It doesn't matter who you are, where you're from, or really how much you know. If you've been in Punk long enough to name about 3 respectable bands, then you know who Keith Morris is. Whether you've been into Punk since the 70's and have followed him since, or if you walked into Hot Topic last week and decided you like Black Flag after actually listening to them, then you know Keith Morris.
With each band he carries a level of quality along in the music that is matched by few others. OFF!, which got it's debut at SXSW, is no exception.
With each band he carries a level of quality along in the music that is matched by few others. OFF!, which got it's debut at SXSW, is no exception.
OFF! From Left to Right. Dimitri Coats, Mario Rubalcalba, Keith Morris, Steven McDonald
Photo by: Dan Monick. Courtesy: OFF!
Photo by: Dan Monick. Courtesy: OFF!
Tx Punk: Now, I know there's been speculation, and disagreement among some fans about why you guys picked the name OFF!(Despite the clues of Black Flag parody). Care to clear it up?
Keith: Not really, just kidding! We're not a BLACK FLAG parody as some of you might think as I was a founding member of BF which means I can continue on that path. Our guitarist thought he would be clever in our search forra' band name and decided on OFF! as he found that in the insect spray section next to RAID on google. Screw that bug repellant crap! RAID sounded like a THIN LIZZY or JUDAS PRIEST song title! I love both of those bands but I wasn't buyin' it! I dug OFF! 'cause it's short for "GET THE FUCK OFF MY BACK!" , "FUCK OFF!", "I'M GOIN' OFF!" or at the end of the work day and the boss is grinding on you......"WHEN DO I GET OFF?". BF never was based on an insectacide as it's the flag of anarchy, piracy and chaos! That was their anti ADAM & THE ANTS campaign, "BLACK FLAG KILLS ANTS ON CONTACT!".
Tx Punk: So, you've been pretty busy getting the band started, recording, gigging, getting on Carson Daly, etc. Once you finish The First Four EPs box set what's in store for OFF?
Keith: With the ton of cash we're making from this band it's going to be lengthy jet setting vacations in far away places, new found drug habits, exotic dancers and adult film actresses for girlfriends, dozens of illegitimate kids, hilltop mansions and large extended Hummers that get a negative 20 miles per gallon! We're already gearing up for another batch of songs so we won't find ourselves in the last situation where we were doing thingz in reverse.......scheduling mastering and recording days without having the songs! I know i'm at least 3 to 4 songs in on lyrics so it's not gonna' fall on me as it did in the last round of songwriting. We are also trying to get the tour dates in place as after February 14th we're out to conquer the planet.
Tx Punk: You've been working with Raymond Pettibon for most band artwork. Is this something that's going to continue?
Keith: We've made RAYMOND our 5th member but understand that he'll only participate on tambourine in certain strategic situations and career enhancing scenarios ........he should've been with us for the Carson Daly filming but he had a prior commitment at Caesar's Palace on the Las Vegas strip with WAYNE NEWTON! He and I lost track when bands were gettin' in vans to map out a path for alla' these new groops and after a few yrs. I eventually said to myself.......hell man i've gotta' go eat a sandwich with Ray! He said yeah and we hung out at his workspace where you couldn't walk without steppin' on an important and valuable piece of artwork! He's a STUD RAWK PRINCE of the highest order! His work's pretty happening on top of that.
Keith: Not really, just kidding! We're not a BLACK FLAG parody as some of you might think as I was a founding member of BF which means I can continue on that path. Our guitarist thought he would be clever in our search forra' band name and decided on OFF! as he found that in the insect spray section next to RAID on google. Screw that bug repellant crap! RAID sounded like a THIN LIZZY or JUDAS PRIEST song title! I love both of those bands but I wasn't buyin' it! I dug OFF! 'cause it's short for "GET THE FUCK OFF MY BACK!" , "FUCK OFF!", "I'M GOIN' OFF!" or at the end of the work day and the boss is grinding on you......"WHEN DO I GET OFF?". BF never was based on an insectacide as it's the flag of anarchy, piracy and chaos! That was their anti ADAM & THE ANTS campaign, "BLACK FLAG KILLS ANTS ON CONTACT!".
Tx Punk: So, you've been pretty busy getting the band started, recording, gigging, getting on Carson Daly, etc. Once you finish The First Four EPs box set what's in store for OFF?
