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.
Hollywood Diary
Black Flag Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He loved her.
He chopped off his left arm.
(The Good One)
And sent it to her with a box of chocolates.
She ate the chocolates and watched T.V.
He blew his brains out, picked them up,
Made breakfast, ate,
And tried again with a renewed vigor
And enthusiasm not seen by many
The lyrics to Black Flag's Hollywood Diary are raw and visceral, providing a glimpse into the madness and desperation of a disillusioned lover. The song opens with the singer expressing his love for a woman, and the lengths he is willing to go to win her affections. In a grotesque display of devotion, he chops off his own arm (the "good one") and sends it to her along with a box of chocolates. Despite this shocking gesture, the woman remains indifferent, choosing instead to eat the chocolates and watch television.
The song then takes an even darker turn, as the singer decides to end his life by blowing his brains out. Yet, he is undeterred by death, literally picking up his severed brains and shoving them back into his skull. The imagery is jarring and unsettling, reflecting the singer's sense of desperation and insanity. Despite his failed attempts, he persists with renewed vigor and enthusiasm, determined to win the love of the woman he is so obsessed with.
Overall, Hollywood Diary represents a dark and disturbing commentary on the destructive nature of love and obsession. Through its graphic imagery and unsettling themes, the song offers a powerful exploration of the human psyche and the lengths we are willing to go to chase our desires.
Line by Line Meaning
He loved her.
He was deeply in love with her.
He chopped off his left arm.
As an expression of his love, he mutilated himself by amputating his own arm.
(The Good One)
He specifically cut off his left arm, which is often considered the weaker arm.
And sent it to her with a box of chocolates.
He sent his amputated arm along with a box of chocolates as a gift to her.
She ate the chocolates and watched T.V.
She showed little care or affection for his gift and simply enjoyed the chocolates while doing something else.
He blew his brains out, picked them up,
He committed suicide by shooting himself in the head, but miraculously survived the attempt.
Shoved them back upside his head,
He put his shattered brains back in his skull, most likely without any medical assistance.
Made breakfast, ate,
He proceeded to have a normal breakfast like nothing had happened, despite just trying to end his own life.
And tried again with a renewed vigor
He was determined to try to kill himself again with even more passion than before.
And enthusiasm not seen by many
His desire to end his own life was fueled by his intense love and despair, something that not many people can understand or relate to.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: HENRY LAWRENCE GARFIELD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind