Rebel Ink
March 2014
Barred for Life (PM Press) catalogues the legacy of Punk Rock pioneers Black Flag through stories, interviews, and photographs of diehard fans who wear their iconic logo, The Bars, conspicuously tattooed on their skin. Author Stewart Ebersole provides a personal narrative describing what made the existence of Punk Rock such an important facet of his and many other people’s lives and the role that Black Flag’s actions and music played in soundtracking the ups and downs of living as cultural outsiders.
The paperback book includes amazing black-and-white portraits shot by Philadelphia photographer Jared Castaldi that provide visual testimony to Black Flag’s Punk-pioneering role. Nearly four hundred “Barred” fans lined up, smiled/frowned for Castaldi’s camera and issued their stories for the permanent record.
Barred for Life expands its own scope by presenting interviews with former Black Flag members and those closer to the band. Inside you’ll find interviews with alumni Dez Cadena, Ron Reyes, Kira Roessler, Keith Morris, and Chuck Dukowski, as well as photographers Glen E. Friedman and Ed Colver, and the man responsible for tattooing The Bars on more than a few Black Flag players, Rick Spellman. Their testaments spotlight aspects of Black Flag’s vicious live performances, forward-thinking work ethic, and indisputable reputation for acting as champions of the Punk Rock culture they helped to create.
Back to Stewart Dean Ebersole’s Author Page | Back to Jared Castaldi’s Artist Page
