Black Flag is a hot mess. It’s like the old guys scrapping at the VFW Hall. This makes me sad as they were a huge part of my youth. I got arrested on the way to see them in NYC and hung out with a few members whene they swung through town. It was a glorious time and decades later its a jubled bag of confusion and ego.
This being said the band with vocalist Mike Vallely hit the road and actually make it all the way to the East Coast and better than that all the way to Western Connecticut where I intend to be there amongst the upstarts to see whats new from these geezers. I say this with the utmost respect as I am just a few years younger than them.
Greg Ginn will open up for his own band with his progressive electronic act HOR. Are you scared? I am. Their vocalist is not exactly known for vocals but for skateboarding. Is this Black Flag or The Greg Ginn Review? The kids wont know the difference but us old timers will, and I wonder how the show will go down? As the band rattles out the ‘classics’ without Rollins or Reyes,…how will they be received?
I think most will be happy to say they saw Black Flag. I think others, like my self will be triggered into depression not only because of the age and state of those on stage but because its not the same band at all. Its almost a cover band now- but I’m going to do my best to keep a clear head and appreciate it for what it is- a slice of my youth.
By the way, Mike Vallely, who is actually the group’s manager, said, “I’m excited about performing songs from the entire Black Flag catalog. I feel confident in my ability to communicate the songs — To give them their due respect and yet still make them my own. Ginn’s songwriting is truly timeless and it gives all of the material relevance right here, right now.”
Uh oh.
June 21 – Danbury, CT @ Heirloom Arts
June 22 – Brooklyn, NY @ Europa
