Interview by Kris Peters
BLACK FLAG, the American band formed in 1976 in Hermosa Beach, California, has turned a new page and begun a bold new chapter with the addition of three new members: Max Zanelly (vocals), David Rodriguez (bass), and Bryce Weston (drums), joining founding guitarist Greg Ginn.
With a fresh lineup - and their first ever female vocalist - and renewed creative energy, BLACK FLAG is gearing up for exciting live shows and new music production. The group has already begun writing and rehearsing together, building on their signature sound while embracing new influences brought in by the latest members.
In what is an exciting new era for Black Flag as they enter their 50th year, Max becomes the first female vocalist for the legendary outfit, bringing with her a youthful exhuberance and passion that Ginn says is infectious and vital to the bands sustained career. The fact this is her first time ever fronting a band has not seemed to faze Max - aside from her wanting to return to the venue of her very first show in Bulgeria to do it all over again.
Ginn tells this story and more as HEAVY catches up with him weeks out from Black Flag's May Australian tour.
"Oh, they bring so much," he enthused when we ask him about the three new band members. "First of all, I just love playing with them. I think it's the best the band has ever been and certainly I'm enjoying it more than ever. One thing I wanted to do was get people that live close and David and Bryce live very close. So we can get together and we've been able to work on a lot of songs. And they're just incredible musicians. Max, she's just incredible. It's the first band she's ever ever sang in, but she's just excellent."
We bring up the fact that all three are young musicians, not even born when Black Flag were at their peak, and ask if that was a problem when it comes to relating to the band's music and legacy.
"Yeah, but that doesn't matter," Ginn shook his head. "I think our songs aren't really attached to a particular time in terms of the themes. They're about personal stuff. Real stuff. Real people. Real feelings. Real situations. A lot of our fans are younger. It's amazing how many young people are in our crowd. It doesn't make any difference. If people are involved with the music, I don't see it as being from a period, a particular period of time. But I know people can think that, and some people before they see us play they might think that, but generally not afterwards."
The full interview reviewed Black Flag's upcoming Australian tour, with Greg outlining the concert format as two long sets of roughly 50–55 minutes with a short intermission for meeting fans and selling merchandise.
Discussion turned to personnel: Ginn introduced the three new members in greater detail and explained the choices were driven by musicianship and availability for heavy touring. Ginn noted Max had limited prior band experience but was selected because she fit best, and that rehearsal and touring have increased her confidence. The group plans to mix songs from across Black Flag’s eras rather than segregating material by period for the shows, with Greg expressing excitement to be coming back.
We spoke about the early days of Black Flag and the musical climate that gave birth to the band, the genesis of the famous band logo and more.
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