Black Flag 1984

Black Flag, at the Party Centre (on Church Street in Toronto), December 1984.

I saw the show and interviewed Henry Rollins and Greg Ginn of Black Flag on assignment for Nerve, although I don't think that anything ran. Honestly, I didn't get much and that's likely why there was no published story. But as the band is now legendary, the scraps that I do have are interesting.

I had read Henry Rollins talking about pushing himself to the edge as personal and creative exploration. (It reminded me of Jim Morrison, and I told him so.) We discussed this topic for a couple of minutes but with a few very short answers from him so I gave an example to try to reframe the question.

Chris Buck: I sometimes think that I should take chances more, and use that to persuade myself to do certain things, which I think I should do anyway. I know a guy who will drive in his car when he's drunk and try to avoid the cops picking him just for the sensation of it. To go, "Wow, man, I did it!"

Henry Rollins: I could never get off on anything like that. To me, that's pure stupidity.

What kind of thing are you interested in, then?

Just pushing myself to the point of where thought and actions can become irrational or insane.

To me, getting loaded and driving in a car and avoiding cops or whatever is sheer stupidity and nothing I would want to involve myself in at all, at all.

No, thanks. Some guy's drunk, I am not getting in the car with him. I'm too scared to go more than 100 kilometers an hour. I'm not into automobiles.

I have other ways to push things.

Mind if I ask how?

Yeah.

You do mind?

It's my business.

A year ago, I might've told you, but I don't talk to interview people in that kind of way anymore.

Why not?

Because I got my own life and I don't like it coming out in magazines. So, what's next?

***

There was a rumor that Black Flag may join an R.E.M. tour, opening for them. Greg Ginn said that he was open to these opportunities, and this led to an exchange about his perception of the band and its direction.

Chris Buck: Are you guys looking for a new audience, because your audience seems to be changing from the hardcore crowd to sort of a broad...people who are just interested in good music or whatever.

Greg Ginn: Well, that’s good. We just like to play for people, it really is that simple.

And I think that’s reflected in our music. Our music, to me, doesn't fit into one category. So much of what our music is about is fighting the kind of prejudices that are associated with certain fixed styles of music, and...

Like what?

Like anything. Heavy metal, Jazz.

Music is something that’s very culturally tied. And a lot of people don’t really understand or realize the power of that.

You can play a certain type of rhythm, and that can offend people because that rhythm belongs to somebody else or some other group or some other gang. What we try to do is get into anything that has the substance to it, whether it be called whatever, Heavy Metal, Jazz, Funk. You know, that’s the way our group is: all of the individuals like different types of music.

If I had a band I'd be interested in almost offending my audience...not offending, but like, "Hey, we’re going to play this certain way, and if you don’t like it, well, f**k you." This is how we want to play, and almost enjoy the reactions, you know?

Well, of course. But it’s not just negative reactions, it's positive too.

When I see somebody do something that brings things together, as far as different cultures and stuff, there’s a lot of beauty in that. We don’t see any use for the kind of segregation that goes on, whether it be color or style of music; people only listen to certain styles because that’s what their friends are into, and we’re about fighting all of that.

Top Image: The place was half empty but it was still an incredible show, probably the best that I've ever attended.

Second Image: Greg Ginn poses for my "Rockstars' Footwear" series.

Third Image: I asked Henry Rollins to pose with this Flamingo Dancer painting that hung in the venue and he obliged. I shot one frame.

Fourth Image: Self-made Black Flag mix tape cover.

Bottom Image: Bedroom wall poster, mid-eighties.