Black Flag and the Birth of DIY Hardcore

This episode traces Black Flag’s 1981 debut, *Damaged*, and the underground infrastructure that birthed hardcore punk in Los Angeles. From the low‑budget basement recording session and SST Records’ independent distribution network to the relentless touring circuit that pushed the music into every all‑ages garage and warehouse, we explore how a handful of musicians built a global scene on DIY grit. We also examine the tension between independence and commercial reach as Black Flag navigated major‑label offers and how the album’s raw sound and political punch helped shape the aesthetic of American hardcore for decades to come.

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