If you’ve ever felt like the world was actively trying to crush your spirit, you’ve probably heard "Rise Above." It’s the opening track on Black Flag’s 1981 debut studio album, Damaged. It isn't just a song. Honestly, it’s more like a survival manual set to a frantic, dissonant beat. When Greg Ginn’s jagged guitar riff kicks in, followed by Henry Rollins’ guttural roar, you aren't just listening to music; you're witnessing a pivotal moment where punk rock stopped being a fashion statement and started being a way to endure life.
Black Flag Rise Above basically defined the hardcore ethos. It took the speed of the Ramones and stripped away the pop sensibilities, replacing them with raw, unadulterated frustration. Back in the early eighties, if you were a kid in Hermosa Beach or anywhere in the South Bay, you were likely dealing with police harassment and a society that viewed you as a degenerate. This song gave that feeling a voice. It’s loud. It’s messy. It’s perfect.
The Chaos Behind the Recording of Damaged
Recording Damaged was a nightmare. That's the only way to put it. The band had been through multiple singers—Keith Morris, Ron Reyes, Dez Cadena—before a fan from Washington D.C. named Henry Rollins (then Henry Garfield) jumped on stage and eventually became the permanent frontman.
When they finally got into Unicorn Studios to record, the tension was palpable. Greg Ginn, the primary songwriter and guitarist, was a perfectionist. He practiced for hours on end. He wanted the music to feel claustrophobic. If you listen closely to the production on "Rise Above," it sounds thin but incredibly sharp. That wasn't an accident. They wanted it to hurt a little bit.
The lyrics are simple. "We are tired of your abuse / Try to stop us, it's no use." It’s a middle finger to authority. But it’s also internal. It’s about rising above your own self-doubt. Rollins’ delivery is what sells it. He sounds like he’s about to burst a blood vessel. It’s authentic because the band was actually living it. They were broke, sleeping on floors, and eating dog food just to stay on the road.
Why Greg Ginn’s Guitar Work Was So Weird
Most punk guitarists in 1981 were playing three-chord blues progressions sped up. Ginn didn't care about that. He was influenced by free jazz—guys like Ornette Coleman. He wanted dissonance. In "Rise Above," the solo isn't a "solo" in the traditional sense. It’s a controlled explosion of notes that shouldn't work together but somehow do.
This technical weirdness is why Black Flag Rise Above sounds so much more modern than other songs from that era. It doesn't rely on the "ooh-ooh" backing vocals of the 70s UK scene. It’s heavy. It’s the blueprint for what would eventually become sludge metal and even grunge. Without this song, you don't get Nirvana or Soundgarden. It's that simple.
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The Cultural Impact of the Anthem
You've seen the bars. The four vertical black bars of the Black Flag logo. It’s one of the most tattooed images in the world. Designed by Raymond Pettibon (Greg Ginn’s brother), those bars represent a black flag of anarchy, but they also represent the rhythmic pulse of "Rise Above."
The song became a rallying cry for the DIY (Do It Yourself) movement. Black Flag couldn't get played on the radio. They couldn't get signed to major labels. So, they started SST Records. They booked their own tours. They printed their own flyers. "Rise Above" was the theme song for that independence. It told kids that they didn't need permission from "the man" to create something meaningful.
The police hated them. Seriously. LAPD used to show up to Black Flag shows in riot gear. There was a genuine fear that this music would incite a revolution. And in a way, it did. It revolutionized how music was distributed and consumed.
The Rollins Factor
Henry Rollins brought a physical intensity to the band that changed the live performance landscape. Before Rollins, punk was often about being "cool" or detached. Rollins was a vacuum of intensity. In the music video for "Rise Above" (and subsequent live recordings), he is often shirtless, sweating, and physically confronting the audience.
This wasn't performative. It was a catharsis. For many fans, seeing someone go that hard on stage gave them permission to feel their own anger. It’s why the song still resonates at gym sessions and protests forty years later. It’s high-octane emotional fuel.
Analyzing the Lyrics: More Than Just Anger
"We are born with a chance / Rise above! We're gonna rise above!"
