Guitarist Dez Cadena Joins One Of The Black Flag Reunions

By now you know that there are TWO Black Flag reunions taking place this year. One features guitarist/founding member Greg Ginn and singer Ron Reyes, while the other (simply going under the moniker FLAG) features Keith Morris, Chuck Dukowski, Bill Stevenson and Descendents guitarist Stephen Egerton. However, now one reunion is getting the addition of Dez Cadena.

In an interview with Rolling Stone, Morris and Dukowski revealed that Cadena (who in addition to playing rhythm guitar briefly sang in Black Flag before Henry Rollins joined in 1980) has joined FLAG. Dukowski said the following about FLAG’s new addition:

“We’d been talking about bringing Dez [Cadena] in too, so we brought Dez in. I’m so looking forward to it – it’s going to be great. Especially when I think of stuff like, there’s a video of the five-piece band at Mabuhay Gardens, and it’s just so powerful. And I’m looking forward to doing ‘My War’ with the two guitars, which it was always intended to have. Some of these later tunes were designed to have an interplay between the two parts. And then we’ll bring some of Dez’s later stuff, too, that never really came out. Maybe we can do ‘Ain’t No Time Here Now’ – I know he recorded that with DC3.”

Most recently, Cadena has been playing guitar and handling co-vocal duties in another legendary punk group, The Misfits. But can we expect FLAG to record any new material, like Ginn’s version plans on doing? The answer is no, with Dukowski saying the following:

“That’s not what we’re trying to do. We’re really paying tribute to our past. We’re going to get out and rock the hell out of that stuff, and try to do it with the full intensity and emotional commitment that we always did, and was always so joyful for us to do it when we did it at the Civic.”

You can read Morris and Dukowski’s entire interview with Rolling Stone, where they also discuss their thoughts on Ginn’s version of Black Flag, the project’s formation, and how they think Henry Rollins is responding to all of this, online.

Black Flag Recording New Album, U.S. Tour In The Works

Last Friday, it was revealed that not one, but essentially TWO versions of Black Flag were reforming to perform “reunion” shows. Now we’ve learned that at least one of them is planning to release new music.

Apparently the Black Flag reunion featuring guitarist/founding member Greg Ginn and singer Ron Reyes are putting the finishing touches on a new album. The record will also feature Gregory Moore on drums and Dale Nixon on bass. But of course, fans will know that “Dale Nixon” is actually the pseudonym Ginn used for numerous Black Flag releases. Thus, Ginn’s version of Black Flag has yet to find a bassist (Chuck Dukowski was previously reported to be a part of this, but now it appears that he’s in the other version).

And while Black Flag’s first appearance onstage is slated for the UK’s Hevy Fest in early August, fans can expect Ginn and co. to embark on a U.S. tour. So far, the only State-side date confirmed is set for Muddy Roots Music Festival in Tennessee on August 31. Now it’s Keith Morris’ FLAG’s turn to make the next move.

[via Invisible Oranges and Brooklyn Vegan]

Wait, Now There’s TWO Black Flag Reunions?

Yesterday, it was revealed that singer Ron Reyes, founding guitarist Greg Ginn, and drummer Robo would be performing as Black Flag at this year’s Hevy Fest in the UK. The fact that any incarnation of the legendary punk/hardcore group was reuniting came as a surprise to many. That’s why it’s even a bigger shock that yet ANOTHER Black Flag reunion featuring different members was announced not long after.

Former members Keith Morris, Chuck Dukowski (who contrary to previous reports is NOT taking part in the Hevy Fest reunion), and Bill Stevenson are joining forces with Descendents guitarist Stephen Egerton to form FLAG. The group plans to perform songs from all eras of Black Flag’s history while touring the U.S. and Europe throughout the year. The four previously performed Black Flag’s Nervous Breakdown EP together at a 30th anniversary show for concert promoter Goldenvoi in December 2011. It was the strong reaction from said performance that supposedly inspired them to form FLAG. However, we can’t help but find the timing of FLAG’s announcement funny, since as we mentioned it came not long after Ginn’s Black Flag reunion made its announcement.

So within one day, we went from having nothing to essentially TWO Black Flag reunions. While FLAG does have the advantage of having original singer Keith Morris onboard, Greg Ginn was the primary songwriter and the only member to perform on every Black Flag release. We can only imagine what Henry Rollins might have to say about all of this. So far, FLAG has only one U.S. date and three European festival appearances confirmed (while the other Black Flag still only has the Hevy Fest locked in).

While more is expected to be announced soon, check out FLAG’s confirmed dates thus far (as well as video of the four performing in 2011 together) after the jump.

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