Greg Ginn is synonymous with the US punk and independent scene of the late 1970s and 1980s. As the founding member of Black Flag, his role as guitarist quickly transformed into band leader and business man. Because Black Flag was often labelled as violent and a threat to civilised order by club owners and the media, the band was forced to go DIY (a convenience when you consider the band didn't want to sign to a major). Ginn founded the SST label to release Black Flag's music, as well as ultimately putting out albums by Hüsker Dü, Sonic Youth, the Minutemen, Dinosaur Jr and the Meat Puppets.

Black Flag's music was nothing less than brutal, with aggression and social observation coming from all angles. The band went through a number of line-up changes over the years, with Henry Rollins being possibly the most well-known member. Still, it was Ginn who contributed many of the songs and held the band together when poverty and a gruelling life on the road threatened to tear it apart.

"Gregg Ginn never looked like he had any control whatsoever," Henry Rollins told Guitar School in 1994. "You'd watch his arms and they'd just have a life of their own. It was controlled uncontrolledness. He never looked like he knew what he was doing, but that was because he really knew what he was doing. The guy practiced nine hours a day. I mean, he was unbelievable. He was like Robert Fripp in his discipline. And when he played live, it was really crazy - almost like he was about to fall. I mean, being in that band was kind of like running on a tightrope where every step was like, "Whoaaa!"

Recommended Links:

Get in the Van : On the Road With Black Flag

Greg Ginn Equipment FAQ

PUNKNET 77 - Black Flag

SST & Cruz Records MP3s

Gregg Ginn from Black Flag

The Lost Generation of American Rock and Roll

Greg Ginn projects review

The Mighty Black Flag

Black Flag - December 1981

Black Flag Live Review

Getting Their Hands Dirty - Michael Azerrad Chronicles Indie Rock His Way