Live music review: Circle Jerks headlined electrifying night of punk rock at Mohawk
September 6 marked the second evening of consecutive performances on the Mohawk outdoor stage by punk legends, Circle Jerks. The back-to-back nights of live music from the music icons celebrated the 40th anniversary of the release of the Hermosa Beach, California band’s second studio album, Wild in the Streets.
Michigan punk vets, Negative Approach, wowed show goers with performances from a catalog dating back to the early ‘80s. John Brannon’s distinct, unmistakable vocals echoed through the Red River Cultural District, with Harry Richardson on guitars, Ron Salowski playing bass, and John Lehl on the drums.
Still reeling from the relentlessly good Negative Approach set, the audience was ecstatic when Kevin Seconds (vocals), Steve Youth (bass), Troy Mowat (drums), and Bobby Adams (guitar) of 7Seconds took the stage. Their set list included songs from throughout their decades-long discography, and included a cover of the 1983 classic “99 Luftballons,” by German artist, Nena. The stage could not be set better for the headliners.
With massive scrolls containing their set list laid out on the stage, Circle Jerks opened with “Deny Everything,” and the audience erupted in response. Moshing ensued as the show continued; some members of the audience repeatedly made their way onto the stage to stage dive back into the crowd.
Keith Morris (vocals) engaged the crowd throughout the evening as Greg Hetson (guitar), Zander Schloss (bass), and Joey Castillo (drums) transitioned between blocks of songs. At one point, Morris made it clear, holding nothing back, on how he felt about the “$4,500-a-month condos across the street,” reminding the audience that the tenants were “…the reason for a weeknight curfew,” just prior to leading the crowd by example, flipping the bird to said tenants with a wave of his hand.
As the show progressed, Morris shared music-history anecdotes on four decades of touring and elaborated on the 40th Anniversary show that would have been, had it not been for the extenuating circumstances surrounding the world-wide COVID pandemic. He would continue in optimistic fashion, proclaiming the tour not only a 42th Anniversary of Group Sex, but a 40th Anniversary of Wild in the Streets.
All three bands rocked the hell out of their extensive set lists with ferocity suited to one of Austin’s premiere hard rock clubs. Circle Jerks were relentless in putting on what had to have been one of the greatest punk rock performances ever on the Mohawk outdoor stage. Between the three legendary bands, it was a surreal night.
Circle Jerks Setlist:
Deny Everything
Letterbomb
In Your Eyes
Stars and Stripes
Back Against the Wall
Behind the Door
I Just Want Some Skank
Beverly Hills
When the Shit Hits the Fan
Under the Gun
Trapped
Coup d’etat
Wild in the Streets
Moral Majority
Don’t Care
Live Fast Die Young
Paid Vacation
Junk Mail
Parade of the Horribles
Casualty Vampire
I, I & I
Leave Me Alone
I Don’t
Beat Me Senseless
World Up My Ass
Operation
Wasted
High Price On Our Heads
Red Tape
Encore:
I Wanna Destroy You
What’s Your Problem
Question Authority
Photos by Alexis Ramirez
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