The Black Flag lineup has changed quite a bit over the decades.
Most notably, it no longer includes one of the most iconic singers in punk rock history — the mighty Henry Rollins, who many readers best know these days for his film and television work as well as for his spoken-word performances.
The band also no longer includes Keith Morris, another incredibly iconic punk vocalist.
Yet, the heart and soul of this Hermosa Beach hardcore outfit has always been guitarist-songwriter-founder Greg Ginn. And as long as he’s still in the band then Black Flag will most certainly be worth seeing in concert.
Ginn and company underscored that point during the terrific Black Flag performance at the Punk in the Park festival in Daly City last May. The show — which was held outside in the parking lot of the legendary barn-shaped Cow Palace — was absolutely filled with punk royalty, including the Vandals, Descendents, Adolescents and Dead Kennedys. Yet even among such stiff competition, Black Flag managed to put on the single best set of the day. (The DKs’ set was right up there, though.)
The whole quartet — including vocalist Mike Vallely — sounded terrific as it ran through such cool cuts as “Can’t Decide,” “Rise Above” and a cover of “Louie Louie.” But it was the chance to witness Ginn do his incredible thing on guitar that truly made the Black Flag set so special.
Fans will have the chance to witness plenty of Ginn greatness when Black Flag performs several NorCal shows in January. The band performs Jan. 5 at DNA Lounge in San Francisco, Jan. 11 at the Santa Cruz County Veterans Memorial Building in Santa Cruz, Jan. 12 at the Brentwood Emporium and Jan. 15 at the Mystic Theatre in Petaluma. Visit blackflagband.com for ticket information.