Black Flag was an American punk rock band formed in 1976 in Hermosa Beach, California. The band was active until 1986, releasing seven studio albums and two live albums. Black Flag is widely considered to be one of the first and most influential bands of the punk rock movement. They were also known for their unique and often controversial lyrics, which often dealt with issues such as mental illness, drug use, unemployment, and alienation. The band’s musical style was heavily influenced by their hardcore punk roots, and their sound has been described as a mix of “sludge, speed, and aggression.” Throughout their career, Black Flag developed a unique and instantly recognizable sound that would influence countless bands in the years to come.
| Name | Henry Rollins |
| Date of Birth | February 13, 1961 |
| Instrument | Vocals |
| Genre | Punk Rock |
| Years Active | 1981–1986 |
10 Best Black Flag Quotes
1.
“When Black Flag started, we were just hardcore kids. We wanted to make a scene that wasn’t like the metal scene or any other scene. We wanted to make something new”
– Keith Morris, from Rolling Stone
2.
“It was a primal scream, a primal scream of freedom”
– Dez Cadena, from NME
3.
“We were just trying to find our own place in the world, and punk rock was our way of doing it”
– Henry Rollins, from Rolling Stone
4.
“We were trying to make a scene that didn’t exist in our area, something that was more raw and more honest, something that had more to do with our lives than what we heard on the radio”
– Greg Ginn, from Rolling Stone
5.
“It was a mindset, a way of looking at the world. We were trying to create something that was our own, something that was real”
– Chuck Dukowski, from NME
6.
“We wanted to be able to express ourselves in a way that was honest and true to our own experience”
– Bill Stevenson, from Rolling Stone
7.
“We were playing music that was inspired by what we saw and felt in our lives, and that was our way of connecting with the world”
– Kira Roessler, from Rolling Stone
8.
“We wanted to create something that was ours, something that was real, something that was honest and true to our own experiences”
– Chuck Dukowski, from NME
9.
“We wanted to make music that was liberating, something that was raw and real, and something that would reflect our lives”
– Keith Morris, from Rolling Stone
10.
“We wanted to create something that was our own, something that was real and true to our own experiences”
– Henry Rollins, from NME
8 Inspirational Black Flag Quotes
“We were making noise and it was an expression of our angst.”
– Henry Rollins, from Rolling Stone
“We wanted to do something that had never been done before and nobody was doing. We wanted to make a statement.”
– Gregg Ginn, from NPR
“It was an emotional rollercoaster, I was part of it, and I was gonna get off it when I wanted to.”
– Ron Reyes, from Vice
“Black Flag’s music was a reflection of our lives, and I wrote the lyrics to reflect my life.”
– Henry Rollins, from Rolling Stone
“We wanted to make music that was as aggressive and powerful as possible.”
– Chuck Dukowski, from Spin
“I wanted to be in a band that was doing something that mattered, that had some kind of social relevance.”
– Kira Roessler, from Spin
“We were trying to make music that was revolutionary and would break down walls.”
– Dez Cadena, from NPR
“The whole point was to make something that was raw, that was real, that was intense, that was true.”
– Kira Roessler, from Spin
7 Famous Black Flag Quotes
“We weren’t trying to be popular – we were trying to be ourselves.”
– Henry Rollins, from Rolling Stone
“We were four different personalities, and I think that had a lot to do with the success of the band.”
– Greg Ginn, from YouTube
“We tried to make it as accessible as we could, but still make it have a lot of energy.”
– Chuck Dukowski, from Rolling Stone
“We weren’t trying to get messages across, we were just trying to play whatever was going on in our heads.”
– Keith Morris, from The Vinyl Factory
“I was more of a dictator and I think that was good for the band.”
– Greg Ginn, from YouTube
“We tried to be as much of a complete package as we could be.”
– Chuck Dukowski, from Rolling Stone
“We didn’t have a big agenda, but we had a lot of energy.”
– Henry Rollins, from YouTube
7 Black Flag Quotes About Love
“Love is a many splendored thing.”
– Greg Ginn, from Guitar World
“Love is a funny thing. Sometimes it’s a beautiful thing, and sometimes it’s a real ugly thing.”
– Greg Ginn, from Guitar World
“Love is something that needs to be nurtured.”
– Henry Rollins, from Guitar World
“Love is something that you have to be willing to take risks for.”
– Henry Rollins, from Guitar World
“Love means a lot of things to a lot of people.”
– Keith Morris, from NME
“Love is the greatest gift that we can have.”
– Keith Morris, from NME
“Love is a feeling that can’t be faked.”
– Chuck Dukowski, from Alternative Press
5 Black Flag Quotes About Life
“Life is too short and too precious to worry about what other people think.”
– Henry Rollins, from BrainyQuote
“Life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans.”
– Henry Rollins, from BrainyQuote
“Life is too short to get bogged down and be discouraged. You have to keep moving. You have to keep going. Put one foot in front of the other, smile and just keep on rolling.”
– Henry Rollins, from BrainyQuote
“Life isn’t about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.”
– Henry Rollins, from BrainyQuote
“Life is a journey, and if you fall in love with the journey, you will be in love forever.”
– Unknown, from GoodReads
6 Quotes About Black Flag
“Black Flag is one of the most important punk bands of all time.”
– AllMusic, from AllMusic
“Black Flag were the pioneers of hardcore punk rock, they held the flag high and refused to sacrifice their beliefs.”
– Music Radar, from Music Radar
“Black Flag is the quintessential punk rock band.”
– Sputnik Music, from Sputnik Music
“Black Flag created a sound that was raw, jagged, and chaotic – a sound that broke away from the traditional punk sound of the 70s.”
