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.
Fix Me
Black Flag Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Someday I won't have a brain
They'll take away the part that hurts and let the rest remain
Fix me
Fix my head
Fix me please, I don't want to be dead Someday
Someday I won't listen to you bitch I'll turn up the volume
And you can hear all the shit we play just for you
Fix me
Fix my head
Fix me please, I don't want to be dead
Someday I'll feel no pain
Someday I won't have a brain
They'll take away the part that hurts and let the rest remain
Fix me
Fix my head
Fix me please
I don't want to be dead Fix it!
The lyrics of Black Flag's song Fix Me seem to express a desire to escape from the pain, the limitations, and the frustrations of life. The singer dreams of a day when he will feel no pain and will have no brain, implying that the source of his suffering is in his head. He wishes that someone would "fix" him, meaning remove or heal the part of his brain that causes him pain, and thus preserve the rest of him. This, however, can be interpreted as a figurative expression of addiction, where pain and frustration push the individual to find a release or a cure, and only then they can truly feel alive.
The second verse of the song is more defiant and rebellious in tone, as the singer imagines a time when he will have all the money he needs and won't have to listen to the complaints of others. He would rather turn up the volume and play for them a kind of music that they don't want to hear, possibly indicating a desire to rebel against society's expectations and norms.
The chorus, with its repeated plea to "fix me," sounds like a cry of desperation from a person who feels trapped and helpless in their situation. The song's energy and intensity convey a sense of urgency and frustration, which could be interpreted as a reflection of the punk ethos of rejecting conformity and demanding freedom.
Line by Line Meaning
Someday I'll feel no pain
One day, the pain that I experience will cease to exist
Someday I won't have a brain
In the future, I won't have to deal with the endless thoughts and feelings in my head
They'll take away the part that hurts and let the rest remain
Those in charge will remove the parts causing me pain and leave the rest of me intact
Fix me
Please repair me, make me better
Fix my head
Fix the mental anguish and troubles in my mind
Fix me please, I don't want to be dead
Please help me, I want to continue living
We'll all be rich
One day, we will all be wealthy
Someday I won't listen to you bitch
In the future, I won't tolerate listening to your complaints
I'll turn up the volume
I will increase the volume to drown out the noise and bother
And you can hear all the shit we play just for you
You will hear the terrible music we play just to irritate you
Fix it!
Repair it now!
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: GREGORY REGIS GINN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind