Black Flag Reunite for Album, Live Dates
Black Flag founder Greg Ginn has re-formed a version of the iconic hardcore group for a new album and a handful of live shows. He’s not the only one: former Black Flag members Keith Morris, Chuck Dukowski and Bill Stevenson are also touring, as Flag, with Descendents member Stephen Egerton.
Ginn’s band, according to a statement, is “putting finishing touches on a new album” with singer Ron Reyes, drummer Gregory Moore and bassist Dale Nixon, a pseudonym for Ginn. It’s unclear who will play bass when the band performs live. Gigs so far include headline slots May 18th at the Ruhrpott Rodeo in Germany; August 4th at Hevy Fest in the U.K.; and August 31st at the Muddy Roots Music Festival in Tennessee.
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Morris’ band is scheduled to perform April 26th at the Monster Bash in Munich, Germany. The singer also fronts Off! with Burning Brides frontman Dimitri Coats, Redd Kross bassist Steven Shane McDonald and Hot Snakes drummer Mario Rubalcaba.
Black Flag included more than a dozen members, including four singers, during a 10-year run between 1976-86, with Ginn being the only constant member. Morris was the group’s original vocalist, followed by Reyes, Dez Cadena and Henry Rollins, who isn’t involved in any of this year’s Black Flag-related activities.
Apart from a brief reunion for three shows in 2003, Ginn’s revival of the Black Flag lineup marks the band’s first new activity since the mid-Eighties: a new album would be Black Flag’s first collection of all-new material since 1985’s In My Head.
There has been no word yet if Morris’ Flag is recording or planning an album. Both bands plan to play additional shows in the U.S. and abroad.