The band Black Flag probably made the biggest impact on me in terms of the intensity of their music, lyrics, art, and DIY ethos. Black Flag scared me but also transfixed me. Listening to the Let Them Eat Jellybeans comp as a 13-year-old featured Black Flag’s “Police Story,” with its anti-authority hostility, electrified every hair on my body. The lyrics “This fuckin’ city is run by pigs… they take the rights away from all the kids” hit home with me because the cops were already hassling me for skateboarding.
“Police Story” made me want more music by Black Flag, and a friend loaned me their Damaged album. Damaged is a perfect slab of condensed anger, but there is a ton of other great Black Flag material. I’ve collaborated with my friend Glen E. Friedman on many projects. I’m especially excited about these “Your Rules My War” prints coinciding with his latest book release, “What I See,” which features an epic collection of the most iconic photographs ever made of Black Flag and tons of never-before-seen photos.
These prints are based on Glen’s fisheye angles from Black Flag’s show at the Los Angeles Federal Building on July 4, 1983, with Chuck Dukowski & Henry Rollins. Notably, it is the last show original bassist Chuck Dukowski played with Black Flag and in fact, the last time Glen shot them live. The prints are all signed by Henry, Chuck, Glen, and me. Also, check out some of these photos from the book signing last weekend!
–Shepard
Print Details:
“Your Rules My War” (Two Colorways: Blue & Red). 24 x 18 inches. Screenprint on thick cream Speckletone paper. Original Illustration based on photographs by Glen E. Friedman. Signed by Shepard Fairey, Glen E. Friedman, Henry Rollins, and Chuck Dukowski. Numbered edition of 350 per colorway. A limited amount of matching numbered sets will be available for $180. Blue & Red sold separately for $90. Available on Thursday, March 31st @ 10 AM PST at https://store.obeygiant.com/. Max order: 1 per customer/household. ALL SALES FINAL.