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I've also bought my ticket to see Henry Rollins speak on June 13th.
Every time I've sent him an e-mail he's replied. He's just really down-to-earth, no-bullshit. He acknowledges fans and answers any question you ask, as long as you're not someone wasting his precious time.
This tour is called THE LONG MARCH TOUR, and I'm in awe of how many shows he does in sucession- his stamina and discipline impress me to no end. He's doing a spoken word show at Dominion-Chalmers church on Cooper street in Ottawa, and if you're in the neighborhood, BE THERE to hear a Great Man tell you things that are good for your head.
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No offence intended, just sheer toe-tapping AWESOMENESS of psychobilly genius:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysNlke8VKN4
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The Cockroaches are amazing and they're from Montreal Canada. Trying to find their self-titled CD is almost impossible. I found it for $40.
I don't know if they are still in existence or what. Their CD is out of print.
I wish YouTube had the song "Long Blonde Hair", but this'll have to do..
www.youtube.com/watch?v=qBGLXVzy4C8
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A friend of mine schooled me on psychobilly music, and I'm hooked now.
You want badass music?
Listen to Mad Sin (German psychobilly band), Tiger Army (w/ Nick 13), The Brains, Guana Batz, Nekromantix (they have a COFFIN bass!), Horrorpops, The Mutilators and the Grand Daddy band of them all,
THE METEORS- the original psychobilly band. There are legions of others, but these are a great start to this bastard child of Carl Perkins.
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And here's the Legendary Wendy O. Williams, getting you up off your knees. You'll Suck. Seed.
(and check out the Plasmatics if you have a shred of cool in you)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zgdfi9dk7w
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An announcement has been made that would, under most circumstances, make me go berzerk with Joy.
But sadly, I have to condemn it.
BLACK FLAG, the Iconic hardcore punk band are re-forming this year for one show in August.
WITHOUT Henry Rollins.
And that my friends, is an Unforgivable Sin. And I'll explain why.
Greg Ginn is the founder and Lead guitarist for Black Flag. He is a musical Genius. That much is not EVER in question.
However, he has never paid any royalties to any band member. No one.
I have exchanged e-mails with Henry last year and he replied to me that he doesn't need the money as he's very fortunate with his tours and shows and publishing company. But there are OTHER members of Black Flag who aren't doing so hot and could use some cash.
Greg Ginn has been referred to as someone who "Only plays Offence, never Defence", and Henry has said many times that Greg Ginn is "Black Flag Incorporated"- I have dropped quite a lot of money into Greg's coffers (SST Records)- I have everything Black Flag ever did- EVERYTHING. They are my second favorite band next to The Doors.
Greg must have made millions and millions since 1986.
And he's never thrown any band members a royalty bone. It's astounding.
Henry told me in an e-mail that Greg is, in legal speak, IN BREACH.
And here Greg is, resurrecting the band that he quit! He called Henry and told him HE was quitting in late '86, something Henry found very odd, as it was Greg's band. Obviously without Greg there is no Black Flag. And there hasn't been a Black Flag band since then.
They did a reunion show disaster awhile back without Henry. People wanted their money back.
Ron Reyes will be the singer for the August 2013 gig. I have no problem with Ron, but the best Flag songs (besides first frontman Kieth Morris' days) are with HENRY. That is an ironclad fact. My favorite BF songs are ones with Henry on the mic:
MY WAR
BLACK COFFEE
ANNIHILATE THIS WEEK
IN MY HEAD
and on and on...
Henry has said he doesn't want to re-tread the past, but I think that was more out of sheer frustration and embarrassment over Greg Ginn and his Chronic Habits.
Greg is an asshole.
I hate to run down one of my Heroes, as Black Flag are an INVINCIBLE band to me, but without paying a SOUL a royalty, Greg sux donkey cock.
And hey, I know the band made no money in the 80's- but since the group broke up, the sales of Black Flag swag and LP's went through the ROOF! And Henry Rollins was the one who made me buy em, just like many many other fans. So Greg is an asshole.
I wonder what the hell he is doing with this re-forming of the band. Selling more merch?
I disgusts me. The band IS Greg's- he can do whatever he wants. But his Legacy wasn't accomplished without help.
Think about that before you get jacked up about the TYRANNUSAURUS REX of HARDCORE doing a gig this year....
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NOW I can go berzerk with Joy.
Chuck Dukowski, the original bassist for Black Flag has basically given the middle finger to Greg Ginn, by forming FLAG, with original singer Kieth Morris (the first and best Black Flag vocalist- of the Circle Jerks), Dez Cadena- another BF singer from the Glory days- and drummer Bill Stevenson.