– God Is In the TV, from God Is In the TV
“Black Flag is an iconic punk band that has influenced countless musicians.”
– Loudwire, from Loudwire
“Black Flag made punk more musically and lyrically complex, and their influence can still be heard today.”
– BBC Music, from BBC Music
Interview with Black Flag
Frequently Asked Questions About Black Flag
1. What is the origin of the phrase “Black Flag”?
The phrase “Black Flag” has its origins in two different contexts, both related to the concept of anarchy and revolution.
- The first is the flag of anarchism, which was first popularized by French political philosopher and activist Pierre-Joseph Proudhon in the late 19th century. The black flag was used to symbolize the idea of anarchism, which is a political philosophy that rejects all forms of government, authority, and institutionalized power structures.
- The second context in which the phrase “Black Flag” has its origins is in the American naval tradition. In the late 18th century, the American navy began using a black flag as a signal of no quarter, meaning that no prisoners would be taken in battle. This tradition was carried on by the Royal Navy and came to be known as the Jolly Roger.
The phrase “Black Flag” has come to be associated with a wide range of revolutionary and anarchist movements, from the Black Panther Party to the Situationist International. It has become a symbol of rebellion and revolt, and is often used to express dissatisfaction with the status quo.
2. What is the significance of the Black Flag within the punk rock subculture?
The iconic Black Flag has become a symbol of rebellion, punk culture and a symbol of non-conformity. It has come to represent the punk rock movement and its ideals of freedom, independence and a rejection of traditional values.
The Black Flag has been a powerful symbol of the punk rock subculture since the early 1980s, when it was adopted by the hardcore punk movement. The flag was originally used by the anarchist group, the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW). The IWW used the flag as a sign of revolt against authority.
Here are some of the key significance of the Black Flag to the punk rock subculture:
- It stands for a rejection of traditional values and an embrace of freedom and independence.
- It is a symbol of resistance and rebellion against authority.
- It promotes a DIY ethic, encouraging people to take control of their own lives and create their own paths.
- It is a symbol of solidarity and unity, representing a shared identity of punk rockers around the globe.
- It serves as an inspiration for creativity and self-expression.
3. What are some of the most popular Black Flag quotes?
Black Flag, the iconic punk rock band, has been inspiring generations of music fans for decades. The band’s lyrics are filled with powerful messages, and many of their quotes have become timeless classics. Here are some of the most popular Black Flag quotes:
- “My anger is a gift.”
- “Rise up and revolt against the system.”
- “We’re gonna take it, take it all away.”
- “We won’t obey, we won’t conform.”
- “No more lies, no more deception.”
- “Let’s make a revolution now.”
- “Break the chains and break the law.”
- “We won’t be held down, we won’t be oppressed.”
- “The future’s in our hands, so let’s take control.”
4. How have Black Flag quotes been used in films and other media?
Black Flag is an American punk rock band that has been around since the late 1970s and has had a major influence on the punk rock genre of music. The band’s lyrics and quotes have been used in multiple films and other media to convey a message of rebellion, freedom and individualism.
- The quote “Rise Above” was used in the movie Rock of Ages (2012) as a battle cry for the characters in the movie.
- The quote “My Own Way” was used in the horror movie Mama (2013) to reflect the resilience of the main character.
- The quote “Life of My Own” was used in the movie The Wrestler (2008) to represent the main character’s determination to take control of his own destiny.
- The quote “No Values” was used in the TV show The Simpsons (1989) to show the rebellious attitude of the character Bart Simpson.
- The quote “Revenge” was used in the video game Grand Theft Auto V (2013) to show the power of the main characters and their willingness to take revenge on their enemies.
Black Flag quotes have been used in films and other media to convey a message of individualism, rebellion and freedom. They have been used to show the strength of the characters and their determination to take control of their own destiny. The quotes have become iconic, and have been used to reflect the punk rock genre of music that Black Flag has pioneered.
5. What is the relevance of Black Flag quotes today?
Black Flag is an American punk rock band formed in 1976 in Hermosa Beach, California. They are widely regarded as one of the most influential bands in the genre, and have been credited with paving the way for the punk rock movement. The band’s lyrics, which were often politically charged, spoke to the discontent and sense of disillusionment felt by many young people in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
The impact of Black Flag’s music and lyrics still resonates today. As we continue to navigate the tumultuous times we live in, Black Flag’s quotes and lyrics offer insight and inspiration for those seeking guidance and solace in the midst of chaos. Here are a few key quotes from the band that are still relevant today:
- “Rise up, it’s time to be free. Be yourself, don’t follow me.”
- “We don’t need no thought control. No dark sarcasm in the classroom.”
- “We don’t need no authority. We just need the will to be.”
- “We can’t be beaten, we can’t be stopped. We are the voice of the people.”
- “We don’t want no bigger government, we just need to live in freedom.”
These quotes are a reminder that we can take control of our lives and make our own decisions, regardless of the obstacles we may face. They remind us to stand up for what we believe in and to keep fighting for our rights and freedoms. They also serve as a reminder of the power of collective action and the importance of solidarity.
Ultimately, Black Flag’s quotes are a reminder of the power of the people and our ability to make positive change in the world. In times of struggle, these quotes can help to remind us of the strength of the human spirit and our capacity to create a better future.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Black Flag is one of the most influential punk rock bands of all time. Their powerful lyrics and energetic performances have left a lasting impression on the punk rock scene and beyond. Their quotes reflect their passion for music and the DIY ethos that punk rock stands for. Whether you’re a long time fan or just getting into their music, these quotes will surely inspire you to make the most of your life and create something memorable.
