Black Flag

[ateolf]

Yesterday Mary Beth and I took a trip out to Winchester Market before our regular grocery shopping. Then later I went up to Growlers to see Black Flag. The opening band was called The Linecutters. They're hardcore, mostly just not very memorable. Overall not terrible or bad or whatever, though they had a few songs where I was like "eh...". The dudes in the band look like they're sixteen or something. Black Flag was good. I'm pretty sure the set was very similar to when I saw 'em a few years ago. Pretty much a greatest hits type set, but they played for a pretty long time and just ripped through everything. They didn't play any of my most favorite songs, but that's to be expected as my favorites are mostly not the "hits" (I mean, I like those too and all). They did do a very extended and great version of "Slip It In" and they even did a bit of an extended jam on "Louie Louie." (And they did "Damaged II" but not "Damaged I". II is relatively high up there, but I is my absolute favorite Black Flag song.) It's always great to see just Greg Ginn playing guitar. I'd forgotten how much Mike Vallely, the current singer, pretty much just does a spot-on Rollins impersonation. The crowd, unsurprisingly, was pretty obnoxious. I was in a position it didn't bother me too much. It was pretty crowded too. Lots of young people and some old fogies like me (and older). Also almost no one I know or even recognize was there. Did end up seeing Josh towards the end of the show and talked to him a little bit afterwards. I picked up a tour t-shirt. Anyway, good show, if not surprising but that's not what you expect going to see Black Flag in 2020. That sounds dismissive, it's not. I mean, sure I'd love it for a set with "Damaged I," "The Process of Weeding Out," "Nothing Left Inside," "I Won't Stick Any of You Unless and Until I Can Stick All of You," etc. etc. etc. but I'll take and enjoy any of it!