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.
In my head
Black Flag Lyrics
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The lyrics of "In My Head" by Black Flag suggest the theme of madness and the inner turmoil of the singer's mind. The song mainly deals with the voices that the singer hears in his head that no one else can see. These voices are a representation of his inner demons and the constant mental chatter that clutters his thoughts.
The repeated line of "In my head" is used to emphasize the notion that the singer's thoughts revolve around these voices and their presence is inescapable. The sense of hopelessness that the singer feels can be traced back to his inability to rid himself of these voices, causing him to want to be "that bullet that goes ripping through [the] skull" of the person causing his suffering.
The lyrics also suggest that the singer is struggling to differentiate between reality and the fables that he hears, which might be the root cause of his insanity. The line "Sometimes fables... are different than mine" hints at this, as it suggests that the singer's interpretation of reality might be warped, leading to him feeling like a stranger even when he is alone.
Overall, the lyrics of "In My Head" showcase the pain and confusion that can result from mental illness, and suggest that while the fight may be difficult, there is always the hope of finding peace.
Line by Line Meaning
I hear voices when no one's around
The singer is experiencing auditory hallucinations in the absence of any external sound or voice.
Silent voices that no one can see
The voices heard are not accompanied by any visible figures, signifying that they are internal and not real.
I hear voices that don't make a sound
The voices are heard internally, but not perceived externally as sound.
The distant calling that calls out to me
The artist is being psychologically pulled towards something, which feels like a calling but is far away.
Feels so nice and hopeless when I'm rotting in your arms
The artist is experiencing a mix of positive and negative emotions when in close proximity to someone else, possibly indicating a toxic or unhealthy relationship.
I want to be that bullet that goes ripping through your skull
The singer is expressing violent and vengeful thoughts towards someone, possibly indicating anger or resentment towards them.
Sometimes fables...Are different than mine
The singer acknowledges that their perception of reality might be different than others, possibly due to their hallucinations or mental state.
They always come over when no one's around strangers... dark
The voices or hallucinations become more prominent and scary when the artist is alone, indicating a fear of the unknown or lack of control.
They crawl in my face and won't leave me alone
The voices or hallucinations feel invasive and persistent, indicating a sense of powerlessness and struggle to cope with them.
I want to be that bullet that goes ripping through your brain
The artist continues to express violent thoughts towards someone, possibly indicating a desire to inflict harm or seek revenge.
I... light I... side of my skull When I... alone
The singer describes a sensation of light or brightness inside their head, possibly linking to their hallucinations or mental state.
Someone was laughing and pointing at me
The artist is experiencing feelings of discomfort or humiliation when being observed by others, possibly indicating insecurity or paranoia.
The bullets are bright it's kept in the dark
The singer describes a paradoxical situation where the source of their pain (the bullets) is illuminated, but the experience itself is hidden or concealed.
...side of my head ...millions of ...shot in the dark
The singer describes a chaotic and overwhelming internal experience, possibly relating to their hallucinations or mental state.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: GREGORY REGIS GINN, HENRY LAWRENCE GARFIELD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind