Nostalgia: A sentimental longing or wistful affection for the past, typically for a period or place with happy personal associations. Nostalgia has been shown to counteract loneliness, boredom, and anxiety. It makes people more generous to strangers and more tolerant of outsiders. A quick way to induce nostalgia is through music.
Back in 2020 in celebration of the band’s 40th anniversary and the commemorative reissue of their celebrated landmark record Group Sex, the Circle Jerks planned to return to the stage for the first time in over a decade. Then a little thing called COVID forced the tour to be canceled as theaters went dark. Finally last Saturday the tour stop at The Ogden Theatre happened and we got to celebrate the 40th anniversary of not only their first album but the second album as well.
Accidents happen, but the accidental conception of the raw and fierce punk band OFF! in 2009 has, so far, rendered no regrets. With over thirty years of experience under his belt, legendary Circle Jerks / Black Flag singer Keith Morris fronts OFF! with his signature style of brutal and confrontational vocals. Meanwhile, Steven McDonald of Redd Kross handles low-end duties and Mario “Ruby Mars” Rubalcaba of Earthless, Rocket from the Crypt, and Hot Snakes, takes on the drummer post.