With the Mike Vallely/ By The Sword “Black Flag Tribute” shows upon us, Mike V offers up his top 5 Black Flag albums of all-time for this edition of Favorites. Make sure you check these out and look for more editions of Favorites right here on mikevallely.com.
1. BLACK FLAG: My War (1984)
“This was the first Flag album I ever owned. I bought it at Vintage Vinyl in Fords, NJ. I always loved the heavier / stoney Flag. Not only did Flag pioneer the hardcore sound but they pioneered stoner rock and My War was and is just as important as the Nervous Breakdown 7inch. That I was actually able to join Greg Ginn on stage almost 20 years after I bought this record and perform this album from cover to cover with him and Dez Cadena still floors me. Favorite Cuts: My War, Nothing Left Inside.”
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2. BLACK FLAG: The First Four Years (1983)
“This is it folks, the birth of hardcore music. Mandatory ownership. Favorite cuts: Nervous Breakdown, Jealous Again.”
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3. BLACK FLAG: Damaged (1981)
“The first full-length Flag album and Henry’s first record with the band. Favorite cuts: Rise Above, Gimme, Gimme, Gimme.”
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4. BLACK FLAG: Slip It In (1984)
“I got suspended from school for wearing the Slip It In t-shirt to class. Favorite cuts: The Bars, Wound Up.”
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5. BLACK FLAG: Who’s Got The 10 1/2? (1986)
“Great live Flag. Favorite cuts: Drinking And Driving, Loose Nut.”
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– Mike V
If you live in Southern California don’t miss these shows (also a great reason for a roadtrip).
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Oh yeah man, Damaged and My War are my favorites, Black Flag will be remembered in the punk rock/hardcore punk scene for ever, no less. I really enjoy listening to them while I’m skating.
Yo Mike, I’ve always heard about the reunion show you performed with them, but I never saw it. Is there a video of it that you can upload on youtube?? That would be fucking great man, I always wanted to see.
Cya, Mike!
No video of the shows exist that I know of…
I was at that show at the Hollywood Palladium. It was a benefit for cats.
Good Top 5 Mike, here’s mine !!
#1 MY WAR, what can i say Best album ever? well close if not !!
#2 SLIP IT IN, best line up another classic Black Flag album.
#3 Damaged, 1st to have ROLLINS on but Not their best songs.
#4 Live ‘84, I think this is better than “who’s got the 10 1/2 Live album*
#5 The First Four Years or Everything Went Black, Both compilation album’s You should own.
Note Henry Rollins wrote in the book Get in the Van that this was his favorite Black Flag album.
* Recorded on my birthday when i was 17 damn wish i was there !!
Sh!t i should be working not posting on the “Internets” and i should proof read…
First Four Years Is ROLLINS favourite Black Flag Album NOT everything went black
and Live 84 was recorded on my birthday Not who’s got the 10 1/2 !!!
Mike V you gotta bring “BY THE SWORD” to Oakland CA
(the Rev Mother show last year @ the stork club was awesome)
My list would be:1) My War,2) Loose Nut, 3) Damaged, 4) The First Four Years, 5) Slip It In.
Yea… I like Live ‘84 but I like Who’s Got The 10 1/2 for the later songs which i prefer over the studio versions and I also think Henry was really cookin’ later on.