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Black Flag (band)

arts Maturity 11-13 Next article →

Black Flag is a famous American punk rock band. They are known for starting the hardcore punk style. This music is very fast and loud. The band began in 1976 in Hermosa Beach, California. Greg Ginn started the group as a band called Panic. He plays the guitar and writes most of the songs. He is the only person who stayed in the band the whole time.

Black Flag logo
Black Flag logo

Making music was a hard job for the band at first. They struggled to find people to play with them. They often practiced without a bass player for a long time. This helped Greg Ginn create a very unique guitar sound. The band's name and logo came from Greg's brother, Raymond Pettibon. The logo is a simple design with four black bars.

Black Flag logo
Black Flag logo

The band followed a "do-it-yourself" or DIY way of working. This means they did everything on their own without big companies. They could not find many labels to sign them. Because of this, Greg Ginn started his own label called SST Records. They did not just play in clubs. They played at house parties, schools, and even picnics. They also made hundreds of flyers to tell people about their shows.

In 1981, a singer named Henry Rollins joined the band. He was a very intense performer on stage.

Henry Rollins of Black Flag, 1983
Henry Rollins of Black Flag, 1983

He was the longest-lasting singer the band ever had. During this time, they made a famous album called Damaged. The band's music changed as they grew. They began to play longer and more complex songs. They even added sounds from jazz and classical music.

Black Flag 2011-12-18 02
Black Flag 2011-12-18 02

Black Flag changed how people think about music. They showed that you do not need a big company to be successful. They toured a lot in the United States, Canada, and Europe. This helped them find many loyal fans. Even after they stopped playing in 1986, they came back later. They reunited in 2003 and again in 2013. They even released a new album in 2013.

Black Flag - 2019
Black Flag - 2019
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🖼️ Images & Media (6)
File:Henry Rollins of Black Flag, 1983.jpg
Henry Rollins of Black Flag, 1983.jpg
File:Black Flag 2011-12-18 02.JPG
Black Flag 2011-12-18 02.JPG
File:Black Flag - 2019.jpg
Black Flag - 2019.jpg
File:Shephard Fairey Graffiti Henry Rollins.jpg
Shephard Fairey Graffiti Henry Rollins.jpg
File:Black Flag logo.svg
Black Flag logo.svg
File:Black Flag Police Story sticker.jpg
Black Flag Police Story sticker.jpg
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