The Brilliant Business of Black Flag 

I remember when My War came out and it caused a real panic with the punks who called them the new led zeppelin lol

I saw Black Flag many times in the early 80's including their last show here in Detroit. Great live band! There will never be a (Punk/Hardcore) scene like that again.

Henry got asked to audition for Black Flag after a show in NYC, not DC

the misfits, the vandals, and black flag? at one show? holy crap, i was born in the wrong decade. i bet that was a phenomenal show.

Saw Black Flag play a headlining show at the Ukrainian Cultural Center on Melrose Blvd. (in the same hood as LACC) on Dec. 10, 1982, with D.O.A., Descendants, & the Minutemen. Dez Cadena was still with them, & Henry Rollins had already started his long hair and short shorts phase (which the crowd did not like). In response to being spit upon, Rollins said, 'Go ahead. I'm going to take a shower after this anyways.' The spitting stopped.

Of all the punk, hardcore, crossover & other punk sub genres out there, Black Flag is my favorite of them all! They’re literally brilliant!

Black Flag was one of my favorites when I was getting into punk in the early 90s. I lived in rural southern WV where there were punk was basically nonexistent so I had to discover bands by word of mouth or mixtapes people gave me. I'd spend the summers ordering records from SST by money order. They still had 1st pressings of some of them & a vinyl LP was $8 I think. Those were the days. LPs cost twice that now...sometimes more.

SST was notorious for not paying artists. Not sure how brilliant that business plan was.

My favorite Black Flag release is My War. I love the combination of hardcore explosive energy and the early proto sludge metal crawls. So many great tunes on that album. I got into Black Flag through a friend. They made me a mix CD and it had the entire Nervous Breakdown EP on it. I have been a fan ever since then. I think their biggest mark on music is making something that’s easily accessible and relatable to so many people. Black Flag as a band is incredibly catchy so naturally, that’s an easy entry point for people who are looking to get into the hardcore punk/punk rock genre of music. As for the relatability piece, it’s more or less capturing the feelings of being pushed around for too long and deciding to fight back. It captures that plus the feelings of being a young person. Not fitting in, society always judging you and all the other stuff that comes with that. Regardless, their impact as a band on society as a whole is incredible. I hope many other people continue to discover their music because it’s just really important now more than ever I believe.

RAY PETTIBONE is a real artist, love all of his work, my favorite is FAMILY MAN cover, sick stuff

Love the channel. Reagan Youth and Rudimentary Peni vids would be awesome. Maybe Leftover Crack and that whole C-squat scene too.

THANK YOU FOR MAKING THiS!!!! Ive recently been completely obsessed with black flag and brains lately and its great to have more insight into this amazing band

I was fortunate enough to see Black Flag with all four singers live and visited the Church. It started with the Concerts in the Park show a few days after my birthday and also included the Santa Monica Civic and Fleetwood shows among others. I always found the rigid definitions and ideas about selling out attached to punk to be kind of sad because part of the idea behind the hardcore scene was to create your own music and be true to yourself.

For those who want to a full deep dive down the Black Flag/SST Records rabbit hole, first read Jim Ruland's amazing book on SST Records that came out over a year ago. (He also wrote books on Keith Morris and Bad Religion, and a super nice guy on top of it all). It both covers the history of Black Flag, but goes into great detail about the rise and eventual fall of SST. Then, the real rabbit hole is the "You Don't Know Mojack" podcast, where two Canadian music nerds named Brant and Ryan discuss each SST release in order, one by one, starting with Nervous Breakdown. They conduct interviews with dozens and dozens of musicians who put out albums on SST, including Bill Stevenson, Kira, Chuck Dukowski, Dez Cadena and so many more. They're currently 250 episodes into the endeavor. I know a lot of people wrote off SST Records after the mid 80s, but a lot of the overlooked and obscure stuff they put out in the second of the 80s is outstanding, or at the very least, unique. My biggest complaint about Greg Ginn is how he has squandered SST, just putting out crappy repressings of a few SST titles without any care put into it. Moreover, he owes bands a lot of money. The worst part is that he also has let a lot of those titles go out of print and refuses to turn the masters back over to the artists so they can at least reissue it on their own terms. I appreciate Ginn's willingness to document and release stuff from truly weird bands, but he's done a disservice by not honoring SST's unique place in music history by letting the back catalog essentially rot. The Mojack podcast definitely provides some insight into how some of the artists from back then feel about SST (both good and bad). There's also hopefully going to be another SST related book by Abe Gibson who apparently talked to each and every band that ever released albums on the label and no doubt will add more color to this part of punk rock history.

I have to say that my favorite Black Flag album was Jealous Again. Never really a huge Henry fan. And I was lucky enough to see Flag at PRB a few years ago. So good.

