The Circle Jerks are arguably one of the best bands to represent 1980s Los Angeles punk rock. The only other band that can stand alongside them in that conversation is, of course, the mighty Black Flag.
Here’s a little inside baseball for you. Keith Morris left Black Flag and formed the Circle Jerks with Greg Hetson, who had previously played with Redd Kross. While Black Flag moved forward with singers like Dez Cadena and Henry Rollins, Morris helped launch another essential name in the LA punk scene. Now, decades later, he’s revisiting his roots with “Revenge of Nervous Breakdown,” the Circle Jerks’ first release in more than 30 years.
The new release features four Black Flag classics re-recorded in the Circle Jerks’ own style. Morris was there at the beginning, singing on Black Flag’s early releases, so this is more than just a trip down memory lane. It is a chance to hear these songs through the ears of the band he went on to build.
The four track collection includes “Depression,” “Fix Me,” “Revenge” and “Nervous Breakdown,” with original artwork by Raymond Pettibon. The record was tracked at Tim Armstrong’s studio, The Boat, with Raul “Riff” Cuellar behind the recording.
Fans and collectors will have several formats to choose from, including 7 inch vinyl, compact disc and cassette. The red and black vinyl variant is limited to 800 copies, with hand-numbered sleeves, silk-screened covers, and a handful of signed copies. The white and black splatter edition is limited to 1,000 copies and is exclusive to Futurismo in the UK and EU. The release is being handled by Futurismo in the UK and EU, with the band self releasing it elsewhere. Preorders are available now.
If we know punk collectors, and we do because we are among them, this one could move quickly. We highly recommend grabbing a copy while you can.
We’ve caught the Circle Jerks live several times over the years, and every show has been a blast, packed with wild kids and nonstop circle pits. If you get the chance to see them, they absolutely deliver. With Morris revisiting these Black Flag classics, we’re curious to hear how they translate to the stage and whether this release offers a taste of what fans can expect at an upcoming show.
The band also has a limited merch drop running through Monday, October 26, at 9 p.m. The shirts will not be reprinted, and a few leftover Anaheim Skankman shirts have been added for anyone who missed out the first time.
Upcoming Circle Jerks Tour Dates
November 7: Garden Amp, Garden Grove, California, with The Offspring and Pennywise. Sold out.
November 14: Darker Waves, Huntington Beach, California, with Bad Religion, Smashing Pumpkins, The Mainliners and more.
December 4: Crest Theatre, Sacramento, California, Circle Jerks x Repo Man. Sold out.
December 5: Golden State Theatre, Monterey, California, Circle Jerks x Repo Man.
December 6: The Castro, San Francisco, California, Circle Jerks x Repo Man. Sold out.
December 8: Tower Theatre, Fresno, California, Circle Jerks x Repo Man.
December 11: Palace Theatre, Los Angeles, California, Circle Jerks x Repo Man.
December 12: Gardena Cinema, Gardena, California, Circle Jerks x Repo Man.
Four Black Flag classics, Keith Morris back on the mic and Raymond Pettibon artwork? That’s a pretty damn good recipe for a punk rock collector’s item. Keep an eye on those preorders, and we’ll see you in the pit.