Keith: With the ton of cash we're making from this band it's going to be lengthy jet setting vacations in far away places, new found drug habits, exotic dancers and adult film actresses for girlfriends, dozens of illegitimate kids, hilltop mansions and large extended Hummers that get a negative 20 miles per gallon! We're already gearing up for another batch of songs so we won't find ourselves in the last situation where we were doing thingz in reverse.......scheduling mastering and recording days without having the songs! I know i'm at least 3 to 4 songs in on lyrics so it's not gonna' fall on me as it did in the last round of songwriting. We are also trying to get the tour dates in place as after February 14th we're out to conquer the planet.
Tx Punk: You've been working with Raymond Pettibon for most band artwork. Is this something that's going to continue?
Keith: We've made RAYMOND our 5th member but understand that he'll only participate on tambourine in certain strategic situations and career enhancing scenarios ........he should've been with us for the Carson Daly filming but he had a prior commitment at Caesar's Palace on the Las Vegas strip with WAYNE NEWTON! He and I lost track when bands were gettin' in vans to map out a path for alla' these new groops and after a few yrs. I eventually said to myself.......hell man i've gotta' go eat a sandwich with Ray! He said yeah and we hung out at his workspace where you couldn't walk without steppin' on an important and valuable piece of artwork! He's a STUD RAWK PRINCE of the highest order! His work's pretty happening on top of that.
This and the rest of the following photos were taken at Fun Fun Fun Fest 2010
Tx Punk: What's your favorite Punk, and non-punk album?
Keith: What a downright messed up question 'cause I don't have a fave............ya' want me to say the CLASH's "Give 'Em Enough Rope"? X's "Wild Gift"? BAD BRAIN's "Bad Brains"? The FLESHEATERS' "A Minute To Pray A Sceond To Die"? WIRE's "Pink Flag"? MISFITS' "Walk Among Us"? IGGY & THE STOOGES' "Raw Power"? MC5's "Back In The USA"? GUN CLUB's "Fire Of Love" to name a few.......
All the non-punk stuff...........ALICE COOPER's "Love It To Death", DAVID BOWIE's "Man Who Sold The World", the MOVE's "Looking On", all 3 SPARKS albums on Island Records, BEATLES' "Revolver", almost any ROLLING STONES' Jimmy Miller produced stuff, CHUCK BERRY's "Golden Era", DEERHUNTER's "Microcastle", the KINKS' "Lola Versus Powerman And The Moneygoround" and this list goes on forever................BLUE OYSTER CULT's "Tyranny And Mutation", the JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE's 1st 3 albums, the SHIN's "Chutes Too Narrow", any recording by the SOUNDTRACK OF OUR LIVES, the WHO "Live At Leeds"................
Tx Punk: What's your favorite OFF! song so far (to play live or favorite recording)?
Keith: I don't have a particular favorite as we've only played live about 12 times in varying sitches. I do wig out over "Jeffrey Lee Pierce", "Darkness", "Poison City" and "Panic Attack"! I would play "I Don't Belong" for my Mom as I know she'd dig that one!
Tx Punk: What's your favorite OFF! story? I'm sure some interesting things have happened already.
Keith: Not much has happened that's been life altering or mind bending except that we just played the FUN FUN FUN FEST in Austin, Texas and our sleeping space was about 3/4 of a mile from Waterloo Park where it was all goin' on. The first night there our favorite character in the band decided to drink adult beverages until he was holding poles, walls and misc. buildings up! He also made the decision to walk to and from downtown and at 'round 4AM decided to pass out on the side of the road inna' patch of grass. Who knows what wild, domestic animals or drunk tramps had relieved themselves there? The moral of this unfortunate tale is STAY ON YER' FEET or TAKE A CAB! Oh yeah we played a party up in San Francisco and crashed atta' crack cocaine/hooker blow job palace and hadda' bum take a dump on the sidewalk next to our veggie van! Couldn't get it off the curb! Used a Chinese take out menu to wipe with.......that hadta' hurt! OUCH!
