Black Flag

In January 1981, Black Flag was in a transformative phase of their career, marked by their evolving sound and lineup changes. The live recording of "Depression" captured during this time showcases the raw energy of the band right before Henry Rollins joined. At this point, Black Flag had recently released their debut studio album, "Damaged," which came out in December 1981. However, the live performance predates this significant album, highlighting their early style rooted in punk rock. This period was crucial for the band, as they began to attract attention for their aggressive sound and intense performances, which would later be fully realized with Rollins on vocals. An interesting fact about this era is that Black Flag was at the forefront of the hardcore punk movement, pushing boundaries not only in music but also in their DIY ethics and how they approached touring and fan engagement.

Watch on YouTube