Keith Morris might be even wilder on the phone than he is on the concert stage.
During the course of a roughly 30-minute conversation, the punk-rock vocalist moshes his way through a variety of topics, ranging from unseasonably cold weather in Los Angeles (“When I went to bed last night, it was like I could see my breath”) to conspiracy theories (“I love conspiracy theories”) to allergy season (“I have all of the allergies”) to Northern California’s own Streetlight Records (“That’s a great record store”).
Oh, yeah, and he also found time to talk about the Circle Jerks, Morris’ legendary Southern California hardcore punk now embarking on a long-awaited reunion tour. The Circle Jerks feature Morris, guitarist and fellow founding member Greg Hetson, bassist Zander Schloss and drummer Joey Castillo.
Ticket information for all shows can be found at circlejerks.net/tour.
It was a blast to chat with Morris, who has the distinction of being a founding member of two of the genre’s all-time best acts. Before forming the Circle Jerks in 1979, the vocalist helped found the equally legendary Black Flag in 1976.
So, buckle up and enjoy the interview.
Q: I was happy to hear that the Circle Jerks were back and playing shows together. It didn’t happen as originally planned, but, hey, it did happen.
A: This tour has been rebooked twice. We were supposed to, before COVID happened, go out and play all these shows to promote the 40th anniversary of “Group Sex” (the group’s 1980 debut).
But because we waited so long, not only do we get to celebrate 40 years of “Group Sex” but we also get to celebrate 40 years of “Wild in the Streets.”
Q: So, the tour is a celebration of the band’s first two albums — both of which have been recently reissued in deluxe editions.
A: Well, not only is it a celebration of the first two albums, it’s also a celebration of the fact we have aged and that we are still capable of getting up there and maybe looking sort of, kind of like teenagers — maybe with the proper wardrobe and the proper makeup and the right hairstyles.
No, of course, I’m being facetious.
Q: Yeah, I caught that.
A: But not only are we are celebrating the first two records, we are celebrating the fact that we’re still here to be able to do it.
Let’s to do it. Let’s have a party. It’s that time.
What I ask of everybody is just to be considerate — just be considerate of your fellow man.
Q: I can definitely get behind that directive.
A: There are certain people to listen to and there are certain people not to listen to. If you’ve got a good head on your shoulders and you’ve got a good heart, you’re going to make it through all of this.
Yeah, there might be bumps in the road and there might be some hurdles. And you might trip and fall over one of the hurdles while you are running the race, but just go out and do it. But be smart about it. Be intelligent about it.
Q: The Circle Jerks have certainly endured their share of bumps in the road over the years — breakups, different band members, etc.
A: You’ve just got to pick yourself up and brush your shoulders off and get some of the dirt off. And keep on doing what you do.
Q: After 40-plus years in punk rock, you remain quite active — both with the Circle Jerks as well as with the band Off!
A: I’m going to be busy all the way through 2024. And I’m 66-years old. And my knees hurt.
I have a schedule with the (Circle Jerks) where it’s like I can go three nights in a row and then I need a day and a night off just to rest my voice. Because I have such an amazing voice. And I know how to take care of it.
Q: Sounds like you are being facetious again — although you do indeed have an amazing voice, Keith. How does it feel have the Circle Jerks back together again?
A: We’ve made up for some of our differences. I’ve let them know where I stand. When we’re together we kind of look past all of some of the (expletive) that has gone on in the past.
Our situation is we are just making the best of what we have that’s presented to us. Yeah, we could be called opportunists. People could say, “Well, they’re not punk rock. They’re capitalists because they’re only doing this for the money.”
We’ve been doing this a long time. We deserve the opportunity, the chance, to go out and play for whoever wants to come and see us — whoever enjoys our music, whoever likes what we do.
Q: And I’m guessing it’s not just old-school punk fans in the audience.
A: A certain portion of the crowd has been getting younger. Like the dad and the mom are bringing their kids because they played the “Group Sex” album and the kids started jumping around like they would jump around to the Ramones.
There are a lot of kids that are excited about this. And more power to them.
Q: Are you having fun onstage? Does it feel good to be back with the Circle Jerks?
A: At some point in this conversation, did I not mention the Punk Rock Retirement Home? Well, we’re standing at the gate of the Punk Rock Retirement Home. And we’re thinking, “Well, no, I don’t want to go there yet. I’m not really willing to do that.
If I’m still capable of doing what I’m able to do, might as well go out and play.
Q: You won’t get any argument from me.
A: Some people consider us to be opportunists and it’s a cash grab. But the fact of the matter is that there’s a lot of work that goes into this. The athleticism, the physicality, the energy — you don’t just get up and play these songs. There has to be some (expletive) umph behind it.
Why shouldn’t we be allowed to be able to play if we’ve still got the ability to do it? There are all these kids that want to hear it. So, hey, let’s party down.
And if you have any qualms, if you have any complaints, stay home.
Or go see Coldplay.
