The First Four Years

Performer: Black Flag (Punk)
Producer: Geza X; Spot; Black Flag
Distributor: E1 Distribution (USA)

Notes: Black Flag: Dez Cadena (vocals, guitar); Chuck Dukowski (vocals, bass); Keith Morris, Chavo (Ron Reyes) (vocals); Greg Ginn (guitar); Brian Migdol, Robo (drums). Personnel: Dez Cadena (vocals, guitar); Chuck Dukowski, Keith Morris (vocals); Greg Ginn (guitar); Brian Migdol, Robo (drums). 1983's THE FIRST FOUR YEARS is a handy compilation of Black Flag's first three seven-inch EPs, 1978's NERVOUS BREAKDOWN, 1980's JEALOUS AGAIN, and 1981's SIX PACK, along with two tracks from compilations and both sides of 1981's "Louie Louie"/Damaged I" single. All told, it contains the band's entire output from its pre-Henry Rollins era, though this has not stopped SST Records from reissuing the three EPs in a seemingly endless stream of formats and combinations. Before Rollins brought his more serious and political concerns to the band, Black Flag was a sometimes-goofy punk band in the tradition of the Dictators. Keith Morris and Dez Cadena, who (separately) sing most of this material, later spent time with the Circle Jerks and Redd Kross, respectively, and the sometimes pop-tinged punk of those bands is a good comparison for these unpretentious, speedy proto-hardcore nuggets. An essential L.A. punk release.

Black Flag, founded in 1978, was one of the first California punk bands. They were originators of American hardcore, a faster, louder variant on the original British punk style. In 1980, singer Henry Rollins arrived, and the band began its journey toward iconic status. Though Black Flag didn't survive the '80s, Rollins went on to become an icon of alternative-rock culture, and the band's music inspired legions of younger punk groups.

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