Keith Morris was their original lead singer. He left the band suddenly in 1979 to form the well-known band, Circle Jerks. Ron Reyes was the second singer for the band, but decided to leave the band not too long after. Dez Cadena would be their next singer, but switched to second guitar when they found fourth and final singer Henry Rollins in Washington D.C. in 1981.
While Black Flag were - and remain - very respected among their underground culture, their music has not been the stylistic model one might expect, in spite of their formidable reputation. Rather, their influence was seen primarily in their tireless promotion of a self-controlled DIY aesthetic. They're often regarded as pioneers in the movement of underground do-it-yourself record labels that flourished among the 1980s' punk rock bands.
Over the course of the 1980s, Black Flag's sound, as well as their notoriety, evolved in ways that alienated much of their early punk audience. They were part of the first wave of American West Coast punk rock, are considered a key influence on Punk culture band, and are especially important in the creation of hardcore punk. Their later sound, however, was often reminiscent of proto-heavy metal bands such as Black Sabbath.
The band broke up in August 1986, when Greg Ginn decided to quit.
Through seemingly-constant touring throughout the USA and Canada, and occasionally Europe, Black Flag established an extremely dedicated fan base. Many other musicians would follow Black Flag's lead and book their own tours, utilizing a word-of-mouth, grass-roots network.
On January 25, 2013, it was announced that guitarist Greg Ginn and vocalist Ron Reyes would reform Black Flag, joined by Gregory Moore on drums, and 'Dale Nixon' on bass (Dale Nixon is a pseudonym sometimes used by Ginn, most prominently as the bassist on My War). The band will tour as well as release a new album, their first since 1985's In My Head. In March of that year, it was announced that Screeching Weasel bassist Dave Klein joined the band. On May 2, 2013, the band released a new song entitled "Down in the Dirt" through their website.
Around the same time, it was announced that the lineup that played at GV 30, Morris, Dukowski, Stevenson and Egerton, would tour performing Black Flag songs, under the name FLAG. It was later announced that the lineup would be joined by Dez Cadena.
Family Man
Black Flag Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Family man
You get the family man
Family man
Family man
With your glances my way, takin' no chance on the new day
Your little sand castle built, smilin' through your guilt, family man
Here I come
Here I come family man
I come to infect; I come to rape your women;
I come to take your children into the street;
I come for YOU family man, with your Christmas lights already up,
Your such a man when your puttin' up your Christmas lights,
First on the block;
Family man
I want to crucify you to your front door with the nails
From your well stocked garage family man;
Family man
Family man
Saint dad! father on fire! I've come to incinerate you
I've come home
Black Flag's song "Family Man" tells the story of a man who perfectly fits the mold of society's expectations. He is the "family man" with his life all planned out and a neat little sandcastle built. He is someone who appears to have everything under control, smiling through the guilt of his conformist lifestyle. However, the singer of the song is not impressed with this man's way of life. He is the "swingin' man," and he has come to infect, rape women, take children into the street, and crucify the "family man" to his front door with nails from his well-stocked garage.
The song is a commentary on societal expectations and the pressure to conform to the norms of a suburban lifestyle. Black Flag is criticizing those who get stuck in a cycle of conformity and don't question whether this is how they really want to live their lives. The contrast between the "family man" and the "swingin' man" highlights the tension between societal expectations and individual desires. The singer of the song is clearly rejecting the former and embracing the latter, even if it means being seen as a dangerous outsider.
From an analytical standpoint, the repetition of the phrase "Family man" serves to evoke a sense of monotony and predictability, which is exactly what the song is rebelling against. The song is known for its catchy chorus and driving guitar riffs, and it has become a punk rock classic over the years.
Line by Line Meaning
Do you want the family man or do you want the swingin' man?
Do you desire a settled, domesticated man or a carefree, player-type man?
You get the family man
You have chosen the settled man
Family man
Addressing the chosen man, a family-oriented individual
With your glances my way, takin' no chance on the new day
You are cautious, with no interest in trying something new or exciting
Family man, with your life all planned;
As a family man, you have a predetermined life plan
Your little sand castle built, smilin' through your guilt, family man
Your life may seem perfect but there are underlying feelings of guilt and dissatisfaction
Here I come
The singer is now approaching the family man
Here I come family man
The artist is addressing the family man specifically
I come to infect; I come to rape your women;
The artist has malicious intentions towards the family man and his loved ones
I come to take your children into the street;
The artist has intentions of causing chaos and harm
I come for YOU family man, with your Christmas lights already up,
The singer is targeting the family man specifically and is aware of his daily routines
Your such a man when your puttin' up your Christmas lights, first on the block;
The family man takes pride in being the first on the block to put up Christmas lights
Family man, I want to crucify you to your front door with the nails from your well stocked garage family man;
The singer has violent intentions towards the family man and wants to use his own tools against him
Family man
Reiterating the previous address towards the chosen man and his lifestyle
Saint dad! father on fire! I've come to incinerate you
The singer is mocking the family man and his role as a father figure
I've come home
The artist has arrived at the family man's residence
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind