If you thought it was a confusing time being a Woflmother fan, with their changing on-off status, try talking to fans of hardcore legends Black Flag.
News of the first Black Flag album in 28 years should’ve pleased, but instead upset diehards given its fan-baiting cover art, and the same Greg Ginn-fronted iteration of the re-united group, who have just completed a rather disappointing tour of Australia as part of the Hits & Pits 2.0 lineup.
Our Tone Deaf reviewer at the Melbourne leg of Hits & Pits 2.0 reported that Black Flag performed “so haphazardly that you couldn’t help but notice people leaving in droves. The Palace staff and janitors even swept the floors around the small crowd as the band played – talk about an awkward moment.”
But that’s nothing compared to what Black Flag’s singer is alleging went down at the closing tour date at Perth last Sunday, where the vocalist claims he was fired on-stage and ousted by his reformed hardcore punk compatriots. “I would not be surprised if Mike V becomes the new singer for Black Flag. It is my opinion that they have been planning this for some time.”
In a scathing Facebook post, Reyes recounts how he was replaced during the Perth set by skateboarder-come-vocalist Mike Vallely mid-set, at the behest of guitarist and band leader Greg Ginn following ongoing feuds on the Hits & Pits tour. The singer says that the replacement spells out his axing from the band calling it a “relief”.
“On November 24th 2013 the last night of the Australian Hits and Pits tour with two songs left in the set Mike V comes on stage stares me down, takes my mic and says ‘You’re done, party’s over get off it’s over’,” writes Reyes. “So with a sense of great relief that it was finally over I left the stage and walked to the hotel room.”
The Black Flag’s replacement was on tour with Hits & Pits as part of Good For You, which “is basically the current touring lineup of Black Flag with professional skateboarder and musician Mike Vallely on vocals,” in the words of our Melbourne reviewer, and Reyes writes that “I would not be surprised if Mike V becomes the new singer for Black Flag. It is my opinion that they have been planning this for some time. I wish them well.”
Reyes – who first fronted Black Flag in 1979 and 1980 – adds that “the writing was on the wall” for his departure from the reformed hardcore band “since before we played our first show… It is my opinion that we fell very short indeed and the [diminishing] ticket sales and crowds are a testament to that,” writes the singer in his open letter.
“However It was made clear to me that raising these issues was tantamount to a blasphemous stab in the back to Greg,” he adds, stating he was forced to “choose sides” between Ginn’s version of the band and the competing reunion lineup of FLAG, featuring OFF! vocalist Keith Morris and original Black Flag members.
“How could I question [Greg Ginn], his efforts and hard work? How could I dare be a fan of OFF! And or be friends and a fan of FLAG? I was told that I had to chose sides,” reveals Reyes. “But I refuse to treat someone like an [infallible] Pope figure. No guitarist deserves such unquestioning blind devotion. And so I have been excommunicated in a very strange fashion.”
Read the (ex-)Black Flag vocalist’s full Facebook statement below.
On November 24th 2013 the last night of the Australian Hits and Pits tour with two songs left in the set Mike V comes on stage stares me down, takes my mic and says “You’re done, party’s over get off it’s over…” He said something else to me but it was a lie so I won’t repeat it here. So with a sense of great relief that it was finally over I left the stage and walked to the hotel room. They finished the set with Mike V on vocals. There is much more that can and perhaps should be said. But for now I will spare you the gory details.
The writing was on the wall since before we played our first show. So many things went wrong from the start. I was into things like having a good drummer, rehearsing and spending time on things like beginnings and endings of songs, being a little less distracted with tour life and a little more on the ball. You know things that would make our efforts worthy of the name Black Flag… Yes it is my opinion that we fell very short indeed and the deminihing ticket sales and crowds are a testament to that. However It was made clear to me that raising these issues was tantamount to a blasphemous stab in the back to Greg. How could I question him, his efforts and hard work? How could I dare be a fan of OFF! And or be friends and a fan of Flag? I was told that I had to chose sides. But I refuse to treat someone like an infalable Pope figure. No guitarist deserves such unquestioning blind devotion. And so I have been excommunicated in a very strange fashion.
I truly feel sorry for anyone who had to witness the infantile behaviour and the relentless provocation I was subjected to both on and off the stage. I regret that under such fierce provocation and taunting I sometimes responded in maners bellow my standard. I am greatful for the opportunities Greg gave me. There were some magical moments at first. I was naive enough to believe in the promise of potential. But in the end the good was no match for the overwhelming bad. It am proud of my contributions including the new album and it’s cover. Come on folks it’s only rock n roll.
I would not be surprised if Mike V becomes the new singer for Black Flag. It is my opinion that they have been planing this for some time. I wish them well. Mike is a true deciple of Greg and so they have a good working relationship. And Ironicly the tension over the last weeks has brought out some of Greg’s best playing. So it could be interesting. I will miss playing with Dave Klien. He is a great kid and truly an outstanding bass player. Dave was an anchor that kept me from losing my place on a nightly basis. Trust me that was no easy task for either of us.
I truly apologize for being in or more accurately “appearing” to be in competition with “Flag”. They know my heart on this matter. From the beginning I was happy for them and fully supported and understood why they would want to rock those songs and have a good time with friends and family. Yes I questioned their use of the name and logo but in no way questiond their motivation or right to do their thing. I envy them for they have succeeded in ways that were never possible with “Black Flag”. And once again for the record, I agreed to do Black Flag before I knew there was a Flag. I mean no malice towards Greg or Mike although they will most likely see things very differently. I wish them luck and prosperity. I have learned many valuable lessons this year. And these lessons will enrich my personal and musical endeavours.
Cheers. Ron Reyes.
(Image: Christian Ross. Source: Hits & Pits 2.0 Sydney 2013)
