How do you feel about the current music scene in L.A.?
My feelings towards the L.A. scene vary from time to time but ultimately you can have all of these different cities rising up and becoming “hot spots” and it still comes back to L.A. for me. Did I just pull off a Kellyanne whatshername by evading the question? Just look at the musical history of this town from the bands that came out of Laurel Canyon in the 60’s thru the late 70’s punk rock movement, the paisley underground to the Silver Lake and more recent Smell scenes. Our musical output is as good if not better than anywhere else, including now.
Where did you see yourself at this age when
you were 20?
I certainly wasn’t thinking in terms of, “Is this what I’m going to do for the rest of my life?” Maybe I was leaning towards racing through my youth and dealing with it later on. I was having too much fun to consider the consequences and repercussions.
Who are you currently listening to and reading?
I’m listening to the Boston Tea Party, both Plague Vendor records, Let’s Eat Grandma, Cannonball Adderly, the Monorchid, Blossom Toes as recommended by Robert Pollard of Guided By Voices and Boston Spaceships. Also on the list of music being played on my stereo is the Other Half, Feral Ohms, Chocolate Watchband, Outrageous Cherry and Tobin Sprout just off the front of the stack of LPs in front of my turntable. As for what I’m currently reading I have a difficult time with books right now as I’m in lyric writing mode for the new OFF! record. I did make it about three quarters of the way through Senator Elizabeth Warren’s book, A Fighting Chance and damn if she’s not as boring as an uncooked hot dog on a bun with a glass of water. I’m finding myself going deep and getting in touch with my thirteen-year-old self and reading graphic novels such as Hellboy and Deadpool. I also try and read the LA Times every morning at breakfast.
Are you touring with OFF! or Flag soon?
No touring, as OFF! is in the process of filming a movie and writing songs for the accompanying soundtrack. I’m also in the process of writing another movie and helping in a documentary.
Are you getting annoyed with these questions?
I don’t get annoyed with questions even if I’ve answered a few of them several dozen times in the past, as the people who read this might not know who I am. Also you took the time to ask them so I owe you just out of courtesy the amount of time it takes to answer them.
What would you rather be doing right now then answering these?
Well it is 11:44 pm Pacific Time and I’ve just been out on a Valentines Day/Night dinner with a friend and her daughter. I’ve been up since 5:30 this morning so I’m going to bed where I’ll fall asleep watching a totally ridiculous Japanese movie that has a main character named “The Red Shadow” and was filmed in NinjaScope. This should be self explanatory.
Below: FLAG live in NYC Sep. 2013
DETAILS ON THE LECTURE BELOW:
AN EVENING WITH KEITH MORRIS AND OTHER PUNK ROCK SURVIVORS
Price: free
When: Feb 15, 7–9 p.m.
Where: CSULB – USU Beach Auditorium Long Beach, California 90840
Join CSULB’s History Graduate Students Association as we present the culmination of our series “Playing with a Purpose: Music, Power, and Community in Los Angeles” during an “Evening with Keith Morris and Other Punk Rock Survivors.” 2017 marks Los Angeles Punk’s 40th Birthday. This event will explore its relevance to the cultural history of Southern California.
The night will feature a reading by Keith Morris (of Black Flag, the Circle Jerks, Bug Lamp, and OFF!) who recently published a memoir titled My Damage: The Story of a Punk Rock Survivor. Also, he decided to bring a few friends to read from their own work. Including:
Charlotte Caffey (Go-Go’s, Eyes)
Jack Grisham (TSOL, Cathedral Of Tears, The Joykiller)
Chris D (The Flesh Eaters, Divine Horsemen, Slash Magazine)
All four of these authors/musicians will be reading, participating in a Q and A, and signing books.
Books will be available for purchase and signing directly from the authors.
This event is free and open to the public, and will be held at CSULB’s Beach Auditorium in USU-115.
Paid for in part by Associated Students Incorporated (CSULB).
Below: OFF! live at Gilman Street in Berkely, CA 2011
Below: Keith Morris in Decline of the Western Civilization Part 3
Below: Circle Jerks – Group Sex album
https://youtu.be/nHHAq_–rqA