Ganny McVagflaps Posted April 1, 2003 Share Posted April 1, 2003 You don't know about BLACK FLAG!!???? Here's a (not so) brief history... One of the most powerful bands to emerge from the cinders of punk... one of the most powerful bands ever. Greg Ginn, a madman and a thorough disciple of the guitar, brought this band into being in 1977 in the depths of L.A. outside of the reaches of the excesses of the '70s. He'd had enough of the "California" sound of the Eagles, the over-production of Steely Dan and ELO. It was time to create a new sound. Fueled by the simplicity and immediacy of the Ramones first album, he pulled together a small group of people who could barely play their instruments and began a pattern of musical deconstruction that exploded on a brand new scene that was just beginning to form. The fact that Black Flag survived their first four years was amazing. Singers kept quitting, occasionally during shows. But the band persevered, even acting in an instrumental capacity in between singers. It became common during these periods for people to jump on stage and act as the stand-in vocalist for the band. The band finally settled into a stable unit with Ginn on guitar, Chuck Dukowski on bass, Robo on drums, and Dez Cadena as the permanent vocalist. It was with this line-up that Black Flag first ventured out on its first US tours. By December of 1980, the band was making its way across the USA for the first time. They played their first dates in New York City and Washington D.C. In the audience at each show were D.C. youths Ian MacKaye and Henry Garfield. They spoke to the band and ended up hanging out with them. Flag came east again during the summer of 1981. It was at a show in New York City that Henry ended up getting on stage and singing with the band for one song. Unbeknownst to Henry, Dez had been wanting to give up the mic to move over to rhythm guitar. Jumping on stage to sing left an impression on the band, so they ended up calling Henry back to NYC from D.C. and asked him to 'jam' with the band. After taking the train ride up and practicing with the band for a few hours, the others talked it over and decided that Henry would be the new vocalist. He quit his job, sublet his apartment, sold nearly everything he owned, and joined the band on tour several days later. This line up only lasted until their tour of England in late 1981, but long enough to record the first album, Damaged. It was after their tour of the UK that they lost long time drummer Robo. Bill Stevenson of the Descendents filled in for a show or two, but a succession of replacement drummers (including future Danzig drummer Chuck Biscuits) came before he took over as the full time drummer. Flag were kept from releasing a sophomore album due to legal difficulties with the label that were originally scheduled to release Damaged. SST had taken it upon themselves to release the album themselves once MCA (in charge of distributing the Unicorn label) deemed it "An Anti-Parent Record" and unsuitable for corporate release. By doing so themselves, however, they violated a contract and wound up with thousands in legal bills andinjunctions against them for the next two years. Despite this, they released a compilation of formerly unreleased takes without the Black Flag name and ended up in more legal troubles... it was determined to still be Black Flag. More bills. By the time My War was released in 1983, Stevenson was in, but Dukowski had left the group. Ginn performed bass duties himself for the recording of the album under the name Dale Nixon. Kira Roessler was brought in by the end of the year as the new bass player.1984 began an incredibly intense period of activity for the band. They released two albums that year, the split Family Man (half early Rollins spoken word, half Flag instrumentals), and the aggressive Slip It In. They toured insanely, going to great lengths to tour as many places in as little time as possible. Intensive tours into the depths of Europe and throughout the United States ensued. They even went to the length of playing three shows in three states in the space of 24 hours... lengths bands today will usually not go to. 1985 was even more active. Three album releases, including Loose Nut and In My Head interrupted by the instrumental Process of Weeding Out. Soon after, Stevenson and then Kira left the band. Anthony Martinez and C'el were taken on as the new drummer and bass player respectively and another shakedown of the United States was undertaken. Also on the bill were groups Painted Willie and the Ginn led instrumental trio Gone (including future Rollins Band rhythm section Simeon Cain and Andrew Weiss.) The three legs of the tour were probably the most ambitious touring of their career. It would also be their last. In mid-1986, Ginn called the members of the band and told them he was quitting Black Flag. So ended the near ten year career of one of the most dynamic bands to come out of punk. Ginn concentrated on running SST Records. A year later, the Rollins Band had already begun touring. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ganny McVagflaps Posted April 1, 2003 Share Posted April 1, 2003 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobitussinEF Posted April 2, 2003 Share Posted April 2, 2003 The Birdman cover is prett cool..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unidentified Source Posted April 2, 2003 Share Posted April 2, 2003 ODB definately has one of the craziest album covers. That guy must be officially insane if you ask me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ganny McVagflaps Posted April 7, 2003 Share Posted April 7, 2003 This one hasn't even been released yet but it's a guddin.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reverend Jax Posted July 30, 2003 Share Posted July 30, 2003 One of the coolest album covers ever, GN'R Lies: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ganny McVagflaps Posted October 7, 2003 Share Posted October 7, 2003 If ya gotta go... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reverend Jax Posted October 7, 2003 Share Posted October 7, 2003 Damn that's a good album. Every song's awesome. One of my favorites doesn't even have an album cover. Clear plastic case, revealing the actual cd behind it, to look like this: When I bought this a showed to people, they were like "Yeah, it's a burnt CD, so what?" The illusion is incredible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigChiefSlapaho Posted October 7, 2003 Share Posted October 7, 2003 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reverend Jax Posted October 9, 2003 Share Posted October 9, 2003 (edited) Let's begin a conjoined (siamese) twin theme! Edited October 9, 2003 by Jack's Meandering Thoughts Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MusicManiac Posted February 27, 2006 Share Posted February 27, 2006 (edited) Pearl Jam - Riot Act Edited February 27, 2006 by MusicManiac Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MusicManiac Posted February 27, 2006 Share Posted February 27, 2006 (edited) Edited February 27, 2006 by MusicManiac Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whiterasta Posted February 27, 2006 Share Posted February 27, 2006 And the deluxe edition, with the case designed to look like a lighter: A few from My Bloody Valentine: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MusicManiac Posted February 27, 2006 Share Posted February 27, 2006 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Satan Posted February 28, 2006 Share Posted February 28, 2006 Zoso baby, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IguanaDon? Posted February 28, 2006 Share Posted February 28, 2006 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The NZA Posted February 28, 2006 Share Posted February 28, 2006 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ganny McVagflaps Posted February 28, 2006 Share Posted February 28, 2006 This thread is sweet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whiterasta Posted March 1, 2006 Share Posted March 1, 2006 Cheers 2track, I love to relax with some good dub m'self. KOS already posted my favorite of theirs ('Doolittle'), but I always preferred this one's cover. Very subtle, darkly sexy: Haunting, foreboding, fits the album perfectly (IC, did you get a chance to listen to this yet, if so, what'd ya think?): Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IguanaDon? Posted March 2, 2006 Share Posted March 2, 2006 Blur Best Of The Stone Roses Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MusicManiac Posted March 2, 2006 Share Posted March 2, 2006 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ganny McVagflaps Posted March 2, 2006 Share Posted March 2, 2006 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ganny McVagflaps Posted March 2, 2006 Share Posted March 2, 2006 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The NZA Posted March 2, 2006 Share Posted March 2, 2006 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MusicManiac Posted March 6, 2006 Share Posted March 6, 2006 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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