In celebration of the band’s 40th anniversary and the commemorative reissue of their celebrated landmark record Group Sex, Circle Jerks have returned to the stage for the first time in over a decade.
Decades later, their music continues to make an imprint on generations of diverse music fans and those who challenge the status quo. The long list of those influenced by the legacy of the Circle Jerks ranges from Butthole Surfers to Red Hot Chili Peppers - with notable fans being Dogtown skateboarders, Chuck Berry, Alice Cooper, Elton John, Johnny Depp, Guns N’ Roses, and Philip K. Bassist Zander Schloss (The Weirdos, Joe Strummer) has been a member since the 1980’s and veteran drummer Joey Castillo (The Bronx, QOTSA, Danzig, BL’AST!, Wasted Youth) completes the lineup as its newest member. During hiatuses, Morris fronted bands like OFF! and FLAG, while Hetson played guitar in Bad Religion. Over the decades, Circle Jerks would release six studio albums, including the acclaimed Group Sex (1980) Wild in the Streets (1982), Golden Shower of Hits (1983), Wonderful (1985), and IV (1987), where they would become a major headliner during the alternative music explosion of the 80’s and 90’s. Plowing forward with a relentless, tooth-cutting work ethic and a rousing stage presence, the band would soon find itself headlining shows at LA’s 5,000-capacity Olympic Auditorium and emblazoned in cult video classics like Decline of Western Civilization, Repo Man, New Wave Theatre, and The Slog Movie. Bringing together a potent, articulate rhythm section with earnest yet oftentimes derisive lyrics and themes, the band was thereafter heralded as a leader of the pack - and a force to be reckoned with. Unlike much of the unapologetic hardcore that seeped through the cracks of American suburbia, the music of the Circle Jerks was thoughtfully steadfast, yet relentless and ferocious in nature. I’d say after a night of over 30 songs including “Wild in the Streets”, “When The Shit Hits The Fan”, and “World Up My Ass” everyone in the audience got what they came for.Circle Jerks emerged from the punk underbelly of LA’s South Bay in 1979. After serving as a co-founder and lead vocalist of Black Flag during the recording of its essential Nervous Breakdown EP, Keith Morris joined forces with former Redd Kross guitarist Greg Hetson to form what would become Circle Jerks, along with bassist Roger Rogerson and jazz drummer Lucky Lehrer. Keith explained they would be playing songs in blocks to keep themselves from tiring out. There were some friendly jabs taken at each other and some light banter with the crowd which made it fun during these breaks. The Circle Jerks opened with “Deny Everything” and instantly whipped the crowd into a frenzy. They went straight through about four songs, before taking a break. He did reassure the crowd that they all tested negative. Photo by Jason Hoffman.ħSeconds were supposed to follow Negative Approach but the crowd was informed by Keith Morris (lead singer) of the Circle Jerks that unfortunately 7seconds and their (Circle Jerks) soundman couldn’t make the show due to Covid. The crowd that was smashed against the barricade were screaming right along with him. John Brannon wearing his trademark scowl blasted through fan favorites like “Friend Or Foe” and “Sick of Talk”. A Google ngram shows circle jerk appearing at a low level in the mid-1900s and then shooting up starting in the late 1960s to mid-1970s its use is still growing at a stiff rate. The first band up this evening was none other than Detroit’s own Negative Approach which was formed in the early 80’s. Desde su creación, el grupo ha sufrido dos rupturas, en 1989 y 1996. La banda abanderó, junto a Dead Kennedys y Black Flag, la escena musical hardcore californiana de finales de los años 70. The Circle Jerks are out on tour (a couple years late, thanks to Covid) supporting what would have been 40 years since the release of their debut album Group Sex. Circle Jerks es una banda de hardcore punk formada en Hermosa Beach, California por Keith Morris y Greg Hetson en 1979. Photo by Jason Hoffman.Ī totally sold-out, multi-aged crowd at The Crofoot in Pontiac, MI were waiting in anticipation for the triple threat of punk-rock that was about to blow the roof off the place. Live Review: The Circle Jerks at Crofoot, Pontiac, Michigan-The North American Tour – MaKeith Morris of Circle Jerks.
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