sst records. 015 / 24 tracks + commercials / 1983

UK: sst records. 015 / 24 tracks / 1983 (?)

D: aggressive rockproduktionen. ag 0015 / 24 tracks + commercials / 1983

#1 - First US version is the “censored” version (2LP) with all occurrences of the words “Black Flag” blacked or blanked on the cover, also no Black Flag reference on the labels. This was done because of the legal trouble with their former distributor Unicorn/MCA which prohibited them to officially release an album at that time (they got in trouble for releasing this name-less version, too). #2 - US 2LP reissue without the censoring. #3 - UK pressing on SST, “distributed by Pinnacle”, circa 1984. This is a single LP with all tracks on one record and no radio commercials. #4 - German 2LP pressing, gatefold sleeve with lyrics; (translated) German liner notes on the back. #5 - 1989 SST reissue on white vinyl. #6 - Numerous SST repressings on black. Also available on CD from around 1989.

The band used the long and painful hiatus caused by the legal wrangle with Unicorn records to release this collection of pre-Henry material. All the early hits, recorded with various vocalists (Keith Morris, Chavo, Dez), so you can pick your favorite version. It’s a cool BF “history” album, but after the third version of Gimmie Gimmie Gimmie you start to wish for some variation… which comes in the form of collected radio commercials on side 4. Essential for fans, all others should start with the First Four Years LP. [7]

Historisches Material einer der wichtigsten HC-Bands; angefangen mit frühen, rauhen Aufnahmen von ’78 und ’79 bis zu der Zeit, als Dez ausschied (1981). Die Platte zeigt deutlich, daß Black Flag absolut nicht gleich Henry Rollins ist; allerdings sind seine Interpretationen der Songs immer noch am besten. Die Platte hat ’geschichtlichen’ Wert, aber die meisten Trax sind auf der Damaged LP in besseren Versionen. Auf der 4. Seite noch Radio-Werbespots. Witzig…

Tracks: gimmie gimmie gimmie / i don’t care / white minority / no values / revenge / depression / clocked in / police story / wasted // gimmie gimmie gimmie / depression / police story / clocked in / my rules / jealous again / police story / damaged I / louie louie // no more / room 13 / depression / damaged II / padded cell / gimmie gimmie gimmie // (crass commercialism) - radio commercials