One of the most powerful bands to emerge from the cinders of punk... one of the most powerful bands ever. Greg Ginn, a madman and a thorough disciple of the guitar, brought this band into being in 1977 in the depths of L.A. outside of the reaches of the excesses of the '70s. He'd had enough of the "California" sound of the Eagles, the over-production of Steely Dan and ELO. It was time to create a new sound. Fueled by the simplicity and immediacy of the Ramones first album, he pulled together a small group of people who could barely play their instruments and began a pattern of musical deconstruction that exploded on a brand new scene that was just beginning to form. Controversy and opposition were the bedfellows of the band from the beginning: the law were not welcoming the emergence of the punk scene on the west coast. The fact that Black Flag survived those first four years was amazing in its own right. Singers kept quitting, occasionally during shows. But the band persevered, even acting in an instrumental capacity in between singers. It became common during these periods for people to jump on stage and act as the stand-in vocalist for the band. Dez Cadena, 1980-1983 The band finally settled into a stable unit with Ginn on guitar, Chuck Dukowski on bass, Robo on drums, and Dez Cadena as the permanent vocalist. It was with this line-up that Black Flag first ventured out on its first US tours. By December of 1980, the band was making its way across the USA for the first time. They played their first dates in New York City and Washington D.C. In the audience at each show were D.C. youths Ian MacKaye and Henry Garfield. They spoke to the band and ended up hanging out with them. Flag came east again during the summer of 1981. It was at a show in New York City that Henry ended up getting on stage and singing with the band for one song. Unbeknownst to Henry, Dez had been wanting to give up the mic to move over to rhythm guitar. Jumping on stage to sing left an impression on the band, so they ended up calling Henry back to NYC from D.C. and asked him to 'jam' with the band. After taking the train ride up and practicing with the band for a few hours, the others talked it over and decided that Henry would be the new vocalist. He quit his job, sublet his apartment, sold nearly everything he owned, and joined the band on tour several days later. This line up only lasted until their tour of England in late 1981, but long enough to record the first album, Damaged. Ian and Henry, 1982 Interview during the Damaged sessions, 1981 Dukowski, Rollins, Cadena, Ginn It was after their tour of the UK that they lost long time drummer Robo. Bill Stevenson of the Descendents filled in for a show or two, but a succession of replacement drummers (including future Danzig drummer Chuck Biscuits) came before he took over as the full time drummer. Flag were kept from releasing a sophomore album due to legal difficulties with the label that were originally scheduled to release Damaged. SST had taken it upon themselves to release the album themselves once MCA (in charge of distributing the Unicorn label) deemed it "An Anti-Parent Record" and unsuitable for corporate release. By doing so themselves, however, they violated a contract and wound up with thousands in legal bills andinjunctions against them for the next two years. Despite this, they released a compilation of formerly unreleased takes without the Black Flag name and ended up in more legal troubles... it was determined to still be Black Flag. More bills. Rollins in action Dukowski, Rollins, Ginn, Chuck Biscuits, Cadena Fall, 1982 By the time My War was released in 1983, Stevenson was in, but Dukowski had left the group. Ginn performed bass duties himself for the recording of the album under the name Dale Nixon. Kira Roessler was brought in by the end of the year as the new bass player.1984 began an incredibly intense period of activity for the band. They released two albums that year, the split Family Man (half early Rollins spoken word, half Flag instrumentals), and the aggressive Slip It In. They toured insanely, going to great lengths to tour as many places in as little time as possible. Intensive tours into the depths of Europe and throughout the United States ensued. They even went to the length of playing three shows in three states in the space of 24 hours... lengths bands today will usually not go to. 1985 was even more active. Three album releases, including Loose Nut and In My Head interrupted by the instrumental Process of Weeding Out. Soon after, Stevenson and then Kira left the band. Kira, 1985 Rollins, 1985 Anthony Martinez and C'el were taken on as the new drummer and bass player respectively and another shakedown of the United States was undertaken. Also on the bill were groups Painted Willie and the Ginn led instrumental trio Gone (including future Rollins Band rhythm section Simeon Cain and Andrew Weiss.) The three legs of the tour were probably the most ambitious touring of their career. It would also be their last. In mid-1986, Ginn called the members of the band and told them he was quitting Black Flag. So ended the near ten year career of one of the most dynamic bands to come out of punk. Ginn concentrated on running SST Records. A year later, the Rollins Band had already begun touring.

