Hardcore will never die, at least while Keith Morris is still alive and kicking. The 55-year-old Morris co-founded the legendary Black Flag with Greg Ginn before leaving the band three years later to start the equally seminal Circle Jerks with future Bad Religion guitarist Greg Hetson. That band lasted a decade, though since 1994, the Circle Jerks have continued to tour sporadically but haven’t released a new album since 1995. That was going to change when the band convened last year with producer Dimitri Coats (Burning Brides) to work on new material. The result, however, was Morris quitting the CJs and forming OFF!, a new hardcore supergroup with Coats on guitar, Steven McDonald (Redd Kross) on bass and Mario Rubalcaba (Rocket From The Crypt, Hot Snakes) on drums. OFF! recorded four EPs that will be released as a vinyl boxed set, First Four EPs (Vice), on December 14. The band will also be guest editing magnetmagazine.com all week. Read our Q&A with Morris.
Mario: Hmm, just for marchin’ bands? Hail, no! This is the real boom-bam booshkah! Bonham played the 26-inch and the ultimate kick-drum sound (IMO), so naturally I wanted a 26-inch, too. When I shared kits with J Mascis, he was playin a 28-inch. At first, I thought, “Could it be too big?” When I played it on that tour, I could not go back afterward. It’s kinda messed up, makes all others seem like Mickey Mouse kits now. I tried to go back to a 24-inch kick, and it felt terrible. Bonham knew how to get the drums to really sing, the tuning of ’em and the dynamics. Do you think I like Bonzo? I like a lot of others, too. The 28-inch kickers might not catch on like the ol’ piccolo snare drum, but I seem to think that is not the worst thing to happen. It’s not for everyone. Right now, the 28-inch that I have is named “Big Bertha.” My friend got one too, and he named it “Big Jim,” but that’s cuz he likes boys. Thanks, J, and especially thanks to my fave drummer of all time: John Bonham! I love you, Bonzo Wonzo. P.S., it’s gotta be a Ludwig.
