Keith Morris
Keith Morris | |
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Background information | |
Born | Hermosa Beach, California, United States | September 18, 1955
Genres | Hardcore punk |
Occupation(s) |
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Instrument(s) | Vocals |
Years active | 1976–present |
Labels | |
Member of | |
Formerly of |
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Keith Morris (born September 18, 1955)[1] is an American singer and songwriter known for his role as frontman of the hardcore punk bands Black Flag, Circle Jerks, and Off!. Born and raised in Hermosa Beach, California, he formed Black Flag at the age of 21 with guitarist Greg Ginn and performed on the band's 1979 debut EP Nervous Breakdown. Shortly after leaving Black Flag in 1979, he formed the Circle Jerks with guitarist Greg Hetson; the band released seven albums between 1980 and 1995 and have broken up and reformed on numerous occasions. In 2009 Morris formed the supergroup Off! with guitarist Dimitri Coats, bassist Steven Shane McDonald, and drummer Mario Rubalcaba. Morris has also appeared as a guest vocalist on several albums by other artists.[2]
Biography
Early life
Morris was born September 18, 1955, and grew up in
Morris and his friends spent their spare time hanging out by
Black Flag
In 1976, Morris co-founded Black Flag (then-known as Panic) along with guitarist Greg Ginn. Their work ethic proved too challenging for some early members; Ginn and Morris had an especially hard time finding a reliable bass guitarist, and often rehearsed without a bassist, a factor that contributed to the development of Ginn's distinctive, often low-pitched guitar sound. The band went through three bass players before Chuck Dukowski joined and then Robo answered a Pennysaver ad and became their drummer.[12]
After a number of line-up changes, Morris recorded vocals for the first Black Flag EP Nervous Breakdown. After two years in the band, Morris left the band citing, among other reasons, creative differences with Ginn,[12] and his own "freaking out on cocaine and speed."[13]
Circle Jerks
After leaving Black Flag in 1979, Morris founded the Circle Jerks, along with former Redd Kross guitarist Greg Hetson.[12] Cited as one of the most important hardcore punk groups, the Circle Jerks were active until 1990, when Hetson left the band to continue playing guitar and release a number of albums with Bad Religion. The Circle Jerks reunited in 1994 and released their last studio album to date in 1995. The group performed on and off until 2011, when they went back on hiatus. In November 2019, plans were announced for a 2020 reunion tour in support of the 40th anniversary of their 1980 album, Group Sex,[14] however the tour was postponed until September 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[15] In April 2022, six of the dates on their 40th anniversary tour were postponed due to Morris testing positive for the COVID-19 virus.[16]
Off!
As of 2010, Morris has been performing and touring with his latest project
Morris stated in a March 2011 interview that Off! was asked to open future dates for the Red Hot Chili Peppers and they said they would even though it might anger some of their younger punk fans.[18] Ultimately, Off! ended up not touring with Red Hot Chili Peppers.[13] Morris has known the band for over 30 years and the Circle Jerks had performed shows with the Chili Peppers in the 80s. The Chili Peppers had also covered Black Flag and the Circle Jerks during their shows. Chili Peppers singer, Anthony Kiedis, wore an Off! hat at every show on the band's entire I'm with You World Tour including some of their music videos.[19] Morris even filled in for Kiedis during one of the Chili Peppers' shows in 1984. When Kiedis, who was off scoring drugs, failed to show up for the performance, the band asked Morris to fill in on vocals. Morris, who didn't know any of the lyrics,[20] yelled and made up lyrics to the band's songs to get through the performance. In the Chili Peppers' "An Oral/Visual History" book, bassist Flea said "We got an opening slot at the Olympic Auditorium. But Anthony in all his junkie splendor did not show up. Keith Morris from the Circle Jerks said 'I'll sing' and so we went out with him. We were just playing the songs and he would yell out stuff – whatever he could."[21][22][23]
As of 2014, the group has released three studio albums. In July 2021, Off! released their first new song in seven years, a cover of
FLAG
In 2013, Keith Morris, Chuck Dukowski, Dez Cadena, Bill Stevenson and Descendents member Stephen Egerton, created FLAG as an offshoot of Black Flag. As of now, they are only touring. No plans for an album have been announced. After the Circle Jerks' first break-up in 1990, Morris led the bands Bug Lamp[26] and Midget Handjob.[27] He also provided backing vocals on "Operation Rescue", from Bad Religion's album Against the Grain (1990).
Morris also narrated Chris Fuller's 2007 Gotham Award-nominated independent film Loren Cass.
Morris appeared as the DJ for the West Coast Punk Rock station Channel X in the video game Grand Theft Auto V released on September 17, 2013.
In 2016, Morris released an autobiography called My Damage: The Story of a Punk Rock Survivor.[28]
In 1999, Morris was diagnosed with adult onset diabetes.[29][30] He has also been sober since the 1980s.[31]
On April 13, 2022, it was revealed on the Circle Jerks' Facebook page that Morris had contracted and was recovering from COVID-19.[32]
Years active 2013- Spinoff of Black Flag Members
Other works
Personal life
Discography
With Black Flag
With Circle Jerks
With Bug Lamp
With Midget Handjob
With Off!
Guest appearances
Year
Artist
Title
Credits
1990
Bad Religion
Against the Grain
backing vocals on "Operation Rescue"
1996
Tree
Downsizing the American Dream
backing vocals on "This Land"
2001
Fu Manchu
California Crossing
lead vocals on "Bultaco"
2002
Rollins Band
Rise Above: 24 Black Flag Songs to Benefit the West Memphis Three
lead vocals on "Nervous Breakdown"
2003
Alkaline Trio
Good Mourning
backing vocals on "We've Had Enough"
2004
My Chemical Romance
Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge
backing vocals on "Hang 'Em High"
2004
Wrangler Brutes
Zulu
backing vocals on "Driving"
2005
Turbonegro
Party Animals
backing vocals on "Wasted Again"
2006
The Bronx
Social Club Issue No. One
lead vocals on "Witness (Can I Get A)"
2008
Chingalera
Dose
backing vocals on "Twenty Three"
2008
Klover
Dose
backing vocals on "Brain"
2009
Trash Talk
East of Eden
backing vocals on "East of Eden" and "Son of a Bitch"
2017
The Shrine
Never More Than Now
lead vocals
2020
T.S.O.L.
Sweet Transvestite (single)
shared lead vocals
References
External links