Keith: What a downright messed up question 'cause I don't have a fave............ya' want me to say the CLASH's "Give 'Em Enough Rope"? X's "Wild Gift"? BAD BRAIN's "Bad Brains"? The FLESHEATERS' "A Minute To Pray A Sceond To Die"? WIRE's "Pink Flag"? MISFITS' "Walk Among Us"? IGGY & THE STOOGES' "Raw Power"? MC5's "Back In The USA"? GUN CLUB's "Fire Of Love" to name a few.......
All the non-punk stuff...........ALICE COOPER's "Love It To Death", DAVID BOWIE's "Man Who Sold The World", the MOVE's "Looking On", all 3 SPARKS albums on Island Records, BEATLES' "Revolver", almost any ROLLING STONES' Jimmy Miller produced stuff, CHUCK BERRY's "Golden Era", DEERHUNTER's "Microcastle", the KINKS' "Lola Versus Powerman And The Moneygoround" and this list goes on forever................BLUE OYSTER CULT's "Tyranny And Mutation", the JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE's 1st 3 albums, the SHIN's "Chutes Too Narrow", any recording by the SOUNDTRACK OF OUR LIVES, the WHO "Live At Leeds"................
Tx Punk: What's your favorite OFF! song so far (to play live or favorite recording)?
Keith: I don't have a particular favorite as we've only played live about 12 times in varying sitches. I do wig out over "Jeffrey Lee Pierce", "Darkness", "Poison City" and "Panic Attack"! I would play "I Don't Belong" for my Mom as I know she'd dig that one!
Tx Punk: What's your favorite OFF! story? I'm sure some interesting things have happened already.
Keith: Not much has happened that's been life altering or mind bending except that we just played the FUN FUN FUN FEST in Austin, Texas and our sleeping space was about 3/4 of a mile from Waterloo Park where it was all goin' on. The first night there our favorite character in the band decided to drink adult beverages until he was holding poles, walls and misc. buildings up! He also made the decision to walk to and from downtown and at 'round 4AM decided to pass out on the side of the road inna' patch of grass. Who knows what wild, domestic animals or drunk tramps had relieved themselves there? The moral of this unfortunate tale is STAY ON YER' FEET or TAKE A CAB! Oh yeah we played a party up in San Francisco and crashed atta' crack cocaine/hooker blow job palace and hadda' bum take a dump on the sidewalk next to our veggie van! Couldn't get it off the curb! Used a Chinese take out menu to wipe with.......that hadta' hurt! OUCH!
Tx Punk: (These next few in quotes are some requests.)
"What do you think about America today?"
Keith: This is one of the greatest places in the world and we have some of the smartest minds but the people in charge have whittled us down into a really bad scene. Let's build bombs and let our schools become daytime prison camps, let the gangs run rampant as long as they stay in their part of town and have everyone eating doritos, drinking coca cola and watching nascar! We'll go destroy beautiful places from rain forests to cities in the Middle East and that's because our mentality is we're the greatest! It's not too late to get real about this!
Tx Punk: "Do you and Rollins get along?"
HANK's a total RAWKER! All the peeps that diss on him are a buncha' nard sniffers! He just got through playing and putting himself wholeheartedly into what was goin' on onstage and afterwards he's in the parking lot outside the venue tryin' to catch his breath, collect his thoughts, dry off and someone who's not aware of his sitch starts givin' him the 3rd degree! Because HANK's not rattling off a buncha' answers or signing everything waved in front of him or holding hands and skippin' 'round with all the kids this makes him an asshole? Sorry Mr./Mrs./Ms. whiney ass crybaby hater but you lose 'cause Mr. Rollins has been nothing but straight up and no bullshit from start to finish! Another part to this is have any of you ever hadda' bad day? If any of you have inquiries 'bout HANK just ask the WEST MEMPHIS 3 peeple! I don't find myself jumpin' up and down with joy over his spoken word excursions and sum of his written work but that can be tossed out the window 'cause he rules as a vocalist! His BF recordings DESTROY!
"What do you think about America today?"
Keith: This is one of the greatest places in the world and we have some of the smartest minds but the people in charge have whittled us down into a really bad scene. Let's build bombs and let our schools become daytime prison camps, let the gangs run rampant as long as they stay in their part of town and have everyone eating doritos, drinking coca cola and watching nascar! We'll go destroy beautiful places from rain forests to cities in the Middle East and that's because our mentality is we're the greatest! It's not too late to get real about this!