They play Toronto on June 20th at the Opera House. Will I be there? Does the Pope think he's catholic?
They will be performing Black Flag songs.
Henry Rollins is conspicuously absent, but I understand why.
He has said he has no happy memories from his Black Flag days and that he does not want to re-tread the past.
I think my soul will explode at the FLAG gig.....I can't believe I'll be seeing 4 original members Live....
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One thing I love about Toronto is that all the big bands play here.
The Rolling Stones play here next month (I couldn't get a ticket to save my life), Patti Smith has a "Camera Solo" exhibition at the Art Gallery of Ontario until July (I will not miss that- I wanted a ticket to see her perform Live at the AGO but guess what? SOLD OUT.)
The Specials play Kool Haus soon (love that group! THIS TOWN IS RUNNIN' LIKE A GHOST TOWN...), Bad Brains play June 13th, and Glenn Danzig will play at Sound Academy- gotta be there for that gig- guitarist DOYLE from the Misfits will join him.
But the show of the year for me is FLAG, with Kieth Morris, Dez Cadena, Bill Stevenson and The DUKE, Chuck Dukowski on bass playing the Immortal songs of Black Flag. I already have my ticket, and I got it a week before they went on sale. First on the stack! number 0000001!
You say you're a Black Flag fan?
Well I got the first ticket, Bitch.
You're not as big a fan as me.
Sad that there's no Henry Rollins on the mic, but I know exactly why. It's no mystery.
And Greg Ginn?
He alienated everyone in the punk world.
It's astounding.
Greg....your Genius Legend Status has taken a Massive hit.
But you probably don't care, right?
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FLAG at NXNE
I had the incredible honor of seeing heroes of mine play immortal hardcore music at the Opera House in Toronto for NXNE.
FLAG, Chuck Dukowski's touring version of Black Flag (minus co-founder Greg Ginn) played for 1 hour and destroyed all comers.
Stephen Egerton and Bill Stevenson from the Descendents (and Bill was Black Flag's drummer for a while) joined Dez Cadena and Chuck and original frontman Keith Morris to deliver an Epic setlist of classic Flag tunes. I was in heaven, it was just sheer nirvana.
The crowd was a mixed bag, with youngsters and old "vets" who saw these guys in their prime. One 50+ guy in particular made himself look like a total jackass by telling Keith to "stop talking" the first time he spoke to the crowd. I'm surprised Keith didn't kick him in the face.
The guy was a drunk, greasy old punk. I hope he wasn't from Toronto. He made us look bad.
Keith was talking about Hermosa Beach, and how there isn't much cool to do there except surf and look at girls in bikinis when that idiot shouted "stop talking!" Keith looked at him and said "What?" The guy shouted again: "stop talking!"
Keith just said "OK, I'll just take my mic and go. I'll listen to you..." Fuck what an idiot he was.
The "fans" who stage-dived were morons. I couldn't believe they got up onstage (repeatedly) and stage-dived, bumping into Stephen as he played, no compass, drunk on their asses- one of them, he looked like a 16-year old muslim with a hand-made Black Flag tee and red headband, got up multiple times and bumped into Chuck like a total moron- at one point Keith singled him out- "HEY YOU! with the red headband! You don't have to get up here and manhandle Chuck!" What does the kid do? He climbs up onstage and hugs Chuck! Chuck just shrugged at Keith. Amazing. Chuck did some bass noodling and Keith tells him to stop: "You can do your bass solo later..."
Bill was on a riser, behind his impressive Yamaha drumkit. He was like the Rock of Gibraltar. Precision and Perfection on drums. The Ultimate Anchor Man.
Hearing those songs Live was almost too much for me. It was like I'd died and gone to heaven. No joke.
They played all the "hits", if you can call them "hits":
Revenge, Padded Cell (sung by Dez), My War, Jealous Again, Clocked In, Fix Me, Wasted, Gimme Gimme Gimme, Rise Above, Police Story (also sung by Dez, he dedicated it to "the guy at the border", American Waste, No More, Thirsty & Miserable, No Values, Six Pack, Louie Louie and for the encore they did two:
DAMAGED I- Incredible to hear that one and even more incredible to hear I LOVE YOU from the My War Lp- I was very surprised that they chose that one. Keith said before they started the encore that they intended to play those 2 songs as the crowd were filing out of the venue, but it was clear that no one was gonna leave until FLAG were off the stage for good.
