CLOSEST THING TO A BLACK FLAG REUNION IN AWHILE

Black Flag — at least the Henry Rollins fronted version that most people associate with — won’t be reuniting, ever. Rollins doesn’t need the payday and has shown zero interest in playing music these days, favoring his acting and writing careers instead. But informed fans of the pioneering California hardcore act know that Rollins was one of a handful of vocalists that played in the band. One of those who preceded him was Ron Reyes, best known for his work on 1980’s Jealous Again EP. Though he may not have been as revered as Keith Morris or Dez Cadena, Reyes’ part on that seminal recording will forever grant the-artist-also-known-as-Chavo-Pederast a cache of street cred from hardcore purists.

So it’s pretty cool to learn that he reunited with Black Flag mastermind Greg Ginn at a Vancouver concert celebrating Reyes’ fiftieth birthday. The legendary guitarist joined Reyes and his backing band onstage to play a few tracks including “Jealous Again” (check out the video above) and “Revenge”. While there’s no indication that this is anything but a one-off gig, I suspect that fans would welcome a proper reunion tour from any incarnation of the band. With Morris busy with his new band OFF! (including an upcoming gig at the punk extravaganza known as Riot Fest) and Cadena playing in the current Misfits incarnation, a Reyes-fronted reunion with Ginn and any of the former rhythm section players could be pretty cool. Maybe Rollins could plug it in his Vanity Fair column!

-GS