DEAD KENNEDYS: East Coast Tour 2025

Paul "HR" Hudson was born in Liverpool, England, in 1956, to a Jamaican mother and American father who moved him to the States when he was a toddler. As his father was in the Air Force, his family moved around a lot, finally settling just outside of Washington, DC. In addition to his love for music, HR was an athlete from an early age and excelled in swimming and pole vaulting.
HR is best known as the front man for the iconic punk band Bad
Brains. HR and his brother, Earl, together with friends Gary "Dr. Know" Miller and Darryl Jenifer, began as Mind Power, a jazz fusion band, then formed Bad Brains in 1979. With unprecedented speed and precision, Bad Brains took the Washington, DC music scene by storm and quickly became the most influential band in American punk history. They created music that was about closing the racial divide and maintaining a positive mental attitude (PMA). This concept of PMA continues to inspire fans to this day.
Early in his career, HR became interested in reggae and the Rastafarian movement. These pursuits transformed him and he began to focus more on the spiritual nature of reggae than the fast lifestyle of the punk
scene. Together with Al "Judah" Walker, he formed the short-lived group called Zion Train. He then moved on and formed Human Rights with his brother in 1984.
HR formed a friendship with his mentor, musician Ras Michael, a high priest of the Rastafarian movement. Ras Michael baptised him in the late 1980's and named him Ras Hailu Gabriel Joseph I. Many people in his life began calling him "Joseph" or "Joe" at this time, and he continued to inspire those around him with his message of love and righteousness.
Having spent much of his adulthood living with a mental disorder, HR's career has been riddled with periods of highs and lows. Controversy seems to follow him. Another health issue surfaced--debilitating headaches--but HR maintained "that PMA" and found relief through brain surgery! To learn more, please see the documentary film Finding Joseph I and its companion book Finding Joseph I: An Oral History of H.R. From Bad Brains, which was released in December 2016.
HR has adult children and has been married since 2012.

The Raging Nathans are a high-energy punk rock band that has carved a niche for themselves with their relentless touring, prolific discography, and unwavering DIY ethos. Hailing from Dayton, Ohio, the band has become synonymous with a raw, melodic punk that blends heartfelt lyrics with driving rhythms and anthemic choruses.
Drawing inspiration from classic punk rock and pop-punk influences, The Raging Nathans deliver a sound that’s as catchy as it is aggressive. The band’s lyrical themes often explore personal struggles, societal discontent, and moments of resilience, connecting deeply with their audience. The Raging Nathans are proudly rooted in the DIY tradition of punk rock. From years of booking their own tours and releasing scores of records on independent labels, the band maintains creative and operational control over their work. This commitment extends to their involvement in the underground punk community, where they collaborate with like-minded artists, zines, and promoters to keep their DIY ethos alive.
Known for their relentless work ethic, The Raging Nathans have toured extensively all over the world. Their live shows are a visceral experience, with the band’s infectious energy igniting crowds in venues big and small. Whether playing in a packed club or a DIY basement, they bring the same level of intensity and passion to every performance, solidifying their reputation as a must-see live act.
True to their punk rock roots, The Raging Nathans have been remarkably prolific in releasing music. Their discography includes six full-length albums as well as dozens of EPs, and splits with other bands. Each release showcases their evolution as songwriters and their knack for releasing quality material consistently has earned them a dedicated fanbase and critical acclaim within the punk community.