I took photos (they'll be up on Facebook sometime soon) and I got my Rise Above CD sleeve signed by Chuck- he wrote "MY LIFE IS THEIR DISEASE. AIN'T NO PHASE" (Henry Rollins and THE DUKE have signed my CD sleeve!!!) and I also got a photo and chatted with Dez outside before their van took off for Montebello Quebec. He's a big NY Giants fan and loves baseball.
They played with Marilyn Manson and Alice Cooper at Montebello and Dez told me to listen to ALice's radio show- "He plays some great stuff on his show!"
If Dez Cadena tells me to listen to Alice Cooper's radio show, I will abide by that.
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I love these posts of yours, such vivid descriptions and such passion for (real good) music. I wonder, Johann, as a fan of the group as well as other bands that recorded for SST such as Descendents and Minutemen, if I would miss Greg Ginn, his guitar playing in particular, which is to my ears reminiscent of the great Johnny Thunders (RIP).
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Thanks Oscar.
Greg Ginn wasn't even missed. It seems incredible, but Stephen Egerton played the songs exactly like Greg- I couldn't tell the difference.
He played those (iconic) riffs perfectly. (on a CLEAR see-through guitar- an Armstrong guitar like Greg's? I'm not sure...)
I met Chuck & Dez after the show- I was dying to meet Keith Morris but he just vanished after the gigs. He seemed very angry that night, so I don't know if he wanted to meet and greet anyone.
I can honestly say I saw Black Flag Live now. Without Henry and without Greg. As Keith said, these songs require people who know them, who've LIVED them, and these guys definitely LIVED them. If only Henry joined them- it would've been the icing on the cake.
I asked Chuck what inspired him to do this tour and he said "STRAUSS". I said "Johann Strauss??" He said "Yep." and his Father-in-Law, who is apparently in his 90's and dives without a snorkel or tank. I thought that was cool.
I also asked him about Henry Rollins, and how he has no happy memories from his Black Flag days.
Chuck smiled and said "THAT'S A LIE. HE HAS SOME HAPPY MEMORIES".
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Have you heard Johnny Thunders' version of Elvis' "CRAWFISH"? I love that song.
And I also love "I was Born to Cry". There is also a film I've been looking for forever: BORN TO LOSE.
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I don't think I'd heard it before. Just did. Very cool. Who knows when BORN TO LOSE will be available for viewing. The director made another documentary on punk rock titled D.O.A. way back when, which I have seen and would be thrilled to have a chance to see again.
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Yes- I've seen D.O.A. I think it's from 1980 or around abouts. GREAT doc.
And also at NXNE they screened a new documentary film chronicling the Descendents, called FILMAGE: The Story of the Descendents/All.
I couldn't get out to see it. It played only one night. And so did the Rolling Stones film Charlie Is My Darling, which apparently has rare footage from 1965 in Ireland and includes the first professional concert film of the band. I know you are Stones fan, so you might wanna earmark that one.
I still haven't seen WE JAM ECONO either, the doc on the Minutemen.
OR Dave Markey's MY CAREER AS A JERK- the doc on the Circle Jerks.
Dave and Mike Watt are Facebook friends of mine. An Honor to have them as FB friends.
And guess who accepted my friend request two weeks ago?
TONY FUNCHES, the personal security man for Jim Morrison! I was amazed he was on FB. He lives in Denver and always has cool things to say/post.
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Greg Ginn has launched a lawsuit against FLAG (and Henry Rollins) for copyright infringement.
It's amazing. Truly stunning.
Greg says that there may be some "confusion" for consumers, in that FLAG is a facsimile of Black Flag, which Greg says he owns all rights to.
I have an e-mail from Henry himself telling me that Greg has been (in legal speak) "IN BREACH" for years and years for not paying anybody a single royalty on Black Flag merch or SST records sold.
I can't wait to see Greg "GREEDY" Ginn get his ass handed to him. It's been a long time coming.
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I had the incredible once-in-a-lifetime experience to meet John Densmore this past weekend at Sunrise Records.
He was signing copies of his new book The Doors: Unhinged (which is a sobering read on greed).
I waited almost 3 hours to get in to see him, and it was Awesome. He signed my book and my L.A. Woman CD.
I asked him what would be the first thing he'd say to Jim if he walked into the room:
John replied Look at all this chaos you caused!!
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Awesome news: GREG GINN lost his lawsuit against Black Flag.
A judge has ruled that the registration of the Black Flag name/logo by Henry Rollins and Keith Morris was "made in good faith", as the band had neglected to nurture the property rights for almost 30 years.
Greg Ginn cannot stop members of FLAG (Keith, Dez, Chuck, Bill & Stephen) from performing Live.
I love it.
Henry Rollins testified that he never actually quit the band, (which he didn't!), and I hope Greg Ginn can take a loss for once.
He believes he IS Black Flag.
True fans know that that band is as much Chuck's & Henry's as it is Greg's.
Chuck Dukowski, if you wanna get really technical, was the heart and soul of the band.
www.nme.com/news/black-flag/73160
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This Black Flag saga is taking really unpleasant turns. (For me anyway, and probably most die-hard Black Flag fans).
Greg Ginn is about to release the "new" Black Flag album, named What the...?
It boasts the most asinine, childish, ridiculously awful album cover art you have ever seen.
It is seriously cringe-worthy. I'll post an image of that fucked-up cover soon enough- it's on the web now.
28 years after they released the Magnificent IN MY HEAD, comes "WHAT THE...?"
And that title is apt. WTF is Greg Ginn smoking? Drop the horrible shake Greg. Find some Northern Lights or Strawberry Kush.
Your brain is being eaten alive by bad Hermosa beach shake. Was it treated with rat poison? Get some help.
As Henry Rollins said recently:
Some of my peers just don't know when to walk away. Like a true Samurai, I sheathed my sword and walked away. I don't need to be 18 again.
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Lou Reed died yesterday. (1942-2013)
I didn't like his ego or his assholiness, but Holy Fuck could the man play.
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This news stuns me.
I am stunned.
And in a way I am not.
I was going to buy the "new" Black Flag album, as "Exhibit A" but it hasn't come out yet. But it is online.
Next year, maybe?
Ron Reyes.
Another betrayal by Greg Ginn. Weeding Out indeed.
This shit is truly stunning.
http://www.pitchfork.com/news/53155-...es-black-flag/
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Thanks Johann for taking notice of Uncle Lou's passing. I became a fan when Walk on the Wild Side was released in '72 and have followed his amazing career ever since. I am proud to say I have seen him live, with that magnificent group he put together with Bob Quine and bassist Fernando Saunders. The Dean's eulogy can be accessed here:
http://www.spin.com/articles/lou-ree...esucker-blues/
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LOU REED
Hunter S. Thompson said "We must thank Lou Reed for "WALK ON THE WILD SIDE". He had a good day when he wrote that one." (paraphrase)
Henry Rollins wrote a moving tribute to Lou, and what he meant to him (and many around the globe).
Lou was a Genius.
But he was also an asshole. When he heard Jim Morrison died he asked "What did he die of? IN A BATHTUB??? That's greeeat!"
He also treated Mo Tucker (his drummer from the Velvets) like shit.
But the man could play like a house on fire.
Watch David Bowie (as Ziggy Stardust) do "WHITE LIGHT/WHITE HEAT" on youtube. Best V.U. cover ever laid down, Man...
And as for Greg Ginn, this guy is one vicious, nihilistic, cowardly, destructive piece of shit.
Who happens to be a musical genius.
Henry Rollins knew not to go near Greg Ginn ever again. He knew the real M.O.
Poor Ron Reyes. I now see that Greg had planned to "get him back" for publicly quitting the band way back in the day.
Ron fell for it. HOOK. LINE. SINKER.
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I seriously don't know what to do with my Black Flag records now.
My disgust with Greg Ginn is extreme right now.
The music seems like a lie, and yet it isn't....is that fucked up or what? LOL
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Greg Ginn said once upon a time: "Our music is a personal thing. We are not authority figures"
Don't you mean YOUR music is a personal thing Greg?
Every single person who was "in" Black Flag did your bidding until they were "vibed out".
In "SPRAY PAINT THE WALLS" by Stevie Chick (best history of the band to ever see print- yes, better than GET IN THE VAN) it is mentioned that when Chuck Dukowski was "vibed out" the whole scene was shocked, because Chuck was in the "inner-inner-inner" circle of Black Flag.
But there was no "inner circle"- there was only Greg Ginn.
Let me save you a lot of time if you are interested in Black Flag:
Buy the records. Listen to them. A Lot. (because hey, they do sound more and more awesome with each passing year- a Kubrickian quality I love). You've never heard such awesome hardcore punk carnage on tape. OK, maybe the Stooges.
Be fascinated by the "100-Megaton Blast" these dudes from the South Bay unleashed. It is unmatched.
Just know that the man with the lucite Armstrong guitar is not the center of the Universe.
The other players on the records contributed just as much if not more than Greg Ginn.
Granted, without that atonal monster riffage, it's not HEAVY, but Son, let me tell ya, when a man only uses you as a tool for his narcissism and will drop you like a bad habit out of sheer personality deficit disorder, the MAN outweighs the MUSIC. And Greg Ginn is not a man to me.
You will see that if are really paying attention.
Greg has alienated everyone in the punk world.
He's a lone wolf, a user, an abuser, who manouevers in shifty and shady ways, ways that are hard to see until it's too late.
Great that you were "against the man" Greg, but you have BECOME the man.
You always were Big Brotha, weren't you? Who defends you with anything other than "respect for his skills on guitar"?
I haven't met anyone yet. Henry Rollins dealt with Greg appropriately with his RISE ABOVE (WM3 benefit album).
That album is actually the real Black Flag.
And Greg Ginn doesn't play a note on it.
Henry, you are a quick study on dealing with Fuckery.
Love you man. THE END OF SILENCE INDEED...........
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I have read and re-read John Densmore's powerful book THE DOORS: Unhinged and I openly wept reading it.
"He (JIM) was the Soul of the band, and I want to honor my Ancestor" is the quote that sums up the whole sordid saga described in the book.
John Densmore has an integrity that is very hard to maintain in todays world.
Read that book if you want the full skinny on corporate greed, the "greed gene" and how low some people will stoop. (RAY!)
My respect for Ray Manzarek virtually vanished when I read how he's been treating the Doors legacy.
It is stunning what he did, what he did to the Legacy of the band he helped found, and the rape of Jim Morrison he engaged in.
Oliver Stone wasn't even allowed to use the Doors logo for his movie, that's how protective John was over the logo.
He had to sue his former bandmates when they refused to alter the lettering and font of the Doors name for concerts they did as "the Doors of the 21st Century" And he won the lawsuit. Ray tried to destroy John financially, suing him for $40 million for turning down an ad for Cadillac.
Cadillac offered the Doors $15 million to use "Break on Through" to sell those Escalade battleship cars.
John vetoed it, remembering the debacle that was Buick in the sixties, offering $70,000 to use "Light My Fire" to sell the Buick Opel.
Buy that book. Be stunned. And be proud that the drummer of the Doors stood up for his own music and his "ancestor" Jim, who is implacable.
No one else did/does.
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Something really eerie but very cool: When John Densmore signed my copy of his new book I didn't realize that he had signed it almost exactly as I sign my own name. He doesn't know this, (unless he's psychic) but the way he signed my first name is pretty much EXACTLY the way I sign it, if I use only my first name. The "J" was exactly as I do it- the same loop and flourish. And the other letters are the same too. The "N" trails off just like I do as well.
The "J" on his name has the same flourish. Weird, Man...
I was also on the CityTV news broadcast that marked John's appearance at the record store to sign his book.
It was only 1 minute, (and I taped it on VHS off the tube) but I was able to tell that John signed everybody's books differently- each person had a different size of signature or different personalization, and it seemed to stem from his impressions of the person he was signing it to.
There were a lot of non-Doors fans there, just hawkers of Doors merch who will flip it on eBay or whatever.
John knew it too.
In the CityTV clip his reaction to one signing was to "nod and smile" with a look in his eye like "I know you're not a fan...take your stuff"
I always smile when I see that part.
One guy even tried to get me to take some of his items up to John to sign: "I'm overloaded, man!"
I said "NO".
All I had was an L.A. Woman CD and John's book.
I wasn't gonna get a Legend that I respect the Holy Hell out of sign some dipshits' merchandise that he'll sell to the highest bidder....
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Henry Rollins is starring in his first Lead Role, in a film that just wrapped shooting in Toronto: HE NEVER DIED.
It's directed by indie director Jason Krawczyk, and Henry plays a cannibal named "Jack".
I'm pretty stoked to see it. I think Henry is a better actor than most in Hollywood, yet he's only been offered bit parts, most notably to me in David Lynch's Lost Highway.
Can't wait to check it out. I hope you do too.
Support the Man. He's done more in his life than you and me combined.
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I recommend Joey Ramone's "Merry Christmas (I Don't want To Fight)" for this time of year...
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The Black Flag saga is still gaining more fucked up steam.
Their new bassist, a clown named Dave Klein, has left the band. Their new drummer is also a nobody that nobody has ever heard of.
Ron Reyes departure was explained by Mike Valelly, the new singer. He said Ron was becoming combative, and he and Greg wanted to prevent Ron from quitting onstage *again*. RIGHT.
I say bullshit to that. I say that Greg Ginn wanted to get Ron back for quitting publically onstage back in 1979.
Greg Ginn should just pack it in. It's Over Greg. Your Glory Days are long GONE. *pun intended*
No Black Flag fan wants to hear a "new" Black Flag record.
And that's because it isn't Black Flag. It's not even a "reasonable facsimile" of what you once were.
It's a colossal joke, and it's profoundly NOT FUNNY.
Chuck Dukowski is Black Flag to me.
Dez Cadena is Black Flag to me.
Keith Morris is Black Flag to me.
Henry Rollins is Black Flag to me.
Bill Stevenson is Black Flag to me.
Kira Roessler is Black Flag to me.
Any other "members" are not acknowledged to me now- former or current.
AND WHO THE FLYING FUCK IS MIKE VALLELY??????????
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The drummer for THE STOOGES died last Saturday.
Scott Asheton was the PowerHouse man behind the Stooges' drumkit. He was 64.
I had the incredible Honor of seeing The Stooges play Live in Toronto in 2010. It was incredible. They shut down Yonge street- first time in the city's history that a concert shut down Yonge. I'll take that show (among others I saw in T.O.) to the grave. Iggy was amazing and the band was amazing, which included James Williamson and Mike Watt of the Minutemen.
Another Icon of Rock is gone.
Goodbye Scott. Your records tower over everyone else. True punk rock fans know that the Stooges are Invincible.
YOU SEARCHED AND DESTROYED.
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Scott Asheton's favorite quote was from Charles Bukowski:
What matters most is how well you walk through the Fire
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BLACK FLAG play Toronto on June 19th. I will have to make TWO trips to Toronto this year....FFS....
I gotta see WTF Greg Ginn is doing in person. I want to know who the fuck Mike Vallely is. Yeah, he's a "skater", a "tough guy"...big fucking deal.
I know the Art of War. LOL I saw the REAL Black Flag last year. Chuck Dukowski's SuperGroup named FLAG, and there isn't any way that Greg Ginn & Mike V. (ag) can top what I saw at Toronto's Opera House at NXNE. I just need to see Greg Ginn's SuperEGO in person.
Black Flag are also playing Montebello Quebec in June, with, as it happens, Henry Rollins on the same bill!
I'd go to Montebello to rock out to Cypress Hill and the Vandals and other cool groups on that massive line-up but I heard from a friend who went last year that the only way to do Montebello right is to camp out and plan for it NOW. Like, yesterday. The concert is so freaking massive that you have to plan for it months in advance. I'll skip it this time and just go see Black Flag in Toronto. (and the Stanley Kubrick exhibit at TIFF in October).
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Re: Black Flag
The "new" Black Flag record arrived in Ottawa, and I bought it as " Exhibit A" to illustrate the evolution of my favorite band (after The Doors).
WHAT THE... (2013) is SST Records release number 391.
I've listened to it and I was a little surprised and was left asking questions. I'll elaborate soon.
I asked Facebook friend (and punk musician/filmmaker) David Markey what he makes of Black Flag's "resurgence" and Greg Ginn these days.
He replied that Black Flag nor Greg Ginn are worthy of his respect.
The reason I asked David is because he is in a certain qualified position to speak of the band and Greg. He went on tour with Black Flag and Gone, with his band Painted Willie in 1985, and documented the whole thing on Super-8.
It became the highly revered (never-before-released) doc REALITY 86'd.
David tried to release the film as a DVD release, with encouragement from Henry Rollins, who seems to be in favour of the film.
But Greg Ginn put the ki-bosh on that. He threatened to sue David over it, told him to destroy copies he had.
I think the main reason for Greg not wanting the film to be put out is it shows him and others smoking weed and it doesn't show Greg doing much lifting of equipment. From what I could see, Henry Rollins and two other guys were the main "roadies", unloading & loading & setting up the gear .
Greg just seems a little goofy and aloof in it. But I don't know what he's so upset about- his consumption of the cannabis is a modern legend/myth.
If you smoke the ganja then you smoke the ganja. The Hughes Brothers said it's an aid to creativity.
I don't judge. I smoke the shit myself. If it's part of your vida then it's part of your vida.
The music on "WHAT THE..." sounds like Black Flag. No question. It's Greg's guitar. Duh. And believe it or not, I started to really dig a couple songs on this record. Which made me wonder WTF is up with this album? Ron Reyes actually sounds good on vocals. His level of commitment is there. A friend of mine only listens to psychobilly music. He's getting Nazi about it. I played a couple punk CD's at my place the other day and he was like "Punk Sucks. It's just a cliche. It always was a cliche. It has no balls". And I was like, Hey....Punk Sucks? It's a cliche?
Whoa whoa whoa..
Black Flag is no cliche. Dead Kennedys is no cliche. Crass are no cliche. Misfits are no cliche. SO many punk groups aren't a cliche.