Tx Punk: "Do you and Rollins get along?"
HANK's a total RAWKER! All the peeps that diss on him are a buncha' nard sniffers! He just got through playing and putting himself wholeheartedly into what was goin' on onstage and afterwards he's in the parking lot outside the venue tryin' to catch his breath, collect his thoughts, dry off and someone who's not aware of his sitch starts givin' him the 3rd degree! Because HANK's not rattling off a buncha' answers or signing everything waved in front of him or holding hands and skippin' 'round with all the kids this makes him an asshole? Sorry Mr./Mrs./Ms. whiney ass crybaby hater but you lose 'cause Mr. Rollins has been nothing but straight up and no bullshit from start to finish! Another part to this is have any of you ever hadda' bad day? If any of you have inquiries 'bout HANK just ask the WEST MEMPHIS 3 peeple! I don't find myself jumpin' up and down with joy over his spoken word excursions and sum of his written work but that can be tossed out the window 'cause he rules as a vocalist! His BF recordings DESTROY!
Tx Punk: What do you do for fun when you're not playing music?
Keith: I listen to a ton of music as i'm around 7,000 pieces of music including 12", 10" and 7" vinyl, cds and cassettes of varying quality and genres. I'm chippin' away onna' book of misc. stories involving bands, bandmates and other characters who've been part of my rock and roll adventure. I'm writing a story that'll someday be turned into a movie involving an army of African transvestites, the CIA, FBI, LAPD, IRS, NATO, Interpol, KGB, the world's largest rubber tree plantation, blood diamonds, the Nigerian scam, Sunset Blvd., an Asian teen gang, 80 million dollars and all sortsa' other fun crap. I have an online radio gig, "TOTALLY PSYCHED" where I play vinyl records and an occasional cd on Tuesday nights @ www.moheak.com starting @ 3PM PST and i'm also on a virgin safari.
Tx Punk: What do you think of the various ways Punk Rock has changed over the years?
Keith: I try not to give this much weight to this as there are a few dozen categories of music and in each category or box or however the critics describe or lump it in there's sum seriously happening bands. Just as for every great groop or artist there's a large army of crapola that you've gotta' sort out and why not send sum of them out to build bridges and repave our roads? Punk rock's such a bunk description as there are too many slughounds out there makin' things too predictable and them adding their uniform mediocrity.
Tx Punk: Is there any one person you'd like to give a smack in the head?
Keith: I'm not a violent person and my parents, JERRY and MAUDENA taught me good manners, right from wrong and not to hit females but I know if I were a broad i'd walk right up to Sarah Palin and punch her in the face or kick her in her twat! Give her a flying Kung Fu kick to her eggs! When she's out there doin' that outdoor show she needs to be attacked and ripped to shreds by a coupla' polar bears orra' pack of wolves! Toss her out of a plane into the frosty tundra into a flock of rabid penquins and let them have their way with her!
Keith: I listen to a ton of music as i'm around 7,000 pieces of music including 12", 10" and 7" vinyl, cds and cassettes of varying quality and genres. I'm chippin' away onna' book of misc. stories involving bands, bandmates and other characters who've been part of my rock and roll adventure. I'm writing a story that'll someday be turned into a movie involving an army of African transvestites, the CIA, FBI, LAPD, IRS, NATO, Interpol, KGB, the world's largest rubber tree plantation, blood diamonds, the Nigerian scam, Sunset Blvd., an Asian teen gang, 80 million dollars and all sortsa' other fun crap. I have an online radio gig, "TOTALLY PSYCHED" where I play vinyl records and an occasional cd on Tuesday nights @ www.moheak.com starting @ 3PM PST and i'm also on a virgin safari.
Tx Punk: What do you think of the various ways Punk Rock has changed over the years?
Keith: I try not to give this much weight to this as there are a few dozen categories of music and in each category or box or however the critics describe or lump it in there's sum seriously happening bands. Just as for every great groop or artist there's a large army of crapola that you've gotta' sort out and why not send sum of them out to build bridges and repave our roads? Punk rock's such a bunk description as there are too many slughounds out there makin' things too predictable and them adding their uniform mediocrity.
Tx Punk: Is there any one person you'd like to give a smack in the head?
