October 23: Circle Jerks, "Golden Shower Of Hits"

Artist: Circle Jerks
Album: Golden Shower Of Hits
Year: 1983
Label: Allegiance


Though the hardcore movement unquestionably began on the East coast of the U.S., there is similarly little doubt that a majority of the most intense and often violent hardcore bands came from the opposite side of the country. For whatever reason, the beach towns of southern California were able to yield a brand of hardcore music that took the aggression and rebellion of the genre and pushed it to a level never before heard. While groups like Black Flag and The Germs definitely had their share of anger in their music, there was one band that was in their own universe when it came to rage and violence within their music and crowd, Circle Jerks. Taking the attitude of The Sex Pistols and the speed and sparse arrangements of The Ramones and then fusing it with the pure aggression and fury of the local surf/skate scene, the intensity behind the music of Circle Jerks truly remains unrivaled to this day. Paving the way for later bands like Dropkick Murphys, Pennywise, and even The Offspring, Circle Jerks remain one of the most highly respected bands on their generation. Releasing three phenomenal records before changing their lineup, easily their finest work was the final release of this trio, Circle Jerks' magnificent 1983 record, Golden Shower Of Hits.

Circle Jerks formed in late 1979 after singer Keith Morris abruptly left Black Flag and founded the new group with later Bad Religion guitarist, Greg Heston. Bringing a bit more musicality to the sound, as well as making the songs slightly longer, Morris kept the same attitude and ferocity of his previous band. While Golden Shower Of Hits is easily the most musical Circle Jerks album, it is perhaps best known for the simultaneously strange and sensational title track. While at first listen, "Golden Shower of Hits (Jerks on 45)" may seem just nothing more than a silly grouping of covers of different songs, the six different songs that are played on the track actually form a completely new song. Covering The Association, The Carpenters, Starland Vocal Band, Paul Anka, Captain & Tennille, and Tammy Wynette, the song is easily one of the most unique compositions in the history of music. The "new" song that Circle Jerks create becomes a tale of young love, teen pregnancy, a shotgun wedding, and a divorce and there has simply never been anything similar ever recorded. In many ways, this is the true genius behind Circle Jerks, as they can take some of the most cheesy songs ever, and turn them into something new and dark. Truthfully, "Golden Shower of Hits (Jerks on 45)" is such a fantastic moment in music history, that it must be experienced firsthand to be properly appreciated.

While the attitude and overall musical approach of Morris' previous band is intact, the new musicians by whom he is surrounded have their own unique style, and each band member is a legend in his own right. Easily one of the most legendary punk guitarists in history, Greg Heston alternated between Redd Kross and Circle Jerks throughout a majority of the 1980's. Later founding punk supergroup, Black President, his style and tone have been mimicked, but unequaled for decades. Playing with a stunning amount of energy and style, bassist Roger Rogerson redefined the position in many ways. From his playful solo that closes, "When The Shit Hits The Fan," to his grinding and often menacing playing throughout the rest of the album, Rogerson remains one of hardcore and punks' elite musicians. Rounding out the band is drummer extraordinaire, John Ingram. Having worked with everyone from Ben Harper to Patti LaBelle, one would be hard pressed to find a musician with a more diverse recorded catalog. The combination of Rogerson and Ingram create easily one of the most powerful rhythm sections in history, and it is very much their sound that is credited as the birthplace of the "slam" style of punk rock. Even when the band members sound slightly disjointed, it is quickly apparent that this was pruposeful, and it fits perfectly on every song.

At the core of the sound of Circle Jerks lies the unparalleled vocal style of Keith Morris. Having already solidified himself as a legend on Black Flag's Nervous Breakdown EP, Morris has one of the most distinctive and mesmerizing voices in music history. Pushing the limits on the spoken-singing style, the power and emotion behind Morris' vocals are truly unrivaled. With his voice landing somewhere between Jello Bifara and Mike Muir, there has never been another vocalist with the attitude and pure vocal brilliance of Keith Morris. From only a quick listen to any of the songs found on Golden Shower Of Hits, it is immediately apparent why Circle Jerks' shows were notorious for the level of mayhem, as Morris has the perfect vocal approach for whipping a crowd into a frenzy. Much like his vocals, the song titles and lyrics therein leave nothing to question, as like many punk and hardcore bands, "subtlety" was of no use to Circle Jerks. With titles like "Parade Of The Horribles" and "Product Of My Environment," the songs are straight to the point and completely devoid of filler in any sense of the world. In one of the greatest and most high-octane rally cries ever, the group gets slightly political when on "Coup d' Etat," Morris preaches, "...the government can't stop a throng, struck strong...let us through, pulverize...new comes in..." With to the point lyrics delivered in a forceful and captivating manner by Keith Morris, much like his previous band, Circle Jerks compose the perfect soundtrack for a full-scale riot.

Whether it is a rapid, hard hitting song like "In Your Eyes" or a heavy metal, Sabbath-esque track like "Rats Of Reality," Circle Jerks completely re-wrote the books on both the punk and hardcore genre. Easily one of the most intense and fierce groups in music history, their music is unapologetic and unrelenting, as the band pummels the listener over and over throughout every one of their albums. With the phenomenal rhythm section of Rogerson and Ingram, the group is all over the place with the song tempo, moving from deep grooves to out of hand, lightning fast punk classic. Greg Heston's guitar playing has rarely sounded more authentic, and there is not a moment anywhere on Golden Shower Of Hits where his playing is anything short of extraordinary. Rounded out by the absolutely tremendous vocal stylings of Keith Morris, Circle Jerks remain one of the most highly respected and unequaled bands of their generation. With song themes ranging from the simplistic ideas of "Junk Mail" to cutting social critiques and angst-ridden anthems, Circle Jerks present everything that makes punk and hardcore so enjoyable. Though the lineup would go through many changes in the years to come, the quartet featured on Circle Jerks' 1983 album, Golden Shower Of Hits, is by far their finest, and the resulting album stands today as one of the most pivotal and awe-inspiring records ever recorded.



Standout tracks: "Parade Of The Horribles," "Coup d' Etat," and "Golden Shower of Hits (Jerks on 45)."