BLACK FLAG
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Image: Rainer Knäpper, Free Art License
ABOUT
Gregg Ginn and Chuck Dukowski brought Black Flag together in 1977 in pristine, Hermosa Beach, California. After releasing their own solo record, Ginn and Dukowski brought in a full band lineup, including Henry Rollins on vocals, a fan who happened to jump on set during a performance in New York. Black Flag signed their first full-length album recording contract with Unicorn Records in 1981, but the record label refused to release it due to its dark, vulgar nature. In rebellion, the band released it independently, resulting in a legal battle that meant Black Flag could not use their name or logo for the next two years until Unicorn Records went bankrupt. Despite this, the band continued to create music and released the album Everything Went Black with no reference to the band other than the names of the performers. The band eventually split when Greg Ginn decided to focus on his recording label, SST Records, in 1986. Even with legal issues, Black Flag achieved moderate success, headlining the underground Punk scene in the U.S. with edgy, vulgar music filled with social criticism, enough that they were able to embark on a revival tour in 2011.
1980s
Discography
ALBUMS
Damaged - 1981
My War - 1984
Family Man - 1984
Slip It In - 1984
Loose Nut - 1985
In My Head - 1985
​
1980s
Band Members
MEMBERS
Gregg Ginn - guitar
Dez Cadena - guitar
Ron Reyes - vocals
Henry Rollins - vocals
Chuck Dukowski - bass
Kire Roessler - bass
C'el Revuelta - bass
Roberto Valverde - drums
Emil Johnson - drums
Chuck Biscuits - drums
Bill Stevenson - drums
Anthony Martinez - drums
"Rise Above"
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Damaged - 1981
“Rise Above” is an an anti-establishment anthem. The political authorities are distorting the words of those they govern and abusing their power to achieve the agendas that benefit them the most. Despite this, everyone was born with a chance to take a stand and rise above the corrupt authority.
ABOUT
Jealous cowards try to control
Rise above, we're gonna rise above
They distort what we say
Rise above, we're gonna rise above
Try and stop what we do
Rise above, we're gonna rise above
When they can't do it themselves
Rise above, we're gonna rise above
We are tired of your abuse
Try to stop us, it's no use
Society's arms of control
Rise above, we're gonna rise above
Think they're smart, can't think for themselves
Rise above, we're gonna rise above
Laugh at us behind our backs
Rise above, we're gonna rise above
I find satisfaction in what they lack
Rise above, we're gonna rise above
We are tired of your abuse
Political authorities are good at taking the words of their constituents and twisting them to sound good outwardly when in reality they most benefit the authority.
Try to stop us, but it's no use
We are tired of your abuse
Try to stop us, but it's no use
W're born with a chance
Rise above, we're gonna rise above
I am gonna have my chance
Rise above, we're gonna rise above
We are born with a chance
Rise above, we're gonna rise above
And I am gonna have my chance
Rise above, we're gonna rise above
We are tired of your abuse
Try to stop us, it's no use
Rise above
Rise above
Rise above
We're gonna rise above
We're gonna rise above
We're gonna rise above
Instead of falling into the trap that the government has established, take the chance that you were born with and rise above the political control.
The political leaders believe that they know what is best, but they, too, are being controlled by a greater power that is not allowing them to think for themselves.
LYRICS
VIDEO
Live performance of "Rise Above" in 1984. In the video, the band is very active and even goes out into the crowd, still performing.
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"Six Pack"
ABOUT
Damaged - 1981
This song is a humorous take on the life of Keith Morris, one of the initial members of the band. He often went to rehearsals drunk and on cocaine, causing problems in the band, ultimately leading him to leave the band shortly after its creation.
I got a six-pack
And nothing to do!
I've got a six-pack
And I don't need you
Thrity-five dollards and a six pack to my name (six-pack!)
Spent the rest on beer so who's to blame? (six-pack!)
They say I'm fucked up all the time
(six-pack!)
"Well, the dude's a waste of time" (six-pack!)
I know it'll be okay
I get a six pack in me, all right
My girlfriend asked me which one do I like better? (sixpack!)
I hope the answer don't upset her (six-pack!)
I was born with a bottle in my mouth
(six-pack!)
LYRICS
This line refers to Morris’ band members complaining about his destructive habits.
Example of humor used to talk about the morose topic of alcoholism.
Now I've got six so I'll never run out (six-pack!)
I know it'll be okay
When I get a six pack in me, well, all right!
Aah, thrity-five dollars and a six pack to my name six pack!
Spent the rest on beer so who's to blame six pack!
They say I'm fucked up all the time six pack!
But I know they're a waste of time six pack!
Six-pack
Six-pack
Six-pack
What do they know about partying
Or anything else?
Morris didn’t care enough about his band’s success to curb his drinking or drug use.
VIDEO
Live performance of "Six Pack" in Hartford, CT, 1982. The crowd is wild and frequently attempts to get on stage only to launch themselves back into the crowd.
"Nervous Breakdown
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Nervous Breakdown - 1979
“Nervous Breakdown” is filled with rage and confusion, giving voice to those who feel pressured and trapped by society. Black Flag wasn’t afraid to display their disdain towards conventional societal standards, and through this song showed the internal breakdown that can happen when fed the same lines over and over again with no change.
ABOUT
Head on my shoulders
Going berserk
I won't apologize
For acting outta line
You see the way I am
You leave any time you can cause
I'm crazy and I'm hurt
Head on my shoulders
Going berserk
Crazy! Crazy! Crazy! Crazy!
I don't care what you fuckin' do
I don't care what you fuckin' say
I'm so sick of everything
I just want to die!
I'm about
To have a nervous breakdown
My head really hurts
If I don't find a way out of here
I'm gonna go berserk 'cause
I'm crazy and I'm hurt
Head on my shoulders
It's going berserk I hear the same old talk talk talk
The same old lines
Don't do me that today,
yeah If you know what's good for you
You'll get out of my way
'Cause I'm crazy and I'm hurt
LYRICS
This shows the frustration with that standards of society. There is a narrow view of what is acceptable, and it can become entrapping when one doesn’t fit within the confines of what is deemed conventional.
In times of brokenness and injustice, there is always a hope and desire for change, but with the same words being said over and over again, its just enough to drive someone crazy.
Black Flag’s nihilistic attitude comes through in this song. The subject of the song sees no way out other than death.
VIDEO
Live performance of "Nervous Breakdown" in London Ontario, Canada 1984. The video features lead singer Henry Rollins, showcasing his physicality and intense stage presence.