Black Flag

Although Black Flag was unquestionably one of the greatest and most explosive live rock bands of all time, few of the band's shows were documented on video before its breakup in 1987. Although the band only managed two British tours during its existence, a professionally shot video surfaced in 2000 of a U.K. show from 1984 (at the Bier Keller in Bradford), entitled simply Live. Right around this time, the band let its admiration for such classic heavy metal bands as Black Sabbath seep into its punk/hardcore sound, as the lineup at this particular juncture of Black Flag's career featured founder Greg Ginn on guitar, vocalist Henry Rollins, bassist Kira Roessler, and ex-Descendents drummer Bill Stevenson. The quartet proves to be in fine form throughout, roaring through such Flag classics as "Nervous Breakdown," "Slip It In," "Black Coffee," "Jealous Again," "I Love You," "Fix Me," and the raging set closer, "Rat's Eyes." In addition to the fine musical performance, a humorous scene occurs early in the show, when an annoying fan keeps walking around and sitting on the stage during the performance, and is unknowingly spit on by Ginn! Any true fan of Black Flag will definitely enjoy the nearly hour-long Live. ~ Greg Prato, All Music Guide