Circle Jerks wasted the Observatory North Park with the help of Gorilla Biscuits and Negative Approach
A legendary lineup descended upon The Observatory on Thursday September 4th for the first of two nights showcasing the enduring power of American punk and hardcore. Headliners Circle Jerks proved their status as an integral part of punk history. Formed in 1979 by vocalist Keith Morris after his departure from Black Flag, the band helped define the early Los Angeles hardcore scene. Their debut album, Group Sex, wrote the blueprint for countless up-and-coming punk bands with its furious, short, and to-the-point songs. This tour, featuring fellow pioneers Negative Approach and Gorilla Biscuits, celebrates these bands’ longevity and highlights their continued importance to the punk and hardcore community, introducing their raw energy to new generations of fans.
Opening the night, Negative Approach delivered a blistering set. Founding member John Brannon’s signature guttural howl led the charge alongside Harry Richardson on guitar and Ron Sakowski on bass. Drummer John Lehl, provided the relentless backbeat that has defined their sound since the early 80s. The earnest punk youth kept pace with that growl and started a deliberately slow, steady skank, staking out the boundaries of the mosh-pit-to-be. Fans enthusiastically shouted along to classics like “Tied Down” and “Nothing,” their raw fury a testament to the timelessness of the band’s material. Negative Approach’s performance never ceased to be an aggressive, no-frills hardcore, warming and limbering up the audience for the excitement ahead.
Next up, New York hardcore icons Gorilla Biscuits took the stage, bringing a different, yet equally powerful, energy to the room. The band’s current touring lineup features vocalist Anthony “Civ” Civarelli, guitarist Walter Schreifels, bassist Arthur Smilios, and drummer Luke Abbey. From the moment they launched into “High Hopes,” the punks of tomorrow shifted into overdrive, launching the wildest circle pit of the night with the most successful stage diving session witnessed at The Observatory in a long time. Die-hard fans literally leapt over each other, crowd surfing their way to belt out every word when Civ held out the mic for them astride the crowd barrier. Gorilla Biscuits’ set showcased their blend of melodic, positive-minded hardcore and was a perfect counterpoint to the raw intensity of Negative Approach.
Finally, Circle Jerks closed out the night with a triumphant performance. The band’s current lineup features founding members Keith Morris on vocals and Greg Hetson on guitar, along with bassist Zander Schloss and veteran drummer Joey Castillo. Morris, a charismatic and engaging frontman, commanded the stage with his signature wit and manic energy, launching into a setlist that spanned their entire career. The crowd responded with a mix of reverence and pure punk rock abandon. The band tore through classics like “Wild in the Streets”, “I, I & I”, and “World Up My Ass”, each song a jolt of energy that kept the mosh pit in constant motion. Castillo’s powerful drumming gave the band a new-found ferocity, while Hetson’s guitar riffs remained as sharp and cutting as ever. The night concluded with a powerful encore that left no doubt about the Circle Jerks’ lasting legacy.
