Black Flag’s debut release is an aptly titled masterstroke to Southern California class separation and the alpha-male working-class aggression to rise above it. Riff-riot furies like “I’ve Had It” and “Nervous Breakdown” showed a band that understood the rock ’n’ roll dictum that rage doesn’t work unless it’s embedded in authenticity (as well as humor). Hoarse shouter Keith Morris (who soon left the band to form The Circle Jerks) and guitarist Greg Ginn whittled down rock ’n’ roll to its purest essentials, which was just enough to help inspire a generation of disgruntled American kids to form punk bands.
- 1984
- Apple Music
- Minor Threat
- Descendents
- D.I.