Green Day is a cliche. Blink 182 is a cliche. Nickleback is a cliche.
Certain groups are cliches. But certain ones aren't as well. Like Black Flag.
Which brings me back to the "Legacy" of this group that I hold in severely high esteem.
Greg Ginn said recently that the new line-up with Mike Vallely on vocals is the perfect line-up to bring Black Flag into the future.
That makes me think that Greg isn't merely doing this to piss off former members of BF.
He has a vision for the group and always has. The music has a trajectory, and it goes above the heads of every person who was in the band except Greg Ginn. He is the sole survivor, the sole member who went through everything and oversaw everything. He is the most stubborn, complex, stoned musical genius I've ever heard of. He's using a theremin on this new album and it works.
Greg Ginn has caused a lot of heartaches to a lot of people in the punk world. He's not paid royalties to bands or nurtured their catalogs on SST Records, he has not protected the "brand" of Black Flag by suing those who make knock-off merchandise. Greg has a huge ego and a huge inferiority complex. Anyone who treats people the way he does/did is nothing less than paranoid.
If Black Flag means Anarchy as you said in 1980 Greg, then how does Anarchy apply to the band as it is today?
I ask you this as a genuine fan of your music and ethos.
I'm not questioning that it is there, I just want to know how it applies to the band as it is in 2014.
You are embarking on a tour with yet another new bass player and another new drummer with Vallely on vocals.
I hope to see you in Toronto at El Mocambo. The tour is called '"The VICTIMOLOGY" tour, and I'm curious about that name.
Who's the Victims, Greg?
Black Flag?
or the fans?
or is it former bandmates?
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I've been doing more research on the Black Flag saga, and I've learned that Ron Reyes said "Greg threatened my family" with regards to Ron's departure from the band. That's a pretty serious allegation, yet Ron doesn't or didn't elaborate on what it means.
What do you mean Greg "threatened your family", Ron?
Explain this! You should write your own book of your experiences with Black Flag Ron. You seem to have a lot of stories to tell.
Mike Vallely says Ron made it clear many times before the Australian tour that he was leaving the band after the tour.
And that Mike and Greg were merely preventing Ron from quitting onstage again. Apparently Ron said he would book a flight out of Aussie Land ASAP if tensions within the band didn't ease. They took him at his word and did a cowardly pre-emptive strike.
Henry Rollins said that toward the end, Greg told him that he was ruining the band. Henry replied "Why? Because I'm the only one who won't leave?"
And in no uncertain terms Greg said he didn't like Henry. Henry said it made playing Live interesting, knowing that you aren't liked within your own band, but that at least Greg told him to his face.
Greg Ginn's thought processes are mysterious.
I've only really been a Black Flag fan for a little less than a decade and I'm still trying to get a grip on what this band stands for/stood for.
Items like this throw me a curveball:
- Henry singing "Thirsty & Miserable" & "TV Party" on the first record: Henry wasn't a drinker and was never a partier. Yet he's singing about his brother needing" a ride to the liquor store" and "what do they know about partying? Or anything else??" Greg wrote those songs. Henry did his duty and sang 'em. For the Team. How do I place that information?
-"Your Last Affront"- Instrumental track on THE PROCESS OF WEEDING OUT. Who's last affront? Greg! Who has been affronting you so much that you needed to express it on an instrumental album with no lead singer? I think the answer is obvious.
-Raymond Pettibon. (Greg's brother)
Greg is still using the Black Flag name and 4 bars logo- on concert posters and his website and it is on the WHAT THE...(2013) album.
Raymond apparently still has severe rage and contempt for his brother using his artwork for Black Flag. The new album is obviously sporting a cover that Raymond did not create - it was created by Kill City graphics. And rumour has it that Greg is regretting using that album cover idea, as it was Ron Reyes's concept. And Ron and Greg aren't on speaking terms anymore. If Raymond and Greg are not on speaking terms, like most ex-members of Black Flag, what do their parents think about it? I've read that the whole Ginn clan are Geniuses.
I could go on and on with things that don't seem Jake with this band.
I am still fascinated by the group and always will be. Black Flag is my #2 favorite band.
"MY WAR" is the greatest song ever written, as Henry Rollins says. The album cover for their second album is also the greatest album cover art I've ever seen. A puppet head with a boxing glove holding a knife against a blue background. That is the most Incredible album cover I've ever seen. Everytime I look at it I get stoked. MY WAR. YOU SAY. THAT YOU'RE MY FRIEND. BUT YOU'RE ONE OF THEM. I think I'll get a tattoo of that image to go with my 4 bars....
