Last time I saw Black Flag was on 20th December 1981 at Christmas on Earth in Leeds Queens Hall with about eight inches of snow on the ground in the coldest recorded December now known as the big snow. In totally contrast I attended this gig on one of the hottest days on record with one of the same people who was there in 1981.
As we approach Camden Underworld, I spot the familiar face of Ade Preston who many will know from the King Blues and many other bands who is managing this leg of the tour. After a quick chat I enter the venue to see this young line up of Black Flag assembled by guitarist and original member Greg Ginn.
I was intrigued enough to want to see this show and had reserved judgement and steered clear of the mixed views and any video footage bouncing around social media. The First Four years shows are over 2 sets and set 1 kicks off with ‘Can’t Decide’ followed by first Black Flag release ‘Nervous Breakdown’ played at a frenetic pace by these young guns with Ginn, a man of few words, orchestrating the action, letting his guitar do the talking.
The band can play and frontwoman Max Zanelly gives it her all as they fly through the rock and roll influenced ‘No Values’ which would have been a rallying cry back in the day. ‘I’ve Had It’ shows the early Ramones influence which was a trigger for the band forming in 1976. ‘Wasted’ is class as it always was and ‘Black Coffee’ from 1984 album ‘Slip It In’ drives along and many bands now emulate this sound. The playing is intense and none more so than on the wonderful ‘Six Pack’ with its cool build up into a classic full speed punk song which me and my mates loved back in the day. The mosh pit grows with every song with people punching the air and singing along encouraging the mayhem.
Some of these songs are dark and ‘Depression’ from first album ‘Damaged’ is just that. Black Flag have some excellent lyrics and the vibe is powerful on all songs. We are treated to wicked versions of the rocking ‘Forever Time’ from 1984s ‘My War’ album, ‘The Swinging Man’ with crazy rhythm and complex bass lines, and ‘Nothing Left Inside’ which could easily be a slow Black Sabbath song. The first set closes with ‘Fucked Up’ with the crowd in full voice on the chorus.
Set 2 sees some insane drum leads as the band pile into ‘My War’ from the album of the same name – killer track still with crazy rhythm changes. This is closely followed by Six Pack B side ‘I’ve Heard It Before’ which for me was another punk classic. ‘Revenge’ from 1980 EP ‘Jealous Again’ follows and leads into ‘Fix Me’ from their first EP which is short but not sweet and as relevant now as it was when it was written. ‘Clocked In’ is an absolute stormer with in-your-face lyrics with guitar, bass and drums mega tight. Following tracks ‘Room 13’ from their first album is classic early American hardcore punk in Dead Kennedys territory.
This really is a cool show with intensity and some long musical interludes which are quite mesmerising, I’d almost forgotten how good these tunes are. Opening drum beat of ‘Gimmie Gimmie Gimmie’ from ‘Damaged’ keeps the momentum going and is well received with the young guy in front of me jumping around as if he’s been set on fire.
‘Slip It In’ lead track from the same album has a crazy theme and lyrics (not a track Mike Read or DLT might have played back in the day). It is a great musical track that rocks along and the guitar solo and surf guitar lines are sublime. Follower, ‘Jealous Again’ keeps the crowd engaged as we near the end of the show.
They end the set with ‘I Can See You’ a 1989 single who’s riff now seems like a cross between The Skids and the Gang of Four, ‘Rise Above’ from the first album which has the crowd going mad as they bellow out the chorus and an extended version of Louie Louie (originally by the Kingsmen) brings a classic end to the show.
Although they were originally influenced by the Ramones and Stooges there are many other influences in Black Flag songs and at times they are not unlike bands such as black sabbath and other early metal bands. The array of T-shirts from different generations of bands and the range of ages in the audience is testament to the influence Black Flag have had on all generations – including many who weren’t even born when I boarded that train to Leeds in 1981 with the singer in our band who is also in attendance tonight.
The young band played the songs brilliantly alongside Ginn and the new female vocalist did well to put the songs across and probably had the hardest job. I enjoyed the night as others clearly did from the size of the mosh pit and crowd reaction generally. I have to say the drummer and bass player were incredible. I am sure the many Black Flag fans, especially those who have followed them since the early days will have differing views on the new line up especially the fronting of such a hardcore punk band by a female singer. However, we should remember later Black Flag frontman Henry Rollins was a massive Ruts fan. So as Ruts/Ruts DC would say. ‘Give Youth a Chance Man Give Youth a Chance’
The following day I visited All Ages Records just off Camden High Street which is dedicated to punk. If you’re in London I suggest you check out this cool well-established shop. The guys in there had been to the gig and thanks guys for the Dead Kennedys Long Sleeve top and Live at the Deaf Club CD – totally in keeping with the American weekend.
Black Flag had some great graphics and you might want to check out Greg Ginns brothers work, Raymond Pettibon, who was an early band member and did the Black Flag artwork and a whole lot more.
https://www.moma.org/artists/7500-raymond-pettibon
