I remember the first time I saw the Circle Jerks. It was one of those impressionable events that even time and a faded memory can't erase. Sixteen, aimless and with no musical direction, the Circle Jerks where the first band to ever make me feel elevated, reckless and full of youthful irreverence. Propelling this angry, intelligent punk band was Lucky Lehrer, the
Keith Moon of punk rock.
Lucky was a rarity for the punk rock drummer fraternity. He actually could read music and was versed in the swing and finesse of the Jazz greats. Combining a pocket with the fastest damn hands in the universe created a force of nature that even decades later remains unmatched. Check out the explosion of rolls on " Red Tape" or the swing of "Wild in the streets"
and listen as Lucky tears your head off and creates the backbeat for skankers across the nation.
While still a teenager I followed Lucky and the Jerks around enough that an annoyed Lucky one day asked me to at least carry some gear if I was going to show up for all their soundchecks and watch him play. I became his roadie and actually took a few lessons from him and he along with the band gave me the confidence to one day convince some guy named Greg Graffin that I played the drums.
When I was 26, I returned from England where I had lived for a year. Wanting to play drums again for Bad Religion, Greg infomed me that Lucky was holding down the drum throne. Knowing that I could never replace Lucky, I still
somehow had the verve to ask him if he had plans on staying on with the band or if he might be to busy with his life and give me another shot with the band. Lucky laughed at my question and said he was only keeping the seat warm while I was away. If he had not been so cool then I would have never played on 'Suffer' or many other great B.R.records.
If any of you aren't famillar with the Circle Jerks early albums, get off your asses and listen to one of the first bands that inspired myself and the rest of Bad Religion. It doesnt get any better my friends.
Thanks to Pete for sharing his words.
Pete is well-respected in LA punk rock music and most notably played drums in Bad Religion, from 1981-1991.
He has also played in the bands FiFi, The Brothers, Plastic Machine and Jackass.
Pete currently works in film editing and still plays drums.