Keith: I'm not a violent person and my parents, JERRY and MAUDENA taught me good manners, right from wrong and not to hit females but I know if I were a broad i'd walk right up to Sarah Palin and punch her in the face or kick her in her twat! Give her a flying Kung Fu kick to her eggs! When she's out there doin' that outdoor show she needs to be attacked and ripped to shreds by a coupla' polar bears orra' pack of wolves! Toss her out of a plane into the frosty tundra into a flock of rabid penquins and let them have their way with her!
Tx Punk: Well, because I've been bugged to ask this... "What's going on with the Circle Jerks then?" "What happened to the album?"
Keith: Those 3 other dork schwindlers can take an extended vacation to somewhere in Mexico where the drug cartels are beheading peeps or another spot of that's lacking relaxation filled with high anxiety! Of course i'm saying this in jest but they've all got much more important bands to play in and songs to write so i'll say to them go and be free! They can hold hands while entirely nude flashing their boners on the highest mountaintop in the freezing snow while whistling "The Hills Are Alive With The Sound Of Music". A CJs album is NOT HAPPENING until the geniuses who call themselves the musicians of the band get down on their knees and beg DIMITRI, who's the OFF! guitarist to reconsider producing "The Circle Jerks Versus The World!". I would also like to take this opportunity to give them a HUGE thank you for making OFF! the musical "Happy Half Hour" we are! You ever hear the line "Fuck up a free lunch"? That's what I was involved in and with for years and now i'm INSANELY happy with MARIO, STEVEN and DIMITRI! OFF!'s a much more musically gifted and certainly more handsome boy band than the CJs who are too busy with all their older guy issues, old guy hang ups and plastic hassles! I have nowhere else to go but onwards and up wards!
Tx Punk: Anything you'd like to say for people trying to start a band?
Keith: Yeah! DON'T FUCKIN' DO IT! That's just sum of my SARCASM! Follow yer' heart and soul and be brave! Don't be afraid and DO NOT start a band or write songs thinkin' that there's sum golden path that leads to fame and fortune because you might be disappointed! It's great to be serious but what's kept me from totally losing it is my SENSE OF HUMOUR!
Tx Punk: Any last comments?
Keith: Be strong! Be smart and remember that music's not an excuse to do stupid things and believe me when I say i've participated in a few seriously dumb situations.............BE WELL!
Tx Punk: Thanks
Keith:
U R WELCOME! And THANX 4 PAYING ATTENTION!
Cheers,
Keith Morris
Keith: Those 3 other dork schwindlers can take an extended vacation to somewhere in Mexico where the drug cartels are beheading peeps or another spot of that's lacking relaxation filled with high anxiety! Of course i'm saying this in jest but they've all got much more important bands to play in and songs to write so i'll say to them go and be free! They can hold hands while entirely nude flashing their boners on the highest mountaintop in the freezing snow while whistling "The Hills Are Alive With The Sound Of Music". A CJs album is NOT HAPPENING until the geniuses who call themselves the musicians of the band get down on their knees and beg DIMITRI, who's the OFF! guitarist to reconsider producing "The Circle Jerks Versus The World!". I would also like to take this opportunity to give them a HUGE thank you for making OFF! the musical "Happy Half Hour" we are! You ever hear the line "Fuck up a free lunch"? That's what I was involved in and with for years and now i'm INSANELY happy with MARIO, STEVEN and DIMITRI! OFF!'s a much more musically gifted and certainly more handsome boy band than the CJs who are too busy with all their older guy issues, old guy hang ups and plastic hassles! I have nowhere else to go but onwards and up wards!
Tx Punk: Anything you'd like to say for people trying to start a band?
Keith: Yeah! DON'T FUCKIN' DO IT! That's just sum of my SARCASM! Follow yer' heart and soul and be brave! Don't be afraid and DO NOT start a band or write songs thinkin' that there's sum golden path that leads to fame and fortune because you might be disappointed! It's great to be serious but what's kept me from totally losing it is my SENSE OF HUMOUR!
Tx Punk: Any last comments?
Keith: Be strong! Be smart and remember that music's not an excuse to do stupid things and believe me when I say i've participated in a few seriously dumb situations.............BE WELL!
Tx Punk: Thanks
Keith:
U R WELCOME! And THANX 4 PAYING ATTENTION!
Cheers,
Keith Morris
