Black Flag’s dueling reunion drama deepens with news that a new album is on the way from founder Greg Ginn’s version of the hardcore California outfit.
As SPIN previously reported, there are two separate Black Flag reunions happening. One consists of original vocalist Keith Morris, original bassist Chuck Dukowski, drummer Bill Stevenson, and Descendents/All guitarist Stephen Egerton. That lineup calls themselves FLAG and are planning a U.S. tour, as well as appearances at several international festivals.
A different group, led by Ginn, will also be performing live this year. This version is using the official “Black Flag” name and has announced today (January 28) that they are “putting finishing touches on a new album” that will be released later in 2013. The band’s as-yet-untitled seventh studio album features Ginn on guitar, Ron Reyes on vocals (he sang for the group from 1979 to 1980), and longtime Ginn collaborator Gregory Moore on drums. “Dale Nixon,” a pseudonym of Ginn’s, is credited with playing bass. “Nixon” is also listed as the bassist on Black Flag’s second full-length, 1984’s My War. A live bassist for the upcoming tour has not yet been confirmed.
Ginn’s incarnation of Black Flag revealed last week that they would perform a single U.K. gig at Hevy Fest on August 4, but the band has now added two more festival shows: Germany’s Ruhrpott Rodeo (May 18) and Tennessee’s Muddy Roots Music Festival (August 31). “Far from being a one-time grab, this reformation has Black Flag recording and touring extensively both in the U.S. and abroad,” the press release reads. The initial Hevy Fest announcement came with news that drummer Julio Roberto “Robo” Valverde Valencia was involved, but Robo isn’t mentioned anywhere in the Jan. 28 statement.
According to the press release, Ginn and Reyes first discussed reuniting after Reyes invited Ginn to his 50th birthday party in 2010. The two performed together and “vowed at that time to work on some songs together.” This soon-to-be-finished album will be Black Flag’s first since 1985’s In My Head.
More tour dates from both reunion lineups are forthcoming. And while Henry Rollins may not be involved with either group, he can still fall back on his second career as a music video tough guy.