Your Black Flag tattoo is wild, with the other band logos, I would've never thought to do that.

I'm pretty new to punk and saw em live this April. had an absolute blast. Got a pic with the vocalist Mike Vallely and a guitar pick, too! They played my favourite song Black Coffee which made me super happy,

"Swinging on that flag like a punk rock Tarzan" Keith Morris

"Damaged" still remains a stone-cold classic. "Rise Above" is hardcore at its' best. Only Bad Brains matched Black Flag for sheer intensity. The brutal "Police Story" shows things haven't changed much in 42 years. As for "TV Party", fast and very funny indeed. Iggy played it on his radio show and was laughing his head off throughout the track. The best tribute of all.

Flipper was doing the slow, sludgy punk rock thing at least a few years before My War LP. Also there were other DIY punk labels prior to SST - Discord Records probably being the most prominent. BF 100% made an impact but I would say they were part of a collective shift in music from that period. Definitely at the forefront but not solely responsible for the grunge sound that came later on. Too many other influences.

I love how the minute men look like their all working at a farm stand in Vermont and are a hippie jam band which in all fairness they kinda are.

Left out Chuck Biscuits brief stint during the 1982 tour - first BF show I saw. Saw him play with the Circle Jerks a year later. Love the video with Dez giving that ditz chick a swift kick in the ass off the stage :D Saw Johnny Ramone do the exact same thing with another floozy on stage

Damaged was the first Hardcore album I heard. Changed my life.

This video is very well done. The most influential album is definitely damaged. You really tied it all together.

Undeniable one of the best logos ever - and so simple

Solid video and extra detail on SST and BF. This brought back some good memories.

Nothing tops the takes with Keith Morris on vocals.

Weird timing on this video. I just cut my Harley luggage rack into the bar logo. Great video as always my dude!

I saw FLAG when they were touring the East Coast. It was awesome, and I got to meet Keith and Dez.

I spent a year on guitar in Scott Reynolds's post All project the 'Steaming Beast', got to play a couple shows with some of these folks-and Greg came to a few of our shows here in Austin. One thing I can certainly attest to is his open mindedness and iconoclastic refusal to bow to any trends or images other than his own that he self-creates as he evolves. It surprised me to learn of his affinity for the Grateful Dead and some more outre forms of free jazz-he had one project going on in sort of beginning stages called "Jambang", involving music improvised along with some pre-recorded sounds set to and including video of these little mechanical robots-this was just before that odd period where there were two versions of reunion Flag tours going on-i think about ten or twelve years ago.

Saw decline in 1982 at the midnight movie theater, got jealous again weeks later, one of my favorite eps. Then got damaged, but I got it all went black, I was amazed of the back catalog they had at that time!

Great, great video! I’d love to see one of these styled videos on Crass. I think there’s more than enough history to make one. Cheers friend!

I played the San Francisco punk scene in that era. Flag was my favorite

Excellent… Thank you… I got into punk about the time Black Flag was winding down… and although they were and are one of my favorite bands... I never had the pleasure of seeing them live… but I have seen Henry many times!

Possibly your best video yet. Really well organized, and it kept a good pace the whole time. Please do the SST video too.

When you think of hardcore punk rock, the first band you should think about is Black Flag! I have seen them play many times since 1979. The Black Flag Bars are and iconic symbol of punk rock!

You are incredibly qualified btw! I always learn something new from your videos. Can't say I'm a fan of modern "Black Flag" though- My favorite eras are Reyes, Dez, and Rollins...keith morris is always going to feel like Circle Jerks to me

My first tattoo was the Black Flag bars when me and a friend had em done by another homie stick and poke style on the dirty floor of an abandoned apartment blitzed asl at 3am or so at the tender age of 13 lol Keith absolutely put his mark on it but Dez, Ron, and Henry's vocals and Henry's stage presence, the relentless DIT touring, the experimental guitar parts that ya can hear early on and showed up in other bands like Toxic Narcotic later on, going independent and then putting on other bands, and Raymond Pettibon's amazing art, etc, all laid the groundwork for sooo many band and genres/subgenres and set the bar HIGH. It'd be impossible to really calculate their impact and the ways that they left their mark, but it's probably more significant than any other single band I can think of.

Another well done video by The Punk Historian. I’d love to see something done on. Less Than Jake

SST made ham radio tuners, not AM. Big difference

The first indie band to get in a van and tour DIY. I’ve been a huge fan since 1984…I’m not sure about rollins but he did cool stuff with Black Flag. I prefer the earlier stuff doe.

OMG!!!! I can't even finish this video without being stoked as hell for it!!!! My ABSOLUTE favorite band ever!!!!!

They got their name from the bug spray. That’s why Keith morris’ current band is called OFF! (Another bug spray)

“Black Flag walked so Acid Bath and Tad could run.” Fuck yes.

