Iconic Black Flag logo explored in new documentary 'The Art of Punk'

A new series of documentaries on the role of art in punk rock kicks off with a look at the iconic four bars of California hardcore heroes Black Flag.

The first instalment of ‘The Art of Punk’ sees original Black Flag vocalist Keith Morris, man mountain Henry Rollins, and Red Hot Chili Peppers-cum-Atoms for Peace bassist Flea all waxing lyrical on the cultural significance of the industrial-minimalist logo designed in 1977 by Raymond Pettibon.

“When art and action come together, it’s like a zeitgeist of a moment that’s very powerful,” says Flea of the image and its initial impact on the nascent punk scene.

Pettibon, who is also credited with naming the band, and who is revered by Rollins as a “genius,” is modest and coolly lackadaisical when speaking to filmmakers Bryan Ray Turcotte and Bo Bushnell from his studio. He offers the sage advice that ”if you have a band, you have to have a name.”

Of his ingenuity in creating the four bars- a waving flag, as the young Rollins could not grasp- Pettibon is reluctant to take “too much credit.” “90% of the motherfuckers would come up with the same scheme,” he says.

Watch the documentary in full below:

[via FACT]