from the 7” single, SST Records, 1978Widely regarded as the godfathers of hardcore punk (although this claim can be debated, and often is by scene purists, since the Middle Class played faster and the Germs came earlier, we’re going with the majority opinion here), Redondo Beach crew Black Flag is often remembered for their early ‘80s period with Henry Rollins at the helm, but their story really starts right about here. Back in 1978, Ketih Morris (later of Circle Jerks fame) was the one screaming into the mic, “…I'm about to have a nervous breakdown, my head really hurts; if I don't find a way out of here, I'm gonna go berserk ‘cause, I'm crazy and I'm high, head on my shoulders…it's going... berserk!” The one static figure through every incarnation of the band has been guitarist and main songwriter Greg Ginn, who also started SST records on his own rather than slumming a demo around to all the small indie labels; this track is a great example of his penchant for time signature changes and jittery, doomy guitar shredding, a style which would go on to seriously influence the thrash metal scene.
