Interviews: Dale Nixon (Black Flag)
Update: APRIL FOOLS! The jig is up. This article is not a real article. We will now resume regular content. Thanks for reading!
Dale Nixon is unquestionably one of the most important figures in punk rock. Nixon made his debut on what Henry Rollins called "the greatest song ever written" -- playing bass for Black Flag's "My War." After playing with Black Flag on the My War album, Nixon moved onto other projects, including playing on The Melvins' Buzz Osborne's solo project and Dag Nasty's Four on the Floor album..
But, Nixon has also been part of controversy, playing at the Black Flag 2003 reunion in lieu of the band's other lauded bassists. Still, at that show, Nixon was mechanically precise, playing his bass lines so well that they sounded almost exactly like the ones on the record.
Recently, former editor Bryne Yancey spotted Nixon at a used electronics store. He immediately called us up and Punknews rushed down to the store to conduct the interview. With a bit of luck, Punknews was able to conduct the FIRST EVER interview with Dale Nixon of Black Flag.
You can click read more to read the conversation which covers the Black Flag reunion, tensions in the band and what's next for Nixon.
Punknews: Dale, we have so much to talk about. Your legacy covers so many important bands, plus, your contribution to punk rock is immeasurable. But, before we even get started, Dale, I have to ask you, are you playing bass on the upcoming Black Flag tour?
Dale Nixon: â¦
P: Mumâs the word is it? Well, I understand. You guys want to build suspense and let people know about stuff when the time is right. Fair enough. Letâs talk about your legacy. What was it like when you first joined Black Flag?
DN: â¦
P: No answer? The experience must have been too intense to reduce to mere words. I understand. Along those lines, you played bass on "My War," which many people consider to be one of the greatest songs ever written. But, while Chuck Dukowski wrote it, you recorded it after he left the band. Was there ever bad blood between Chuck and you about that subject?
DN: â¦
P: Nothing? Well, "if you canât say anything nice, itâs better to say nothing at all. " I get you. You know Dale, you were also a part of the Black Flag 2003 reunion, which received mixed reviews. I know many people were hoping that Chuck Dukowski or Kira Rossler would be there, but, itâs was basically you and Câel Revuelta handling bass the whole time, Was that a positive or negative experience for you?
DN: â¦
P: Still too painful to talk about, huh? I feel you. You know, Dale, you remain the only member of Black Flag to not get kicked out of the band by Greg Ginn. Why do you think you and Greg are able to get along so well, while so many other people butt heads with him?
DN: â¦
P: No answer to that, either? Okay, let me throw you a soft ball. How are the writing sessions for the new album going?
DN: â¦
P: Câmon Dale, Iâm really trying to work with you here. Look, what do you want to talk about?
DN: â¦
P: Nothing?
DN: â¦
P: You know, Dale, Iâve been pretty cool with you. Iâm a fan. Iâve asked you lots of questions about all the great stuff that youâve done, but youâve been nothing but elusive and dismissive this whole interview. I mean, have I offended you or something?
DN: â¦
P: Fine, Dale! If you want to be that way, then go ahead and be that way!
DN: â¦
P: Screw you! This interview is over! You can go to hell!
DN: â¦