White Flag

(Note: this is the page I made for the band when I was supposed to do the reissue. Even though I didn't end up doing it, I've decided to put up the page anyway.)

Another band who, in my opinion, should need no introduction... Formed in Sunnymeade, CA in 1982, White Flag flew in the face of the complacency and status quo that had settled into the original Los Angeles punk rock scene. By '82, the original "no rules" ethos of hardcore/punk had become a clearly-regimented set of can and cannots, an establishment itself where it was originally supposed to counter such things. White Flag proceeded to piss all over this rather depressing situation with stinging sarcasm, insolent humor, and an embracing of musical styles and bands that were very much "uncool" at the time. Their covers of Black Sabbath, Cheap Trick, Blue Oyster Cult, even the Beatles, served to piss off the hardcore dorks and show their good taste and talent at the same time. Originally a five piece, fronted by the legendary Al Bum ("the most obnoxious and untalented person we knew" according to bassist Doug Graves), the former frontman's signature attribute was his disturbingly similar appearance to one Ozzy Osbourne, then the antithesis of what "punk" stood for. Clad in trademark fringed "Ozzy" outfits, with waist length hair and crosses galore, the band proceeded to confound both rock and punk audiences with complete genre crossover confusion. The result was, as Pat Fear puts it, "the real process of weeding out". The band soon developed a large following, including members of other groups in the L.A. area. Members of the Bangles, Social Distortion, Bad Religion, Redd Kross, the Germs and the Adolescents, to name a few, made guest appearances on their 1984 LP "Third Strike", which sold more than 30,000 copies. The subsequent tour and 3-sided LP "Feeding Frenzy" proved to be Al Bum's last stand with the band. The group went on to record their most popular LP "Wild Kingdom" with original drummer Pick Z. Stix on guitar and vocals. As the years passed, numerous friends and fans have drifted in and out of the band, including members of the Muffs and Redd Kross. Recently, Pat has been writing with Go-Go's legend, Charlotte Caffey, as well as Ken Stringfellow of the Posies, and also played on the Melvins "Houdini" LP. The band returned to Sweden in august 1994 for their first European shows since the successful 1986 European tour. The band did a bigger tour in Spain in September 1997. In the past few years, the band has been active again writing and recording new material, releasing the album "Eternally Undone" in 2002. WHITE FLAG 20 YEARS!!!

It's back! The classic White Flag "Police Story" t-shirt! 20th Anniversary Edition with the classic Black Flag parody art (as seen on everyone from Rollins and Keith Morris, from Greg Hetson to the Bangles to Ian Astbury over the last 20 years!) with the 20th Anniversary logo on back! Email John Haley for ordering info!

NEW! For the first time ever! White Flag "Police Story" graphic skateboard decks! High quality wood with silk screened black and white art! Skate for Team Cleocin! Email John Haley for details and deck sizes.