, started listening to/going to more reggae, ska and hip-hop shows, and called themselves “sneaker boys”. Precisely at this time, I moved to NYC. I never went to another hardcore show again. I got completely obsessed with listening to Red Alert, Stretch Armstrong, Kid Capri and Silver Dee on the radio, and just got consumed by hip-hop. Later on, I went back and caught back up on all these previous phases, which was great therapy.
The Beasties represent the true nature of hip-hop and dj culture to me. The people that started hip-hop (and dj culture), just loved music. ALL KINDS. But the Beasties also had a musical progression that mirrored mine, which transcends any of that for me. The connection between reggae, punk, hardcore and hip-hop is something that I think many people who call themselves “hip-hop fans” just don’t even understand.
Dissizit! Interview w/ H.R. of Bad Brains - I HAVE GOT THAT PMA…usually.
Monumental photographer @GlenEFriedman (who took the photo above) has a new site:
Burning Flags Press - Glen E. Friedman’s Idealist Propoganda
Want to know a little about where I come from? Watch this Mighty Mighty Bosstones video for “Devil’s Night Out”. Bill’s Bar, The Channel (old venues in Boston), The Citgo Sign, Bosstones and Fishbone shows: These places were linchpins in the world I grew up in until I was 15, when I swayed from hardcore and ska to hip-hop and reggae, and from Boston to New York.
Just happened to be up at 8am thinking about Stairway To Heaven.
Stairway was a store in Boston, MA that sold rock/music related t-shirts, posters and “memorabilia”. It was also a head shop (?) Memories are blurry. It was owned by “Mr. and Mrs. Stairway”, otherwise known as Nate and Kathy.
My sister’s best friend used to work at Stairway To Heaven when I was like nine, ten, eleven years old, and it had a huge impact on my early musical memories and foundation. My sister and her friends also worked at Avalon and other nightclubs on Landsdowne St as well.
I grew up (very young) in the hardcore scene in Boston, going to see Bad Brains, Murphy’s Law, The Bosstones and Fishbone play, as well as more mainstream bands like The Pixies and even Prince and The Cure. Stairway To Heaven was always the go-to spot for my musical-fashion needs.
There’s actually a Fan Page for the store on Facebook. I dug it up, and snagged the bold card and flick of the shop below from them.
According to the fan page, the store was located at 
Tremont St. Location:
