BLACK FLAG
Black Flag is an American hardcore punk band formed in 1976 in Hermosa Beach, California. The band was established by Greg Ginn, the guitarist, primary songwriter, and sole continuous member through multiple personnel changes in the band. They are widely considered to be one of the first hardcore punk bands. After breaking up in 1986, Black Flag briefly reunited in 2003 and again in 2013.
Black Flag’s sound mixed the raw simplicity of the Ramones with atonal guitar solos and frequent tempo shifts. The lyrics were written mostly by Ginn, and like other punk rock bands of the late 1970s and early 1980s, Black Flag voiced an anti-authoritarian and non-conformist message, in songs punctuated with descriptions of social isolation, neurosis, poverty, and paranoia. These themes were explored further when Henry Rollins joined the band as lead singer in 1981. Most of the band’s material was released on Ginn’s independent label, SST Records.
Over the course of the 1980s, Black Flag’s sound, as well as their notoriety, evolved in ways that both embraced and alienated much of their early audience. As well as being central to the creation of hardcore punk, they were innovators in the first wave of American West Coast punk rock and are considered a key influence on punk subculture in the United States and abroad. Along with being among the earliest punk rock groups to incorporate elements and the influence of heavy metal melodies and rhythm, there were often overt freestyles, free jazz, breakbeat and contemporary classical elements in their sound, especially in Ginn’s guitar playing, and the band interspersed records and performances with instrumentals throughout their career. They also played longer, slower, and more complex songs at a time when bands in their milieu performed a raw, fast, three-chord format. As a result, their extensive discography is more stylistically varied than many of their punk rock contemporaries. (Wikipedia)
Black Flag is, undoubtedly, one of the most influential hardcore bands since time began. I know the importance and greatness of such bands as The Circle Jerks, Minor Threat, Dead Kennedys but the one band that always seems to crop up in current bands influences is Black Flag.
And I can relate that in the early eighties the hardcore band that was most played on Boston college radio was Black Flag.
Now they did have about seventeen singers during their ten year period and damned if I can figure out who’s singing what on which song most of the time. I will say, the earlier The Black Flag recording the better my cold, black heart seems to enjoy it. And you should know that Keith Morris, their first singer, started out with them before forming The Circle Jerks and in my cold, black mind he is the best hardcore singer of all time.
Though I am a fan of Henry Rollins I believe his time with the band produced their least enjoyable work. It was around this time they started leaning toward metal and my cold, black soul (The O’Jays, Stevie Wonder, The Spinners) just doesn’t dig it.
But let’s check out the band some say was the first hardcore band. I’m gonna say they invented the shout along back up vocals anyways. ALL-RIGHT!
“Rise Above” is one of my favorite punk songs of all time. This one and “White Riot” by The Clash I hold close to by cold, black heart.
Since becoming aware of the actual lyrics I know my interpretation is different from the song. But what it means to me- whatever circumstances you’re born into you have to rise above them. You don’t have to think like your family, your friends, your town. And it’s not like you’re above them but you gotta rise yourself so you can see past your hometown, your country, your life experiences and look around the world. Rise above the prejudices, the conformity and the idiocy. And this song kicks some motherfuckin’ ass and is one of the best sing-along, fist pumpin’ in the pit hardcore tunes that there is.
“Wasted” is also considered a Circle Jerks tune and maybe also a Slimedog theme song but now you’re just getting wise.
A young girl sitting next to me at a bar at the end of the night a few years back said to me, “Getting drunk, it’s good.” I replied, “I don’t know, I’ve never felt that way myself.” She looked at me unbelieving. “Well,” I said, “Truth be told I’ve probably been drunk more days than you’ve been alive.” This song is quick, short, complete and to the punch.
“TV Party’s” a fun song, Now people don’t watch TV and all the shows mentioned are forgotten. Got those shout along vocals though.
“Six Pack” harkens back to the time when people drank beer and listened to punk. Oh, yeah- right now!
“Nervous Breakdown” starts with some crunching Sex Pistols like guitar and sounds like the bass player had the day off. “I’m crazy and I’m hurt.” That horrible rock band Led Zeppelin’s best song is “Communication Breakdown.” This one is better.
“Jealous Again” is the real thing- stuttering rhythms, Johnny Thunders/ Chuck Berry licks jacking off into space and vocals full of bile and disgust splattered against your nice bay window like bird shit. A great dissonant solo pops in and returns again and again and again.
Black Flag just started touring again in the last couple of years with Ron Reyes, one of their earliest singers. They’ve since parted ways and I believe Greg Ginn is the only original member. At the same time Flag, headed by Keith Morris and a few other original members are also touring and sound great on youtube, anyway.
So we got Black Flag, Flag and Black which is members of the O’Jays and The Spinners doing disco/soul versions of Black Flag numbers.
Truth be told- every pop band wants to be The Beatles. If they have a bit more grit to them they want to be the Rolling Stones. If they’re a jam band they want to be the Greatful Dead. How about hardcore you ask?
This is who they want to be.
