Circle Jerks
UC Theatre, Berkeley
August 26, 2022
Photos by Raymond Ahner
Now almost a year in, the reunited Circle Jerks continue to trek on during their 85-date U.S. Tour, and recently pulled their “vintage” tour bus up to the UC Theatre in Berkeley for two sold out nights, giving the venue a healthy dose of American hardcore. And judging from the crowd’s reaction, they may need to add a few dates, and extend the tour.
Casually strolling onto the stage while surveying the audience, frontman Keith Morris introduced the latest incarnation of the band (Greg Hetson on guitar, Zander Schloss on bass, and Joey Castillo on drums) before tearing into “Deny Everything.” From there, Morris and the band tore through a thirty-plus song setlist that featured songs from almost every era of the band. Highlights included “Beverly Hills,” “When the Shit Hits the Fan,” “Wild in the Streets,” and, of course, “Live Fast Die Young.” Closing their set with the classic “Red Tape,” the band took a very brief break before returning with a three -song encore, wrapping up the evening with the quintessential punk rock anthem, “Question Authority.”
Support for the Circle Jerks on both nights came from The Descendents, the long running Southern California punk band whose history is almost as storied as that of the Circle Jerks. With frontman Milo Aukerman leading the way, the band ripped through a 28 setlist in approximately 45 minutes, and highlights included “Suburban Home,” “Clean Sheets,” “When I Get Old,” and “I’m Not a Punk.”
Here’s a slideshow with more photos of both bands by Raymond Ahner:
Circle Jerks
Circle Jerks
Circle Jerks
The Descendents
The Descendents
The Descendents
The Descendents
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