The front man and spiritual leader of Bad Brains almost singlehandedly turned punk into hardcore, with a ferocity never before seen in music. Paul H.R. Hudson did so with love and Rasta in his heart, plus a hopefulness never before found within the oft-gloomy confines of punk rock.
Hudson’s journey has been riddled with unprecedented volatility. Hudson would go missing in action for months. There were drugs, violence, and deep, painful bouts with a debilitating mental illness?a disorder so powerful that it’s difficult to fathom how he even survived it.
How could one so tremendously troubled leave behind such an incredible body of work, with plans for more, and have made such an impact that will be felt for the rest of time itself? In Finding Joseph I, we find out how, through H.R.’s words in the form of interviews conducted throughout various stages of his illness and recovery, as well as the words of his family, bandmates past and present, friends, and those he has influenced. Interviewees include members of Bad Brains, Minor Threat, the Roots, Living Color, Deftones, 311, Fishbone, the Wailers, Cro-Mags, Dead Prez, Murphy’s Law, Sublime, and many more.
Paul (H.R.) Hudson is the singer of the legendary punk band Bad Brains and Human Rights.
Howie Abrams co-authored The Merciless Book of Metal Lists and Misfit Summer Camp: 20 Years on the Road with the Vans Warped Tour.
James Lathos is a director. His documentary debut is Finding Joseph I: The Story of Paul ＂H.R.＂ Hudson.
