CIRCLE JERKS & GORILLA BISCUITS

Circle Jerks emerged from the punk underbelly of LA’s South Bay in 1979.After serving as a co-founder and leadvocalist of Black Flag during the recording of its essentialNervous BreakdownEP, Keith Morris joined forces withformer Redd Kross guitarist Greg Hetson to form what would become Circle Jerks, along with bassist RogerRogerson and jazz drummer Lucky Lehrer. Unlike much of the unapologetic hardcore that seeped through the cracksofAmerican suburbia, the music of the Circle Jerks was thoughtfully steadfast, yet relentless and ferocious in nature.Bringing together a potent, articulate rhythm section with earnest yet oftentimes derisive lyrics and themes, the bandwas thereafter heralded as a leader of the pack-and a force to be reckoned with. Plowing forward with a relentless,tooth-cutting work ethic and a rousing stage presence, the band would soon find itself headlining shows at LA’s5,000-capacity Olympic Auditorium and emblazoned in cult video classics likeDecline of WesternCivilization,Repo Man,New Wave Theatre, andThe Slog Movie. Over the decades, Circle Jerks would release sixstudio albums, including the acclaimedGroup Sex (1980)Wild in the Streets(1982),Golden Shower ofHits(1983),Wonderful(1985), andIV(1987), where they would become a major headliner during the alternativemusic explosion of the 80’s and 90’s. During hiatuses, Morris fronted bands like OFF! and FLAG, while Hetsonplayed guitar in Bad Religion.Bassist ZanderSchloss (The Weirdos, Joe Strummer) has been a member since the1980’s and veteran drummer Joey Castillo (The Bronx, QOTSA, Danzig, BL’AST!, Wasted Youth) completes thelineup as its newest member.