One of the most influencial punk rock bands to come after the "punk' revolution was Black Flag. Their style was branded Hardcore with an almost heavy metal flare. Their humorous and political lyrical content, along with guitarist Gregg Ginns' chops, separated the band from being labeled heavy metal.
In 1977, guitarist Gregg Ginn and bassist Chuck Dukowski formed Black Flag adding drummer Brian Migdol and vocalist Keith Morris. The band released their first album in 1978, an e.p. entitled, NERVOUS BREAKDOWN. This was released on Ginn and Dukowski's own, SST Records. The following year after the release, Morris departed from the band to form the Circle Jerks and Migdol left as well. Replacing Morris was Chavo Pederast and on drums, Robo. The new lineup released JEALOUS AGAIN in 1980 and toured to support the album, covering all the U.S.. With the new album and relentless touring, Black Flag developed a dedicated following. After the touring Black Flag went through another line-up change. During a New York show, a Washington DC based fan jumped on stage and sang with the band, his name was Henry Rollins and he replaced Pederast. To thicken the sound, Black Flag added a second guitarist, Dez Cadena. With the huge underground success, Black Flag signed a record contract in 1981 with Unicorn records which was a subsidiary of MCA. During this year, Black Flag recorded their first full length release, DAMAGED. Unicorn Records refused to release the record because of it's "vulgar" nature so Ginn decided to release it on his own SST Records. This caused a big problem for Black Flag. After the record was released in stores, Unicorn Records sued Black Flag and SST. As a result, Black Flag would not and could not release anything with their name or logo appearing on it. Black Flag decided to keep touring and released the double album EVERYTHING WENT BLACK which did not mention the bands name or logo on it, but instead mentioned the names of the musicians on the cover, respectively. In 1983 Unicorn records went bye,bye-bankrupt! And the band restored their rights to the name and logo.
Black Flag had some catching up to do in 1984. First, a new addition on drums, Bill Stevenson (Descendants). With this line up BF would record MY WAR and FAMILY MAN, in the same year. The next addition included bassist Kira Roessler to record SLIP IT IN, again, in 1984. A compilation of Black Flag's first four years was released entitled THE FIRST FOUR YEARS, in addition to that, the album LIVE '84 was also released, both in 1984. Oh yeah, Black Flag also reissued EVERYTHING WENT BLACK with proper credits, in 1984. Needless to say '84 was a busy year and it didn't slow down in 1985. Relentless touring and three new albums LOOSE NUT, IN MY HEAD, and THE PROCESS OF WEEDING OUT and a new drummer,Anthony Martinez, all in 1985.
In 1986, Black Flag released a live album, WHO'S GOT THE 10 1/2?. This would be the last Black Flag release before Gregg Ginn broke up the band. Ginn still runs SST Records and involves himself in side projects, even releasing a few self titled records of his own. Henry Rollins went on to form Rollins Band and travels the U.S. on spoken word tours. Rollins even writes and publishes.
Bio written by: anon |
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