I know I'm alone in the woods discussing this band, as no one here seems to know anything about the group or why they are fascinating.
Maybe someone will join who likes hardcore punk music and we can wax poetic about Black Flag and what it all means.
Maybe it means nothing.
Maybe it means everything.
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After reading more articles on Black Flag, I don't think I will be seeing them in Toronto.
I just read that Ron Reyes told Greg to take the high road on FLAG, the "other" Black Flag, when they found out Flag were going to tour.
He told Greg not to disrespect those guys in public, that it would make them seem like bitter old men.
Greg's reply? "Fuck it. I Am Bitter".
Bitter? About what, Greg?
So if I go to Toronto for a few days (which will cost me much more than the price of your show ticket), I will be seeing a Bitter Old Man?
You just made it a hell of a lot harder to get in your corner, Genius.
Greg also said that he won't let one album give him any hang-ups, referring to his own recently released LP "WHAT THE..."
So how much importance should we place on the new Black Flag, Greg?
I mean shit, you are the Captain of that Mighty Ship. Tell us what your New World Conquering means in 2014! LOL
To make my point even clearer, look at a photo of Black Flag circa 1980- those guys look serious. (Chuck, Dez, Henry, Robo & Greg)
Then look at a current photo (you can see one on the Official Black Flag website) (Mike V, some doofus, some doofus & Greg)
Those 4 guys look like rejects that you can't take seriously. The American Idol version of Black Flag if you will, just like Queen playing with Adam Lambert on vocals- an insanely retarded puke fest of an idea.
Why am I thinking of seeing Black Flag live? I must be nuts. If I did, I think I might become an actual hardcore punk at the show and knock Mike Vallely out. Just climb right up onstage and KO the bitch. Just like 1981! Helicopters circling overhead!! Right Greg G? Suckin' on a Big D?
Thank You Thurston Moore for that one...
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Yes, I think Greg Ginn should learn something about his fans. We're all for avant-garde punk rock. You bet your ass I want wicked-ass experimental punk rock music. That kind of music can lead me behind Lucifer into the Gates of Hell if it's got enough Zeal.
And you provided the zeal in Black Flag, Sir. I give credit where credit is due. You are the engine of the Black Flag sound.
Without you, what is Black Flag. The fans get it. But do you get that it makes zero sense to alienate everyone who ever set foot onstage with you?
It makes no sense. Even if your reasoning is "I want the music to go in another direction...you guys aren't up to par. I have to find musicians who are up to par..." that doesn't wash. Every line-up had it's strengths to me, and I'm sure a lot of Flag fans would agree that the strengths outweigh the weaknesses. When you think about it real hard, who in their right mind would "vibe out" Chuck Dukowski?
Chuck was the heart and the soul of Black Flag, and I know and many fans know that Chuck felt betrayed by Greg.
He felt his life was over when Greg kicked him out of Black Flag. Henry wanted to leave the band, maybe start a new group with Chuck.
But Chuck wanted Henry to have a career- an uncertain fate in a new venture with him might not work as well as the grind and experience of being in, making records with and touring with Black Flag. He told Henry he should stay in Black Flag. And he did. To the end. And the end was the album
In My Head. It was the true Black Flag album, and arguably their best. Such moments of sheer barbaric intensity and honesty....
It would be so awesome to see a Black Flag reunion tour with everyone who was there when the band was in their prime- and guess what kids? They are all still walking this Earth. They are all still alive and well. WTF is the problem here? It's one man. Greg Ginn. He's Bitter. But we don't know what about. He won't write a book on his life as a punk Icon, because, in his own words, "I WAS THERE. I DON'T HAVE TO READ ABOUT IT". OK Greg. Yes you were there. But are you there now? Are you at the very vanguard of music and anarchic thought/action?
Or are you just venting a little rage at people copping to your game? And Black Flag is the perfect umbrella to do it under?
You are bitter and you make your fans bitter. Bob Dylan said "Just because someone likes my music that doesn't mean I owe them anything", and I get that. You don't owe the fans anything, especially with the type of music you make. But to pay for alienation? To read about testimonies from ex-Flag members that do not shed flattering light on you make it hard. And you never address it head-on, in print, in interviews or elsewhere.
Henry Rollins said you were so high sometimes you couldn't even turn your amp on.
That he took a knockout punch from a fan that was intended for you, (onstage!) but you never saw it because you were so wrapped up in your guitar playing you didn't notice the guy from the crowd come up onstage or the punch that knocked him out! Henry said he came to with you waving at him, angrily, to start the next song in the setlist. Do you remember that? Greg?
BLACK FLAG. Kills Bugs Dead.
