Bad Brains give their earliest studio session an official release as Are You Ready

Bad Brains released Are You Ready: The First Studio Recording (Inner Ear — March 1979) on November 6, 2026, through Trust Records. The six songs were captured during a single hour at Inner Ear Studios in Arlington. Previously circulated unofficially among tape collectors for decades, the session has now been issued in cooperation with the band.

The programme comprises Jammin’ at the Atlantis, Pay to Cum, Don’t Bother Me, Black Dots, Migraine and Send No Flowers. Ian MacKaye prepared a new mix in 2026, with mastering by Pete Lyman at Infrasonic. These are archived 1979 performances, not newly recorded material by the present lineup.

The session predates the 1980 Pay to Cum debut seven-inch and the self-titled album ROIR released on cassette in 1982. All six tracks are available digitally now. Individual vinyl represses have separate shipping schedules: the label lists December 18 for the transparent black version.