Q: What the hell is this?
A: Well, hello to you, too! We are Black Fag, an absolutely FABULOUS tribute to Black Flag. Have you ever wondered what Black Flag's songs would sound like if they were performed by the most limp-wristed nancy boys (and one of the grittiest bull dykes) around? If so, come and rock with us as we lisp and mince our way through all the classics!
Q: Isn't there another band called Black Fag?
A: We've found evidence of at least four others, so I guess we're not as creative as we originally thought, but we're the only ones who actually play Black Flag songs, so we figure we deserve the name as much as the rest of them. And once you take sassiness into account, we deserve it more than ANYONE!
Q: Do you play "Six Pack"? What about "Rise Above"? Ooh, ooh, or what about...
A: You'll have to come out (just like we all did) and see!
Q: Don't I recognize all of you from some other bands?
A: I'm sure I don't know what you're talking about.
Q: Are you guys actually gay?
A: That's really none of your business, sweetheart.
Q: Then, are you anti-gay?
A: A big, fat, carbo-loaded, Oprah-sized NO. We're just having fun with stereotypes. We're playing CHARACTERS on stage. It's performance art. The statement? Gay stereotypes are funny and Black Flag is the bitchiest band that ever was. But on top of that, we're challenging the rules of Political Correctness and daring people to become offended and then to ask themselves why. Is it because straight people shouldn't play gay characters? We're obviously not the first to tread that ground. Is it because you think homosexuality is a sin and were celebrating something that the Bible deems evil? In that case, please wrap a plastic bag around your head and do humanity a favor. Is it because you're a big Black Flag fan and you feel were ruining their image? Jesus, get a grip you fucking pussy. Punk is about thinking for oneself and challenging the status quo. We have nothing but love and respect for both Black Flag and the gay community and our intent is not to insult or demean. But just to be on the safe side, we, as a rule, will be donating 10f any profits we make from our CD sales to the
Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (G.L.A.A.D.) and/or other related advocacy groups, and we will happily play any benefit concert where the proceeds go to a gay- or AIDS-related charity. Hopefully, these humble gestures will help to offset any damage we may unwittingly be doing to the gay community, and hopefully it will prove to the naysayers that we aren't, in fact, homophobic assholes.
Q: Wait a minute! AIDS-related charity? Are you saying that AIDS is a gay disease?! You ARE homophobes after all! I knew it!
A: Chill out there, Chester. The fact is that
the vast majority of new HIV infections in the U.S. afflict gay males. I know the Christian Right abuses this fact as a means to defend their irrational fear and loathing of gay people, so I hate to admit it as much as anyone else, but it is, unfortunately, a fact. By pretending that HIV/AIDS affects everyone equally, money and resources are being diverted from preventing HIV amongst gay people and are being channeled towards those who are at a drastically lower risk of catching it. In other words, Political Correctness is actually killing people. Chew on THAT for a second. If we wanna get rid of the disease, we have to start being more honest about how to best prevent it.
Q: Since I'm a big know-it-all, I feel I must point out that the HIV/AIDS rate in Africa is way higher than it is here in the States, so why arent you trying to combat HIV/AIDS over there instead?
A: We've chosen our battle. You are welcome to start a band called Sub-Saharan African Fag and fight your own.
Q: But...but...
A: Look, there is obviously a place for cultural sensitivity in this world, but there's also a place for having fun and breaking the rules. So just chill out, develop a sense of humor, and enjoy the show!
Q: Don't you wish people were smarter and less uptight so you didn't have to explain all this bullshit?
A: You better believe it, honey.