My first punk show was Black Flag with Gone and Painted Willie. It was at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Gainesville, FL on January 28, 1986. The shuttle Challenger had exploded earlier in the day while I was at the ATM getting money for my ticket. I still have my shirt from that show as well as an autographed copy of Henry's poems.

the 7" EP was issued at the venue, a DIY rendition of Louie Louie which would prove ironically quite the not so friendly endeavor

If you have to pick one album to represent Black Flag, it would have to be Damaged, But I have a huge spot in my heart for My War.

About Raymond: He also designed the legendary cover for Sonic Youth's "Goo".

I've got the original flyer from BLACK FLAG's second to last show at the Nectarine Ballroom in Ann Arbor. The next night was their last show at the Greystone in Detroit. My mom wouldn't let me go to the Nectarine Show because it is a bar she used to drink at. I saw the EXPLOITED there in 1987 though.

Loving what you are doing mate, how about 1st gen british female fronted punk bands- Penetration, Raincoats, Slits, ( Banshees been done to death), but more importantly , X Ray Spex! Xxx

Love the Sloppy Seconds shirt. Saw them (and Black Flag) many times.

Very informative, well done. I know it was a short stint, but my favorite was Keith Morris. I always thought Rollins was more of a metal guy.

Just saw them a few months ago with Mike Valley on vocals. Mike killed it. if you know skate history, you know Mike.

To me one of the greatest punk band's of all time by the way I'm 53 and from England and more into oi! Music been a Skinhead since 1983 friggin love Black Flag though.

NIce vid! I agree with you here; despite loving BF's music I think their DYI ethic is their more vast influence (transcending geners of music and influencing artists that probably never heard a BF record). It was as important as a political revolution! They created an underground nation.

I bought the early photographs book of black flag when they were panic. Two years ago. It's really Interesting. Though I believe it quickly went out of print.

Wow, this is such a great video. Good job on it.

Wonderful retrospective Jack, as always! I love most eras of Black Flag...I'd be hard pressed to pick a favorite record. P.S.....Sloppy Seconds is one of my favorite bands of all time and I can't seem to find any good shirts or patches. Any way you could point me in the direction of where I can get that shirt, or other cool Sloppy Seconds shirts or patches? Thanks again...and keep doing what you are doing..it's important.

have seen Black Flag 9 or 10 times. They were awesome.

Man this was so well done. I enjoyed the hell outta it! Thanks for making this

I still have “everything went black” on cassette. I’ve held on to it for over 30 years. SST records….. Lawndale CA

Awesome Sloppy Seconds shirt. I have a few from a show that I saw them in 2017 Remember the Punk festival.

Thanks man, I dig your vids.

Just saw the part with your leg tattoo- love the bars with Hot Water Music, Alkaline Trio, and Strike Anywhere/Iron Front logos! Is the other one from Smashing Pumpkins art-Bullet with Butterfly Wings?

''What's my position for people who don't like Sloppy Seconds? Pain.'' Nice shirt...

Regarding early US touring , don't forget to mention DOA, who had pulled of national US tours prior to Black Flag.

The Buzzcocks released their Spiral Scratch EP on their own label in January 1977, and the Saints in the spring/summer of 1976 released their Stranded single on their own label, the Misfits in 77 with their Blank label which became Plan 9.

Great job with this documentary.

The foundation of any alt/extreme genre after 1984, Sludge, post-HC, Stoner, Grunge, you name it, and all the good stuff basically comes down to that beutiful collision between Black Flag and Black Sabbath (think Kyuss). SST was the blueprint for indie labels and Ginn's work ethos is still relevant today.

The Process of Weeding Out is really the only BF record that holds up over time. The best thing about the rest of their catalog is the Pettibon artwork. Huge props to them for setting up the DIY blueprint, but musically they were average, especially in comparison to bands like the Minutemen and the Screamers and Bad Brains and Die Kreuzen and on and on.

1980 Ron Reyes is OG singer. I grew up in Downey California as the only Mexicano I loved the song white minority. I was a Mexicano surfer punk. Frank Martinez Downey California ❤❤❤

Blimey, Six pack was released in 81? God I'm old.

Great work. Thanks for the video.

Grew up with Brian migdolls daughter hollie found out like 20 years ago in high school that I knew a legend

Nevermind a leg tatt of the bars I got it on my inner left wrist. Man that stung

Anyone else remember the scene from Freaks and Geeks where Daniel Desario is listening to "Rise Above" in his bedroom?

I saw Black Flag In NYC in 1984. The "Slip it In Tour". Shout out to Kira on Bass! She was a killer player! If you think about it, She has to be one of the most famous and first female players in a Punk band.

