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.
Louie Louie
Black Flag Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We've gotta go!
Screwie Louie!
We've gotta go!
You know the pain that's in my heart
It just shows I'm not very smart
Who needs love when you've got a gun?
Who needs love to have any fun?
We've gotta go!
Screwie Louie!
We've gotta go!
The lyrics of Black Flag's song "Louie Louie" are a mixture of nonsensical phrases and a darker message about the pain of love and relationships. The repetition of "We've gotta go" and "Screwie Louie" suggests a desire to leave behind the difficulties and complexities of love, instead turning to violence and aggression symbolized by the mention of a gun. The line "You know the pain that's in my heart" is a poignant moment of acknowledging the hurt and disappointment that can come with love, but the following line "It just shows I'm not very smart" spins it back to a self-deprecating, perhaps even sarcastic tone. The final question of "Who needs love to have any fun?" feels like a resigned surrender to a life without love, or perhaps a defiant rejection of societal expectations of what brings happiness.
Line by Line Meaning
Louie Louie!
Let's go!
We've gotta go!
We need to leave now.
Screwie Louie!
Crazy person Louie!
You know the pain that's in my heart
You understand the emotional turmoil I am feeling.
It just shows I'm not very smart
My actions demonstrate my lack of intelligence.
Who needs love when you've got a gun?
Why bother with love when you have power and control over others through a weapon?
Who needs love to have any fun?
Love is not necessary to enjoy oneself.
Louie Louie!
Let's go!
We've gotta go!
We need to leave now.
Screwie Louie!
Crazy person Louie!
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Richard Berry
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Seth Knight
Louie, Louie!
We gotta go.
I said now Louie, Louie!
We gotta go.
You know the pain, that's in my heart,
it just shows, I'm not very smart.
Who needs love, when you've got a gun?
Who needs love, to have any fun?
I said now Louie, Louie!
We gotta go!
Said, now screwie Louie!
We gotta go.
Louie, Louie!
We gotta go.
I said now Louie, Louie!
We gotta go!
Maryanne Christiano-Mistretta
I heard this in a mall last night! I love this single!
MrrAndMssBearYT
That must’ve been the coolest mall ever…
SL
Greg Ginn and his guitar - never failed to deliver.
Sacha Man
but the riff has been taken way back to the 1960s . wild thing the troggs then jimmy hendrix
infinite numeric
Henry Rollings is probably a amazing black flag vocalist but I have a soft spot for the Dez Cadena stuff.
I’m dead
The best one is obviously Ron reyes
Beowulf
Rollins IMO ruined black flag.
COYS6
Rollins is the best Flag singer. Hahaha
Captain Freedom
Keith Morris tho.
Jack Macauley
You gotta admit that Chuck Dukowski was a good singer on that one song though.