
Black Flag is an American punk rock band formed in 1976 in Hermosa Beach, California. Initially called Panic, 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, as well as one of the pioneers of post-hardcore. After breaking up in 1986, Black Flag reunited in 2003 and again in 2013. The second reunion lasted well over a year, during which they released their first studio album in nearly three decades, What The...(2013). The band announced their third reunion in January 2019.
Black Flag's sound mixed the raw simplicity of the Ramones with atonal guitar solos and, in later years, frequent tempo shifts. The lyrics were written mostly by Ginn, and like other punk bands of the late 1970s and early 1980s, Black Flag voiced an anti-authoritarian and nonconformist 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 record label SST Records.
Links to Peel[]
Peel played the band's material in the early 80's, but not as much as he did other American punk rock bands of the era, according to available tracklistings on this site. When Henry Rollins left the group and went solo, Peel rarely played much material from him either.
Shows Played[]
- 18 February 1982: Six Pack (7") Alternative Tentacles
- 21 February 1982 (BFBS): Padded Cell (album - Damaged) SST / Unicorn
- 29 March 1982: Padded Cell (album - Damaged) SST / Unicorn
- 04 April 1982 (BFBS): Padded Cell (album - Damaged) SST / Unicorn
- 1983
- 03 December 1983 (BFBS): Six Pack (7") Alternative Tentacles
- 1984
- 13 September 1984: Nervous Breakdown (single) SST
- 1986
- 07 November 1986 (BFBS): 'Padded Cell (LP-Everything Went Black)' (SST) (listener's request)
- 1987
- 24 August 1987: Life Of Pain (v/a LP - Desperate Teenage Lovedolls) Gasatanka