Pioneering Hermosa Beach Hardcore act. BLACK FLAG's inaugural line-up for the 1978 'Nervous Breakdown' EP was vocalist Keith Morris, guitarist Greg Ginn, bass player Chuck Dukowski and drummer Brian Migdol. Morris also went under the name Johnny or Bob Goldstein. Confusingly Dukowski often used another handle of Gary McDaniel.

The following year Morris made way for singer Chavo Pedarast (real name Ron Reyes) and Robo came in on drums for the 'Jealous Again' single. Dez Cadena soon took the frontman's role for the 'Louie, Louie' single. A further 7" single 'Thirsty And Miserable' was given away at shows. By August of 1981 former STATE OF ALERT singer HENRY ROLLINS made the position permanent as Cadena shifted over to second guitar.

A 1981 tour of England left Robo in London, stuck when his visa expired. Back in America, BLACK FLAG duly replaced him with DESCENDENTS man Bill Stevenson. For 1982 Emil was behind the drum kit. Meantime Robo had returned to America to join the MISFITS upon the advice of Rollins. In July of the same year Canadian ex-D.O.A. man Chuck Biscuits took over as drummer for BLACK FLAG. Biscuits also had a side project operating at the same time titled NIG HEIST made up of BLACK FLAG roadies. This band would often open the shows for BLACK FLAG.

Biscuits would shortly leave to join FEAR, RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS, CIRCLE JERKS and later team up with DANZIG. Tracks he had recorded with BLACK FLAG were re-recorded.

Cadena joined RED KROSS in 1983. Cadena would leave to form DC3 and TWISTED ROOTS. Stevenson manouevered back onto the BLACK FLAG drum stool. In December 1983 Dukowski decamped and BLACK FLAG enlisted bassist Kira Roessler. Mid 1985 found Anthony Martinez on drums. 1986 opened with 'C'El on bass.

In 1989 Sub Pop issued a split single between Punk heavyweights TAD and PUSSY GALORE with both bands giving their rendition of BLACK FLAG's 'Damaged'. BLACK FLAG's early days were captured on the 1996 bootleg 'The Complete 1982 demos'.

1998 had Cadena as part of ex-GUNS N' ROSES bassist DUFF McKAGAN's band LOADED. Cadena also operated CARNAGE ASADA and VIDA. The latter act including ex MINUTEMEN and FIREHOSE drummer George Hurley, bassist Bill Bowman of the FARMERS and TROCOLLI'S DOG man Tom Trocolli.

During early 2002 Rollins provided the momentum behind an album to raise funds in aid of a group of teenage Metal fans, dubbed 'the West Memphis three' convicted of murdering three eight year old boys. Apparently, damning evidence against the teenagers stemmed solely from the fact they were Metal fans. Although the crimes happened more than a decade ago Rollins and his band MOTHER SUPERIOR planned on re-recording BLACK FLAG material with guesting vocalists.

The resulting album 'Rise Above' would feature Rollins himself on the tracks 'Rise Above', duetting with Chuck D of PUBLIC ENEMY, 'TV Party', 'Black Coffee', My War', 'Annihilate This Week' with BLACK FLAG's comrade Kira Roessler and 'Slip It In', the latter vocalising with Inger Lorre of the NYMPHS. Chuck Dukowski also delivered vocals on 'What I See'. A massive roll call of guests saw Keith Morris of the CIRCLE JERKS on 'Nervous Breakdown', IGGY POP on 'Fix Me', Neil Fallon of CLUTCH on 'American Waste', Jeff Moreira of POISON THE WELL on 'I've Heard It Before', Corey Taylor of SLIPKNOT on 'Room 13', Nick Oliveri from QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE on 'Jealous Again', Casey Chaos of AMEN on 'Depression', former FAITH NO MORE man Mike Patton on 'Six Pack', Tom Araya of SLAYER on 'Revenge', Lemmy from MOTÖRHEAD on 'Thirsty & Miserable' and the RANCID duo of Tim Armstrong and Lars Frederiksen on 'No More'.

Dez Cadena would join Jerry Only's legendary Punk Horror outfit the MISFITS for European Summer dates in 2004.