Love your videos, keep it up! Can you use a mic when it cuts to you in your room?

Would you please do one on tsol also?.... This was really good btw!

_Armageddon Man_ off Family Man is worth listening to again - it's pretty fucking amazing, loose and unhinged, punk rock Coltrane.

Sloppy Seconds shirt 🤘🤘 My boss had them signed to his label lol.

I actually didn't discover them until I was 15 because the internet wasn't as developed as much as it is today. I am 41 now. I had a shirt of theirs with the bars that ended up getting ripped in half by my younger brother

6:24 fun fact, one other such LA-based band named Panic was one that included Dave Mustaine before he joined Metallica.

Black flag definitely paved the way because MCA later signed the Damned. And their early UK shows left a big impression because Black flag became big over here

Flag was so much more black flag than that weird reunion was

Funny thing is that rise above What's the first song I ever heard by Black Flag

Nice job covering the Flag…

Another superb video ❤

I'm England punk was according to some from England to me no it come from CBGB'S New York sound where Malcolm McLaren found it.

RIP Spot!! 💜

You should make Sunny in Philadelphia again. I loved that show.

This is a fantastic video history of Black Flag! Disappointed in one thing, though. At 27:48 you said, _"but instead of dissecting all the 'where are they now' drama."_ What about Black Flag in 2023 still being together & touring like crazy the last few years? I've seen them 5 times in 3 years! I don't care about the lawsuit, the bickering, the drama. What matters to me are the songs, the music, and the live performance. Saw Black Flag 2 nights ago in Houston. Sold out, as were their Dallas, Austin and El Paso shows months ago. They'll be playing Dallas _again_ in three weeks! Yes, Greg Ginn is the only original member. Mike Vallely isn't as good as the former vocalists, _but he's still damn good!_ This is a different magic than Black Flag in the 80s. It's those incredible, famous songs played & sung to perfection, senior citizen mosh pits & a big sing along of gray-haired punks! I hear insults & people making fun of the current Black Flag. Why? They kick ass on stage! Greg looks healthy & still plays like a man possessed. As far as Greg Ginn, _that's_ "where are they now!" Also still together are; GBH, DRI, AOD, Circle Jerks, FEAR, _original_ Misfits,X, Black Flag, 7 Seconds, Negative Approach, Murphys Law, Queers, Agnostic Front, MDC, Dead Boys, Sick Of It All, Cro Mags & more I've LOVED seeing the last few years!

Regarding post Rollins Black Flag... perhaps that is better left for a follow up episode with a bit more historical research, but you should have mentioned the hindenburgeseque Benefits for Cats reunion at the Hollywood Palladium in which Mike Vallely was involved. Also since you are talking about brilliant business you need to mention that Greg Ginn sued Flag in an attempt to keep them from touring and did loose and injunction. And don't forget to mention Good For You and how Ron Reyes was treated at the end of second run as well , assuming you get into the history of the Vallely era which arguably the version that will play to the most fans assuming the keep touring as they do.

Spot also produced The Big Boys RIP

That artwork at 9:42 of "rowdy punk rockers" is taken from my old band's 7". The 7" is a split between Eyes Of Hate and Common Enemy and was called "Circle Pit Split". However, that spot that says "No Fighting, No Wrestling, 100% moshing" was NOT on the front cover which makes me think that this uploader didn't steal our artwork but rather someone else stole it for a show flyer and then this uploader took it from that. I wonder where else its being used. I don't mind people using it but I wish people would shout out AL (R.i.P.) from Eyes Of Hate as well as Travis Renick who drew the original.

You left out the part where Greg Ginn has a long history of withholding payments due to bands, musicians, and even his own brother. Pettibon has never made a dime from this stuff.

NOFX stared in 1983 but I get what you mean. They were eating more off of the punk movement than Black Flag members. The Offspring started in the early 80's too.

Bomp was also a magazine. Indy labels were a plenty by Jan 1979 Stiff Records : Damned - New Rose UK 1976 What? Records : Germs - Forming"/"Sexboy LA 1977 Dangerhouse Records : Avenger - We Are the One LA 1977 Slash Records : Germs Lexicon Devil 7-inch EP LA 1978 PLUS Small Wonder Records UK & Rough Trade Records UK ect.

Damaged was the punk Dark Side of the Moon...lots of dope in both. Cool to lear how SST was named. Chavo Pederast was defamed... What if Dez and Greg had brought in a third guitarist? The punk Lynyrd Skynyrd that could have been...

Process of Weeding Out was a 12". You seem to write of the instrumentals they were heavy ala John Coltrane more the Jerry Garcia. Also you should have mentioned the October Faction which included Ginn and Dukowski as well as guitarist Joe Baiza doing impovised music which was completly unheard of in the strickly regimented hardcore punk rock scene of the time.