Label: Time Traveller
Release date: 05.12.2025

‘Building Babylon at the Bayou’ showcases some of the earliest live performances from Bad Brains, even pre-dating the band’s 1982 self-titled debut. A snapshot of the band’s burgeoning beginnings, these recordings from 1980 and 1981, recorded at The Bayou in Washington DC, were captured between the band being unofficially ‘banned in DC’ and relocating to NYC. This is the first non-jazz release by the newly formed Time Traveler Recordings label. Transferred from the original tapes and mastered by legendary producer Don Zientara, famous for his work with Minor Threat and Fugazi, amongst others. Features a booklet with liner notes by Washington Post critic Chris Richards and testimonials from Ian MacKaye, Henry Rollins, Jello Biafra, Vernon Reid and John Joseph, as well as previously unseen photographs and ephemera.
CD1 ‘July 14, 1980’
Supertouch / Shitfit
Attitude
1-2-X-U (Wire Cover)
The Big Takeover
The Man Won't Annoy Ya
Right Brigade
Redbone In The City
Paranoid (Black Sabbath Cover)
Stay Close To Me
Pay To Cum
Suck Sess
Banned In DC
I Luv I Jah
I
At The Movies
CD2 ‘March 14, 1981’
I (Incomplete)
The Big Take Over
Many Changes In Life (Barrington
Levy Cover)
Sailin' On
Right Brigade
Rally Round Jah Throne
Coptic Times
Drum Solo / Tuning
Riot Squad
Rock For Light