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If you’ve heard of punk rock, you’ve heard of Black Flag – you’ve seen the classic 4 bar logo and seen the LPs. The first thing you think of is corporate Rollins posturing and his subsequent road into heavy fuckin rock. But think again buckos, Black Flag were THE punkest band on the fuckin planet while Henry Garfield (later Rollins) was still working in a pet shop 5000 miles away. Black Flag’s 1st 7" is a punk rock milestone…. after which things were never quite as punk again….. This here article is all about Black Flag’s heyday, so I will skip the most part of their career, look elsewhere for info on their later wafflings…. 
Back in 1977 a young Greg Ginn was getting off on the new sounds of the Ramones and the New York Dolls thousands of miles away from his home in LA, frustrated at the lack of an alternative in his home town he put together a band with his pal Keith Morris. They began playing under the moniker "Panic". After drafting in a couple of friends Brian Migdol and Chuck Dukowski the band started playing clubs and parties around LA. Soon after this the band discovered another band called Panic so with the help of their artist friend came up with the name and logo for "Black Flag". A short few weeks later (mid 78) the band recorded their first 7", the infamous "Nervous Breakdown" 7"ep, 4 tracks of blazing punk rock – this is one of the most down right kick ass, pissed punk rock put to vinyl. Ginn knew no-one else was going to put out their record so he started his own label SST and the "Nervous Breakdown" became the first of many releases for the label, which is still releasing records 22 years later! As soon as the 7" was released Keith Morris decided to leave the band after personal differences with Greg Ginn (a problem recurring throughout the bands history), he went on to form the legendary Circle Jerks. Ginn had decided to give the band 100%, something not all members were prepared to do…drummer Brian Migdol left soon after Morris. Long time friend Robo stepped to help out and remained in the band for the next 3 years. The band at this time were forging their reputation as the hardest working band in LA, turning up and playing anywhere and everywhere (even without a singer). The band’s 100% no bullshit attitude to playing and advertising their shows (taping flyers to EVERY telephone poll in LA) caused much friction between the band and the LAPD, the police often shutting down the bands shows before a note was even played. The band were all living in a squat at this time, stealing food from dumpsters, practising in the day and doing shows at night.
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At the start of 1979 the band drafted in the singer of local band "the Happy Tampons" Ron Reyes (or Chavo).
LA was exploding punkwise at this time with bands like the Germs, the Vandals and X. Black Flag were still renowned as the hardest working of the bunch with their relentless gigging and flyering. At the beginning of 1980 the band returned to the studio to record the "Jealous Again" mini LP, again relations were strained and Chavo quit the band, though not before finishing recording.
Along with all the pre-Rollins material this mini LP is 5 tracks of kick ass punk with the classic "Revenge" amongst them. Long time fan and friend of the band Dez Cadena joined on vocals after Chavo’s departure completing one of Black Flag’s strongest and most stable line-ups. For the next year and a half years the band toured extensively and relentlessly across America converting punkers everywhere. In amongst touring the band recorded 2 great 7"s, the 3 track 6 pack 7" and a cover of Louie Louie. The band were partway through writing their 1st LP when they embarked on another gruelling tour of America, Ginn’s unerring work ethic pushing them harder and harder. Cadena’s voice began to trouble him during this tour, and there were points where he let the crowd take over. One infamous night in Washington DC Henry from the local band SOA jumped on stage and sang a song with the band. Immediately Cadena and Ginn agreed the band had found their new singer…. Henry Garfield…Rollins. The band asked Rollins to try out, and being as Black Flag were his favourite band he jumped at the chance. The rehearsal was a success and Rollins gave up his job, band and house and moved to LA where the band continued writing and rehearsing the legendary "Damaged" LP. Dez Cadena moved to second guitar and the band embarked on their 1st British tour. This fateful tour, explained best in Rollins’ "Get in The Van" book, really tested the band, particularly the newest member. The tour was a disaster opening for bands like the Anti Nowhere League and Chelsea. On returning to the USA Robo left to be replaced by Bill Stevenson of the Descendents…… Although some of the bands best retrospective material was released after this point (mid 1982) "Everything Went Black" and "The First Four Years" LPs, it was at this point the band started to lose direction. The band never again had a stable line up due to the bands constant tour schedule and Ginn’s renowned mood swings. Nothing the band did ever matched the band’s 1st releases, although My War is worth checking out the self absorbed noodling of Family Man and subsequent releases are best avoided in my eyes. In 1986 Greg Ginn decided enough was enough and the band imploded.
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Greg Ginn has continued to run SST records and release solo records.
Keith Morris sang in the Circle Jerks until recently when he underwent treatment for Leukaemia.
Dukowski had his radio show and worked at SST until 1997.
Ron Reyes disappeared and rumour has it was deported to Puerto Rico.
Robo moved to New York and played in the Misfits for some years, he is reportedly married and living in South America.
Dez Cadena has continued playing guitar in a number of bands though mostly experimental rather than punk.
Bill Stevenson returned to the Descendents and All after his stint in Black Flag.
Black Flag have appeared on many many things, too many to mention here. All of their releases are available in every format through SST and all their best stuff has been compiled on to 1 record. For record collectors the early issues are the most sought after, in particular the 1st press of the 1st 7". Early editions of SST releases were in slightly larger non-glossy covers. All you need to pick up as the listener is the "1st Four Years" LP which comps the 1st 4 releases and 2 compilation tracks. "Everything Went Black" LP which is a collection of previously unreleased material from the early days, and the "Damaged" LP, Rollins’ debut and a killer punk rock record…do yourself a favour if you’ve not heard them.dump your NoFx cds in the bin and get out there!!
Selected Discography:
7"s
Nervous Breakdown 7" (SST001) 1978
Six Pack 7" (SST005) 1982
TV Party 7" (SST012) 1985
Louie Louie 7 (?? – this 7" appears to be re-released in 1986, I’m not sure when it originally came out, apparently the 1st pressing has a different back cover)
LPs/12’s
Jealous Again 12" (SST003) 1980)
Damaged LP (SST007) 1981
Everything Went Black 2LP (SST015) 1982
The First Four Years LP (SST021) 1983
My War LP (SST023) 1983
Family Man LP (SST026)
Slip It In LP (SST029) 1984
Loose Nut (SST035) 1985)
Process Of Weeding Out Mini LP (SST037)
In My Head LP (SST045) 1985
Who’s Got The 10 ½? LP (SST060) 1986 Live
Wasted Again LP (SST 166) 1987 Best Of