Review Summary: Is the whole thing a healthy release of tension or yet another disturbing sign of the escalating violence in society?
After the earthquake that was
Nervous Breakdown – the frontman being Keith Morris, later Circle Jerks’ founder – and the Ron Reyes-fronted
Jealous Again, Black Flag continued their established "1 new release, 1 new frontman" motto in the person of Dez Cadena. If musically the formula was pretty much the same raw punk rock laying the foundations of the burgeoning hardcore culture, the new frontman brought a different take on how to "sing" in a hardcore band. Instead of taking influence from Johnny Rotten like his two predecessors, Cadena chose to go full bellow, creating the new template for hardcore roarers all across the U.S.A.
Although the Cadena era was the most successful time of the band - headlining a sold-out show in 1981 at a 3500-seat Santa Monica venue, a feature they would never accomplish ever again - and coincided with the dawning of the band's massive touring, the 5-minute EP this period generated is stuck between their first legendary EP and the infamous
Damaged LP, arguably two of the most influential releases in punk music.
Indeed, what truly stands out musically on this EP is the title track and its infamous bassline which immediately propelled it to the rank of hardcore classic. Unluckily, it does lack the famous
I've got a six pack, and nothing to do. I got a six pack and I don't need you line Rollins later added. While the two B-sides continue the hardcore aggression heard previously, nastily kicking the American establishment's mouth while always displaying a slacker attitude, they do not pack a punch as effectively as the band's classic tunes.
However, this iteration of the group had to be short, if not compact and passionate. Cadena was only a friend of the band before joining, having no experience as a frontman and singer. Couple this with too many cigs, and you’ve got a voice that would soon slump under the assay. Eventually everyone realized it would be best if he moved to guitar and the band got a new singer. Here came Henry Rollins, whose stage presence and intense personality would soon become the blueprint of the Hardcore Tough Motherfucker. The new chapter was ready to damage America.