Disconnected (DC),originally from Bandung Indonesia,somewhere in south-east Asia, came into existence in 1998. The original members Arie (voc/guitar), Yudha (Bass) and Decil (Drums) followed their dreams to become rock stars and began playing at their local junior high school. That dream eventually led to the formation of "DISCONNECTED" or just "DC" for short. The name was actually taken from the title of a song by an american punk band, Face to Face. There was no special reason for taking this name. It just sounded good. Like their music.In the beginning DC played covers from some of their favourite bands including, Gigantor, Kill Rays, Face to Face and Blink 182. It took the addition of two more members PJ (guitar/voc) and Dea (Synth), in 2000, before they began to experiment and write their own music. This experimentation led to their combining punk with elements of electronic and trance music to create their own unique style. With their own music in hand they began playing a wider range of venues and released their first album "Inside Out." They also had a number of singles featured on compilations released by a local, independent record company. In 2003 continued to produce they're own music and rogressively develop new material. They keep on pushing on and keep rocking every stage that they play.We're back on may 2006 with Stay low and keep those feet moving.EP released by Heaven Records.And Discopukhead had been released in April 2007.

It was all started in 1998. Our strongest line up are: Al Kautsar (vocal), Aska Pratama (guitar/vocal), Bisma Aria Nugraha (bass), Rizky Fadli (guitar), Khrisna a.k.a Ozom (Drums). First was our all time favorites; the 80s new wave acts; The Cure, Alphaville, OMD, Nena, Culture Club, Cyndi Lauper, Duran-Duran, The Police, Joy Division etc. Second were what in our CD player recently; Pulley, Lagwagon, Weezer, Pearl Jam, NOFX, Pennywise, Reggie & The Full Effects, etc. We have 8 compilations and 2 full albums, now were preparing for our 3rd album. Our first album Soundtrack For Your Life was putting out by Off The Records (an independent label from our hometownBandung) which has been sold more than 20.000 copies, and our 2nd album (Ras Bebas) now in major debut with Sony/BMG Indonesia and recently it was sold about 45.000 copies.

Weve been on skatepark tour all year with VOLCOM Indonesia, and play high school/college shows as many as possible. Weve also opened Skin Of Tears show (punk rock from Germany). Anyhow, we are sponsored by the greatest skate/surf companies ever, Volcom and Electric.

Actually it was like laying a big bet for playing punk rock music here and try to make a living out of it. Playing in a punk rock band or being a part of the (so-called) cutting edge is a super hard job. We have to try super hard to convince corporate people who have the money that we can add values to their business. Somehow, in the early days, the kids still feel strange to what we play. But we believe that we can pass this test and have a big smile in the end. Finally, after constant powering up grassroots activities, local TV, MTV Indonesia and radio are starting to recognize us and airplay our things. Thanks for the early believers.

Anyhow big promoters with big capitals finally tried to call off big rock shows, so many great bands had been rocking here (Indonesia) : Metallica, Green Day, Himsa, Sonic Youth, Beastie Boys, Sepultura, Foo Fighters, Ingrowing, Napalm Death, The (International) Noise Conspiracy, etc. Kids are starting to dig it and so our things can get more and more attention. Somehow, we dont care to what people going to say about us, even in the hard days. We just play to what we love and what we believe. It has been 8 years now, and we have never regret for our starting the band.

First thing first; we always write songs that come from our heart and try our best to describe us (as a band) in our original way. And we think its important to keep it simple so that more and more people can understand on what we stand for. We always try to consistently humble to all people: fans, corporate people, and media people. We always let them know that are trying to we speak their language and treat them as good as we want them to treat us. We need people to know that we always play music with honest and we dont do the regular rock star fuck you attitude (coz we have our own fuck you attitude way). We have fuck yous in a safe mode, just to let people know that we believe in our things.

Our recent goal was big, hairy and scary; we want to change the face of music industry in our country. Were trying to write down the path for newer bands that they can reach their dreams if they work for it. Its like providing an intellectual property so that new young creative bands with hard work attitude wont reinventing the wheel. We would like to see more kids start to wear band tshirt, start to skate and believe on their passion to live their own things. Its important to see kids which getting into more creative hype and do their best for their life and gives something back to their community. Thats what great American bands do for a living, and it inspires us so much.

Judging from their name, Suicidal Tendencies were never afraid of a little controversy. Formed in Venice, CA, during the early '80s, the group's leader from the beginning was outspoken vocalist Mike Muir. The outfit specialized in vicious hardcore early on -- building a huge following among skateboarders, lending a major hand in the creation of skatepunk -- before turning their focus eventually to thrash metal. Early on, the group (whose original lineup included Muir, guitarist Grant Estes, bassist Louiche Mayorga, and drummer Amery Smith) found it increasingly difficult to book shows, due to rumors of its members' affiliation with local gangs and consistent violence at their performances. The underground buzz regarding Suicidal Tendencies grew too loud for labels to ignore though, as the quartet signed on with the indie label Frontier; issuing Muir and company's classic self-titled debut in 1983. The album quickly became the best-selling hardcore album up to that point; its best-known track, "Institutionalized," was one of the first hardcore punk videos to receive substantial airplay on MTV, and was eventually used in the Emilio Estevez cult classic movie Repo Man, as well as in an episode for the hit TV show Miami Vice (for which the group made a cameo appearance).

Suicidal Tendencies proved influential for future speed/thrash metal bands, but despite its early success, the quartet's reputation preceded them, as no other record label was willing to take them on (in addition, Los Angeles banned the group from playing around this time, lasting until the early '90s). Not much was heard from the group for several years afterward (leading many to believe that Suicidal had broken up), but Muir and company eventually found a home with Caroline Records. By this time, half of the original lineup had left; Muir and Mayorga were the only holdovers, while guitarist Rocky George and drummer R.J. Herrera rounded out the group. 1987 saw the release of Suicidal's sophomore release, Join the Army, which spawned another popular skatepunk anthem, "Possessed to Skate," as more and more metal heads began to be spotted in Suicidal's audience. Soon after, Suicidal was finally offered a major-label contract (with Epic), as another lineup change occurred: Mayorga exited the band, while newcomer Bob Heathcote took his spot; and a second guitarist, Mike Clark, was added as well. This Suicidal lineup's first album together, 1988's How Will I Laugh Tomorrow When I Can't Even Smile Today, showed that their transformation from hardcore to heavy metal was now complete, as did a compilation of two earlier EPs, 1989's Controlled by Hatred/Feel Like Shit...Dj Vu.

Suicidal's first release of the new decade, 1990's Lights, Camera, Revolution, was another success; its video for the explosive "You Can't Bring Me Down" received repeated airings on MTV's Headbanger's Ball program, while the album (in addition to the Controlled by Hatred comp) would be certified gold in the U.S. a few years later. The release also signaled the arrival of new bassist Robert Trujillo, whose penchant for funk added a new element to the group's sound. The group tried to broaden their audience even further by opening a string of arena shows for prog-metallists Queensrche during the summer of 1991. Their next release, 1992's The Art of Rebellion, proved to be one of Suicidal's most musically experimental albums of their career. Muir and Trujillo also teamed up around this time for a funk metal side project, Infectious Grooves (including several other participants, such as Jane's Addiction drummer Stephen Perkins) and issued a debut release, The Plague That Makes Your Booty Move. Upset that the group's classic debut had been out of print for several years by this point, Muir decided to re-record the entire record with Suicidal's '90s lineup under the title of Still Cyco After All These Years.

But after one more release, 1994's Suicidal for Life, Suicidal Tendencies decided to hang it up. A pair of compilations were issued in 1997: a best-of set, Prime Cuts, plus Friends & Family. Muir and Trujillo continued to issue further Infectious Grooves releases (Sarsippius' Ark and Groove Family Cyco), in addition to Muir pursuing a solo career under the alias of Cyco Miko (Lost My Brain Once Again) and Trujillo touring and recording as part of Ozzy Osbourne's solo band (appearing on Osbourne's 2001 release, Down to Earth). Muir formed a new version of Suicidal Tendencies in the late '90s (with Clark being the only other familiar face), resulting in such further studio releases as 1999's Freedumb and 2000's Free Your Soul and Save My Mind. Muir and Trujillo joined forces once more for a fourth Infectious Grooves studio release in 2000, Mas Borracho; while another Cyco Miko release surfaced, Schizophrenic Born Again Problem Child, along with a follow-up up to their earlier compilation, Friends & Family, Vol. 2. Now the band will be back with their new album soon......

LIFE OF AGONY, a name not easily forgotten. There was always something unique and interesting about this band that has kept fans enthralled for over a decade. Whether it was the intensity of their live performances or the haunting melodies & lyrical content, this group radiated a passion and emotion that struck a chord in the hearts of misunderstood youth all over the world. Perhaps, it was the underlying message of strength, hidden within the group's tales of despair that made such an impact on people. For most listeners, understanding that the songs came from a genuine place, based on actual experiences made the message really hit home, that they were not alone.

New York's crossover legends LIFE OF AGONY spawned in the summer of 1989, tearing through the underground scene with an undeterred aggression, obtaining a loyal and devoted cult audience in the process. The outfit caught Roadrunner Record's eye and the band quickly signed to the independent label. The band recruited longtime friend and producer Josh Silver (of the platinum-selling goth/metal act Type O Negative) to guide them, creating the now classic, debut album, 1993's "River Runs Red." The band toured relentlessly for years building a die-hard fanbase. With each following record, 1995's "Ugly" and 1997's "Soul Searching Sun" the group seemed to morph and evolve, using different approaches and textures while never losing sight of the distinct elements that made them who they were. LOA toured with the likes of Ozzy Osbourne, Korn, Limp Bizkit, System of a Down and Incubus with great success in support of their 3 studio efforts.

The LOA band members had been good friends since early childhood, and remained as closely knit as a family. Like all families do, they shared internal problems and conflicts from time to time. Unfortunately, the group ended up imploding over a series of decisions involving member changes, personal issues and differences in musical direction. Original drummer Sal Abruscato exited in 1995 and lead vocalist Keith Caputo left the group in 1997. Remaining members, guitarist Joey Z and bassist Alan Robert, struggled to rekindle the fire that once drove the group by collaborating with new players, but finally decided to call it quits in 1999.

For just two nights, January 3rd and 4th of 2003, the magic happened again. LOA announced a one-time only reunion show, with all four original members together again on stage for the first time since 1995. After the first date sold out in under 20 minutes, a second show was announced to ensure that more fans would get a chance to witness the historic occasion. Ask bassist Alan Robert his thoughts on the reunion and he will tell you, "After all we've been through together, it's apparent that we have a rare and special chemistry that cannot be duplicated." Guitarist Joey Z states, "We always did what we did because we are fans of the music first." LIFE OF AGONY was a cornerstone of the New York heavy music scene, respected by peers and fans alike. The group cites collective influences as diverse as Radiohead, Metallica, Pink Floyd, and Black Sabbath. While you can hear those various influences in LIFE OF AGONY, you can hear touches of LOA in some of today's more popular bands.

January 3rd & 4th 2003, not only marked a turning point for this influential band, but their reunion shows have opened the door to a whole new chapter in the LOA saga. LIFE OF AGONY, who have long been considered, as gone but not forgotten, are back as a force to be reckoned with. The future of the group looks bright, as the band members are very excited to be playing and writing together again. The problems that the band experienced which lead to their demise seem to be rectified. LOA have been toured throughout 2003-4 in support of their SPV Records double-live album/DVD release "River Runs Again: Live 2003," and hit the studio to record their full-length studio album, Broken Valley at the end of 2004.

The latest LIFE OF AGONY album was released through Epic Records on June 14th 2005. The record features tracks such as "Love To Let You Down", "The Day He Died" and Wicked Ways, commemorating their triumphant return.

To learn more or to donate, visit www.myspace.com/builtonrespect or www.BuiltOnRespect.com. New York had the Ramones. Los Angeles has PENNYWISE, the most significant hardcore band to emerge from SoCal punk’s second wave. As it celebrates it 20th anniversary, the Hermosa Beach band is doing things its own way, taking on a brave new world by linking up with MySpace Records and offering its latest album, REASON TO BELIEVE free to fans for two weeks. Starting on March 25, P-Dub fans can grab a high-quality download of the Cameron Webb-produced, 14-track album, arguably the band’s fiercest record in a decade. Not surprising from a band that has always forged its own destiny, it’s an Internet first--marking the first time a U.S. record label has provided an artist with the opportunity to offer a new album free of charge and the first time MySpace has offered a full album download with a worldwide push.

PENNYWISE formed in 1988, when punk couldn’t be less popular and hair bands were a sign o’ the times. Its four members quickly developed a style entirely their own--a tsunami of California hardcore, melodic surf punk and optimistic anthems that went against the seek-and-destroy ethos of its era. PENNYWISE garnered a nationwide following through constant touring--they’ve done the Vans Warped Tour so many times they’ve got permanent road rash--as well as numerous snowboard, skate and surf videos. After nine albums, PENNYWISE is best-known for its pounding rant “Fuck Authority,” searing soul-searcher “Alien,” and their ode to brotherhood, “Bro Hymn,” an autobiographical song that pays tribute to its founding bass player, Jason Thirsk, who committed suicide in 1996. Currently, the new single “The Western World” is the most requested song on KROQ 106.7, L.A.’s No. 1 modern rock station and already in heavy rotation.

Despite the early loss of Thirsk, the union of vocalist JIM LINDBERG, guitarist FLETCHER DRAGGE and drummer BYRON McMACKIN, high school friends from Hermosa, ran too deep to quit while they were ahead and they signed on bassist RANDY BRADBURY and continued putting out albums that went straight for the American jugular--politically-charged, culturally relevant, unflinchingly honest and consummately independent.

Among the band’s studio albums are its eponymous Epitaph debut (1991) and 1993’s Unknown Road, which revealed the full potency of what they had to offer. Before recording its third album in early 1995, PENNYWISE was hit up by the majors. It was, after all, hot on the heels of the “year punk broke,” but the band stayed true to its roots and remained on SoCal’s independent Epitaph Records. The resulting album, About Time, remains till this day one of the greatest punk records of all time. By 1996, when PENNYWISE was recording its fourth album, Thirsk took time off to deal with alcohol addiction but tragically, he never came back. He died July 29, 1996, eight years after the band’s inception. The albums that followed--Full Circle (1997), Straight Ahead (1999), Land of the Free (2001), From the Ashes 2003 and The Fuse (2005)--revealed a band that just got harder and more political over time, as the world of music got softer and less interested.

With REASON TO BELIEVE, hardcore fans and newcomers alike will see first hand that punk bands may come and go, but Pennywise is forever.

Gorilla Biscuits was a New York straight edge hardcore punk band on Revelation Records. Gorilla Biscuits all started out when Arthur met Civ because they were both living in New York and going to the same high school. They were both into hardcore from hearing Agnostic Front. They got into it and started going to shows at CBGB's on the weekends. This was where they met people like Ray Cappo and Porcell.

Walter wanted to start a band and asked Civ to sing. Civ had no interest in singing and always had to face the floor or wall while doing it. The guys from Token Entry hooked them up with a show and needed to know the name of the band. The drug of choice in their neighborhood were these big ludes which people called "gorilla biscuits" because they were so huge, mainly meaning "ape shit". They were just going to call themselves that until they changed it, but it pretty much stuck.

The start was kind of rough. They made crappy demo tapes which included the song "Slut", on it. They were cheap tapes bought at a dollar store which had no cases, so they just cut and pasted some stuff onto a piece of paper and copied them. The first shirts were blue with a gorilla riding a skateboard. they were done using a black magic marker and a ink blotter. At the first Gorilla Biscuits show Civ wore camo pants and a green hooded sweatshirt.

Later, Jordan Cooper, the front man of Revelation Records, who then lived in CT, put out a Gorilla Biscuits 7" which later became a hardcore hit along with other hardcore classics. The almighty G.B. then toured the States and Europe twice. The first time they went to Europe they were getting spit on and stuff thrown at them. By the second time they went there a straight-edge scene had started and it was better. On their final U.S. tour, Start Today, had just hit stores two days before. It was great for the band. Sadly enough, they played their last show later that year in Buffalo, New York. Now pretty much all the members are in CIV. Civ now owns a tattoo studio in New York City and is also the singer for CIV. Walter went on to form Quicksand and after that helped produce CIV's first album, Quicksand has recently gotten back together. Arthur went to CIV also.

Guitarist Walter Schreifels' later musical endeavors include Quicksand, Rival Schools, and Walking Concert. Civ became the singer for eponymic hardcore punk group CIV and is currently the owner of a Long Island tattoo studio called Lotus Tattoo.

The band played a reunion show on August 14, 2005 at CBGB in New York, New York as a benefit to save CBGB from financial problems.

In 2006, it was reported on Punknews.org that the band had plans to reissue their seminal recording, 'Start Today The album was originally released in 1989 and will be remastered and feature in depth liner notes written by Walter Schreifels, it will also feature a DVD of the CBGB's reunion show from August of 2005.

Also set for 2006 is a month-long reunion tour which will feature an exclusive 7-inch only available on tour stops.