#21 ·
Looks like there are still some of us here who dig this band, so let's go—hope I'm not repeating an old thread.
I’ve been spinning them since the eighties when some guy who served in the military taped a live set for me. Honestly, this band is one of the most important ever; they might be underground, but you can hear their influence all over modern music. They were pioneers of the Hardcore sound, and easily the rawest, toughest of the early American scene. Once Greg Ginn started developing that unique guitar style, they basically laid the groundwork for tons of genres—even modern stuff owes them a huge debt. Plenty of musicians who eventually hit the mainstream rock scene cite them as idols, too. Most importantly, they always sounded like themselves. Great lyrics, too—none of that preaching or moralizing bullshit, just real feelings to the max. That early Hardcore phase is killer, though personally, Damaged isn't as intense for me; feels more like a bridge to my War, which is hands down my favorite. I could write a book about that album, heh, but whatever. I'd also mention Loos Nut—further from those Hardcore roots, sure, but still convincing. Slip It In and In My Head are solid, even if they aren't quite as aggressive, and Family Man might be a bit much for my taste.
If I had to pick one band that pushed that specific playing style as far as Black Flag did, it’s gotta be Bl'ast! Also out of eighties California, staying true to the Greg Ginn school of thought, but strictly for people who actually appreciate that unique, standalone style. To me, the Henry Rollins Band wasn't that heavy—Greg kept playing his way, obviously, but that magic Black Flag had for those in the know? Unrepeatable.
etc.
I’ve been spinning them since the eighties when some guy who served in the military taped a live set for me. Honestly, this band is one of the most important ever; they might be underground, but you can hear their influence all over modern music. They were pioneers of the Hardcore sound, and easily the rawest, toughest of the early American scene. Once Greg Ginn started developing that unique guitar style, they basically laid the groundwork for tons of genres—even modern stuff owes them a huge debt. Plenty of musicians who eventually hit the mainstream rock scene cite them as idols, too. Most importantly, they always sounded like themselves. Great lyrics, too—none of that preaching or moralizing bullshit, just real feelings to the max. That early Hardcore phase is killer, though personally, Damaged isn't as intense for me; feels more like a bridge to my War, which is hands down my favorite. I could write a book about that album, heh, but whatever. I'd also mention Loos Nut—further from those Hardcore roots, sure, but still convincing. Slip It In and In My Head are solid, even if they aren't quite as aggressive, and Family Man might be a bit much for my taste.
If I had to pick one band that pushed that specific playing style as far as Black Flag did, it’s gotta be Bl'ast! Also out of eighties California, staying true to the Greg Ginn school of thought, but strictly for people who actually appreciate that unique, standalone style. To me, the Henry Rollins Band wasn't that heavy—Greg kept playing his way, obviously, but that magic Black Flag had for those in the know? Unrepeatable.
etc.