Before Black Flag and Saccharin Trust came on, there was this band (NIGHEIST) made up of members of the two bands and their roadies. They called themselves the Roadie Band but we have come to refer to them as the "Fuck Band" due to their suggestive and at times downright vulgar lyrics. They did four or five heavy metal tunes including my favourite: "Hot Muff". Most people got off on it and realized it was just a joke. I found Mugger, the singer, highly amusing and I've never seen a band bring an audience to their feet so fast.

SACCHARIN TRUST was up next. I had seen them before when they opened up for Black Flag in Washington last December. I didn't like them then but I like them now. I guess the D.C. gig was just a bad night. Earl Liberty, bass, is a giant of a man and shows it. You should have seen him wipe out three punks in Montreal when he did a flip off the stage. Joe Byza plays guitar for Saccharin Trust that gives the band its individual sound. They play hardcore that goes fast then stops then starts up again. Great stuff. Get their "Pagan Icons" ep from SST, eight songs.

BLACK FLAG then took the stage. Black Flag consists of Henry Garfield (or Rollins, whatever) the lead singer, Dex Cadena on rhythm guitar and vocals, Great Ginn on lead guitar, Chuck Dukowski on bass and Emil Johnson on drums. Henry is not knows as "the wild man" for nothing. He is absolutely insane on stage, crawling everywhere, the movement is non-stop. Who cares that their hair is long, it's the music that counts. Anyhow, Black Flag stormed through nineteen songs including "T.V. Party", "Police Story", "Rise Above", "Damaged I", "Nervous Breakdown" and "Fix Me".

Some people found "Damaged I" a little too long and boring, especially when Henry did a little walk on people tables. Sorry folks, if you can't handle the heat, don't go into the kitchen. For my money there isn't a more powerful band in the world today. They give everything back to the audience as was demonstrated with their fifteen minute version of "Louie, Louie" on Sunday night with all the kids singing and dancing in one big happy circle and even Russ Taylor jamming on the drums. All in all, the best show I've ever seen anywhere. They're supposed to be coming back on October and they told me they love Ottawa so that's one show to look forward to.

"No matter who you know or no matter who you fuck, you're still alone." - Henry

[please excuse the crappy photos, I can't find the originals . . .]