My Damage

Now I gotta read a book.

He's 65 in 2020 and still singing for OFF! His story is our story, every punk, cept his exact version. As with most punx the divide between band member and punk who enjoys goin' to the shows is not steep like it is in big business rock or rap. The celebrity factor just isn't as big a deal in punk. I was at a record store in Hollywood maybe 20 years ago and he and I were both just lookin' thru bins. I ran some lps past him, that's good, that one's good. I show him a Circle Jerks lp, That sucks. Just another punk but a guy who started with Black Flag and followed his natural inclination, with the urging of Greg Ginn, to be a vocalist. Great to have him share his story with us. Lotta substance abuse. Unapologetic about his story. Not designed to hurt anyone and he lived on the edge that way. Let's face it, Black Flag's Nervous Breakdown is an amazing classic 7", my favorite ever. And Circle Jerks lp Group Sex has Deny Everything and I've Got the World Up My A.. and Beverly Hills Century City, I Just Want Some Skank, Wasted, just incredible stuff. Thanks for opening the door and letting us read about yer life man.

Had enough of Rollins' self-important opinionizing? Get in touch with the humble, hardcore, ever-beating heart and soul of SoCal punk, Keith Morris. The likable member of Black Flag and the first amongst equals from the Circle Jerks (amongst other things). Rock and roll ain't all fun and games, and Keith's got the scars to prove it. Hear him tell the stories about the golden age of American punk from the perspective of someone who has seen the best and the worst of it and survived to tell the tales.

I've been reading lots of non-fiction/oral history/auto-biographical books about the punk scene for years. Please Kill Me, We Got the Neutron Bomb, American Hardcore, A Wailing of a Town, the Husker Du story, Bob Mould's book... Jack Grisham, John Doe and Dave Dictor have all recently published their own books... Usually I pick at them here and there when I've got nothing else to do and it takes me weeks to eventually finish them. My Damage is one that I read unusually quickly. Not often I find myself reading a book at 7AM on a Sunday morning, but that's what happened with this. (The kitties woke me up for their breakfast and then rather than go back to sleep...) It has a great chronological momentum that just kept pulling me along, made it a pleasure to go through its 200+ pages.I got into punk in 1982 and the Circle Jerks were one of the first bands I glommed on to and claimed as my own, and I still listen to them now and again to this day. Keith is a real character and his story is real, and interesting. Real interesting. Ahem. Anyway, I loved it and think it might be a good read for someone even if they aren't necessarily a fan.I also recommend as a companion piece the Circle Jerks documentary DVD 'My Career As a Jerk.'

Keith i'm so proud of you .The book is so great. You have no problem telling about stuff you feel bad about doing and all the tales were great to listen to as well as the history lesson. Your Raiders still suck and my Cowboys rule Keith. I have known Keith awhile not real close or anything but had his phone number and he came to shows I booked and its always a pleasure to talk to Keith as he is so energetic and like me a smartass in a good way and you know how you stand. He is way nice though ,has great taste in all kinds of music ..This book has taught me so much more about him and the L.A. punk scene. Who knew one day Darby Crash saved his life. This is about the most honest book you'll ever read etc.. I could not let it down and found myself reading it even as I had tooth picks in my eyelids to stay up! This book is a masterpiece and all fans of not just punk but rock music should read..Great book about one of the most insightful passionate punks I've ever met...Sash

Loved this book, I felt like I was with Keith during his whole life. Great adventure through LA punk punk rock

This is an honest and unflinching memoir that lives up to its billing. Keith is likeable and interesting. I took inspiration from his sobriety and how he has dealt with his health problems in recent years and that nevertheless, he is enjoying life more than ever before.

Keith tells his story in a kind of warts and all manner that moves along excellently and without any pretentiousness. You get an honest account of his story with just enough detail to make you feel satisfied without getting bogged down in technical descriptions or encyclopedic details. Keith comes across as down to earth and honest. It's a quick read and it's an interesting story if you're interested in the subject matter. There are times the story feels a bit scant on details but that's a minor complaint. Loses a star for a few digs at Rollins and Greg Ginn. Greg undoubtedly deserves it for his questionable book keeping. The Rollins jabs feel superficial. Either way it feels beneath Keith to have made a few swipes without going into detail though the reason may be legal.If you're unfamiliar with Keith Morris he was a founding member of Black Flag and vocalist on what is arguably some of their finest work. He also founded the Circle Jerks and currently is the vocalist for OFF! who are probably the only "punk" band worth knowing formed in this century.

I hope you get paid very well for all you are doing now and that CJ catalogue will also reward you. If Springsteen can sell his catalogue why not you. Sometimes I regret not being in the scene back then. But now I know you and all the people you write about made art and had that life. I can see it wasn’t for me. I hate the phone era too. My band is called Stupid Phones.

Keith Morris is a legend! Great stories. Very inspiring.

Good book

Solo para los aficionados.Un verdadero explorador en las tiendas del rock americano, nos levanto a vivir essos momentos con el.

Good review of beginning of Punk bands