GREG GINN On BLACK FLAG's New Lineup Getting Hate: "There's Always Somebody In Their Mom's Basement That Knows How To Run The World"

You may have noticed that Black Flag recently returned to the world as founding guitarist Greg Ginn (in his 70s now) alongside three kids in their 20s – Max Zanelly on vocals, David Rodriguez on bass, and Bryce Weston on drums. This new iteration of Black Flag has been touring since June 2025 and apparently has been working on a new record as well.

Naturally this lineup has caught some heat online – doubly so considering Black Flag has had about 10,000 former members around Ginn – though Ginn tells The New York Times that he doesn't really give a shit: "I mainly listen to people that come to our shows, and I care about what they think. Because there's always somebody in their mom's basement on a keyboard that knows how to run the world."

And I guess I feel the same way about this that I do about every other band that's ever reunited with a bunch of non-classic members – whatever. Someone out there is stoked to see this live, but it ain't me. They can go, I won't, all is right with the world or whatever.

In the same interview, Zanelly also notes that he's literally never been in a band before: "The first day at practice. I was like, 'Yo, I've never screamed into a mic before.' I remember driving home from my waitressing job and losing my voice in the car because I would be screaming the Black Flag songs."

So how'd she get the job? Ginn said he saw her screaming along in the front row of a Black Flag show and "she was the only person I could imagine doing it."

At least Ginn isn't subjecting anyone to those What The… songs anymore, if Setlist.fm is to be believed. Anyway, go see Black Flag Version Whatever at one of the many dates below.

11/20 Gainesville, FL The Wooly
11/21 Mount Dora, FL Mount Dora Music Hall
11/22 Fort Lauderdale, FL Culture Room
11/23 Jacksonville, FL The Albatross (fka The Underbelly)
11/25 Austin, TX Come and Take It Live
11/28 Mexico City, MX Fück Off Room
11/29–11/30 Zapopan, MX Tattoo Music Fest 2025 (Pabellon Cultural Universitario de la U de G)
1/10 Colorado Springs, CO Black Sheep
1/13 Reno, NV The Underground
1/15 San Diego, CA House of Blues San Diego
1/16 West Hollywood, CA Roxy Theatre
1/17 San Jose, CA The Ritz
1/18 Roseville, CA Goldfield Trading Post (11:00 AM)
1/18 Roseville, CA Goldfield Trading Post (7:00 PM)
1/20 Seattle, WA El Corazon
1/24 Fresno, CA Strummer’s
1/25 Las Vegas, NV Backstage Bar & Billiards
1/28 Tucson, AZ 191 Toole
1/29 Pioneertown, CA Pappy + Harriet’s
1/30 Santa Ana, CA The Observatory
1/31 Fontana, CA Stage Red
4/10 Glendale, AZ The 44 Sports Grill & Nightlife
4/10–4/12 Indio, CA Coachella 2026 (Weekend One)
4/17–4/19 Indio, CA Coachella 2026 (Weekend Two)