Bad band: Bad Brains
The deal: Four bearded Black dudes combined reggae with hardcore and became one of the most important punk rock bands of the ’80s.
Baddest record: “I Against I”
Bad-o-meter: Tsunami

Bad band: Bad Company
The deal: A hard rockin’ British supergroup that scored big hits with “Can’t Get Enough of Your Love” and “Feel Like Makin’ Love.” They were the first group signed to Led Zeppelin’s Swan Song label.
Baddest record: “Bad Company”
Bad-o-meter: Hail

Bad band: Bad English
The deal: A 1980’s arena rock sensation featuring Journey’s Neil Schon and vocalist John Waite. Their self-titled debut record included the power ballad “When I See You Smile.”
Baddest record: “Bad English”
Bad-o-meter: Partly cloudy

Bad band: Bad Livers
The deal: Austin, TX trio who’s eclectic blend of Americana featured bluegrass, punk rock, the blues, and everything in between.
Baddest record: “Delusions of Banjer”
Bad-o-meter: Tremor

Bad band: Bad Manners
The deal: 1970’s British ska revivalists notable for their bald, fat singer, Buster Bloodvessel.
Baddest record: “Bad Manners”
Bad-o-meter: Avalanche

Bad band: The Bad Plus
The deal: A post-modern jazz trio most famous for their funky, yet stirring cover of Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit.”
Baddest record: “These Are the Vistas”
Bad-o-meter: Twister

Bad band: Bad Religion
The deal: Formed in L.A. in 1980, Bad Religion were one of the seminal punk bands of the era, and one of the first to introduce a healthy dose of melody to hardcore. 25 years later, the band is still going strong.
Baddest record: “Against the Grain”
Bad-o-meter: Ice Age

Bad band: The Bad Seeds
The deal: Nick Cave’s backup band is a post-punk supergroup featuring members of The Birthday Party, Magazine and Einsterzende Neubauten.
Baddest record: “Tender Prey”
Bad-o-meter: Firestorm

Bad band: Big Bad Voodoo Daddy
The deal: Following the success of the 1996 film “Swingers,” Big Bad Voodoo Daddy helped to revive the big band music of the ’40s and ’50s.
Baddest record: “Big Bad Voodoo Daddy”
Bad-o-meter: Mudslide

Bad band: Another Bad Creation
The deal: Discovered by the Biv in Bell Biv Devoe, this pre-teen singing group scored a couple of pop hits in 1991.
Baddest record: “Coolin’ at the Playground Ya’ Know!”
Bad-o-meter: Flurry

Bad band: Color Me Badd
The deal: White boy boy band who had several hits in the early ’90s including “I Want to Sex You Up.”
Baddest record: “C.M.B.”
Bad-o-meter: Lilac-scented spring breeze