Who We Are: Black Flag from Hermosa Beach
We're Black Flag, a hardcore punk band from Hermosa Beach, California. Here's the short version of where we come from, and why our merch looks the way it does.
Where did Black Flag start?
We started in Hermosa Beach in 1976. Guitarist Greg Ginn and singer Keith Morris founded the band, and bassist Chuck Dukowski and drummer Brian Migdol completed the first lineup. Hardcore punk is the sound, and Black Flag is widely seen as one of the first hardcore bands.
Were we always called Black Flag?
No. For our first two years we were called Panic. In late 1978 we changed the name to Black Flag, because another band was already called Panic.
Who gave us the name and the bars?
Raymond Pettibon, Greg Ginn's brother. He suggested the name Black Flag and designed the four bars, the logo that's on so much of our merch today. Four black bars, nothing else needed.
What is SST Records?
Greg Ginn and Chuck Dukowski founded SST Records in 1978. Its first release was our own Nervous Breakdown EP. From there came Damaged in 1981, then My War, Family Man and Slip It In in 1984, and Loose Nut and In My Head in 1985.
Who sang for Black Flag?
Four singers, one after another: Keith Morris first, then Ron Reyes, then Dez Cadena from 1980, and Henry Rollins from 1981. Each era left its own records.
What's in the store?
Our merch carries that history:
- The bars: the logo on its own, as plain as it gets.
- The records: designs that come from our releases and their artwork.
- The wordmark: BLACK FLAG in heavy letters, front and centre.
Every design comes on tees, long sleeves, crewnecks and hoodies, with kids' and youth sizes too.