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It’s actually quite optimistic, which is a weird thing to say about a hardcore punk song. Most people focus on the "Jealous cowards try to control / Rise above!" part, but the core message is about potential. It’s an empowerment anthem.
The song addresses the "system," sure, but it also addresses the people within the scene who try to hold you back. The "jealous cowards" aren't just the cops; they’re the people in the next town over or the "friends" who don't want to see you succeed. Black Flag was constantly under attack from within the punk community for changing their sound or for being too disciplined. They practiced more than any other band, often eight hours a day. They "rose above" the lazy stereotypes of punk.
Technical Details for the Gear Heads
If you're trying to replicate that "Rise Above" sound, you're going to struggle. Ginn used a solid-state Ampeg bass head for his guitar to get that specific, cold, crushing tone. He played an Ibanez Roadstar II (though he used various modified guitars). The key wasn't the gear; it was the lack of sustain. He wanted the notes to stop dead.
- Tuning: Standard E.
- Key: Mostly centered around E and F, creating that half-step tension that feels "wrong" but sounds "right."
- Tempo: Fast, but not so fast that it loses the groove. It’s a march.
The drums, played by Robo, are incredibly steady. He provides the anchor that allows Ginn’s guitar to fly off the rails. The bass line by Chuck Dukowski is thick and drives the melody more than the guitar does at points. It’s a masterclass in ensemble playing where everyone has a specific, violent job to do.
Misconceptions About Black Flag and "Rise Above"
A lot of people think Black Flag was just a bunch of angry kids. That’s not true. Ginn was a college graduate with a degree in economics. They were highly intelligent and calculated. "Rise Above" wasn't a random outburst; it was a carefully constructed piece of art designed to provoke.
Another myth is that the song was an instant hit. It wasn't. Damaged was initially rejected by MCA Records because it was deemed "anti-parent." The band had to distribute it themselves. It took years of grueling tours for "Rise Above" to become the legendary track it is today.
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Legacy and Modern Relevance
Why does a song from 1981 still matter in 2026? Because the feeling of being marginalized never goes away. Every generation has its "jealous cowards." Every generation has a "system" that feels rigged.
"Rise Above" has been covered by everyone from Dirty Projectors to Sepultura. It’s been used in movies and documentaries. But it’s best experienced in a sweaty basement with the volume turned up way too high. It reminds us that no matter how much people try to pull you down, you have the agency to stay on top.
The song survives because it is honest. It doesn't offer a fake solution. It doesn't say things will get better on their own. It says you have to rise above. It’s a call to action that requires effort.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Musicians
If you're inspired by the legacy of Black Flag Rise Above, don't just listen to the track. Apply the philosophy behind it to your own life or creative work.
- Embrace the DIY Ethos: Don't wait for a label or a boss to give you the green light. If you have something to say, find a way to say it yourself.
- Value Discipline Over Talent: Black Flag wasn't the most "talented" band in terms of traditional music theory, but they outworked everyone. Practice until your hands bleed.
- Ignore the Critics: If the people around you are trying to "control" your output or tell you what's possible, they are the jealous cowards Rollins was screaming about.
- Focus on Raw Emotion: Whether you're writing a song, a book, or a piece of code, the human element is what makes it stick. Don't polish away the "grit" that makes your work unique.
- Study the Roots: To understand hardcore, you have to listen to Damaged in its entirety. Notice how "Rise Above" sets the tone for the rest of the chaos.
The influence of Black Flag is everywhere. From the way modern bands market themselves on social media to the aggressive sound of modern trap and metalcore, the DNA of "Rise Above" is present. It taught us that the most powerful thing you can do is refuse to be broken.
To truly appreciate the track, look up old live footage from 1982. Watch the way the crowd moves. It’s not just a mosh pit; it’s a collective release of tension. That energy is what "Rise Above" is all about. It’s a 2-minute and 26-second explosion of human will. If you haven't heard it lately, go put it on. Turn it up. Feel the frustration, then let it go. Rise above.