Today’s video of the day is Circle Jerks – "Coup D’etat" released in 1983.
Chaos hits fast with “Coup D’état” by Circle Jerks. The song appears here as a live performance filmed in Tijuana, Mexico, in 1989. Energy drives every second of the video. Sweat, speed, and tension dominate the frame. As a result, the performance feels raw and confrontational. It captures the danger and urgency that defined hardcore punk onstage.
Circle Jerks formed in Los Angeles in 1979. Vocalist Keith Morris previously led Black Flag. The band quickly became central to the Southern California hardcore scene. “Coup D’état” originally appeared on Golden Shower of Hits in 1983. That release blended studio tracks, covers, and live recordings. Therefore, it works as a snapshot of the band’s early years. The song also appeared on the Repo Man soundtrack. That exposure pushed hardcore punk into cult cinema culture.
Within the Circle Jerks catalog, “Coup D’état” plays a key role. Early albums like Group Sex focused on speed and aggression. Later releases, including Wonderful, expanded their sound and structure. However, Golden Shower of Hits connects those eras. The song’s political tone fits the band’s larger themes. Authority, corruption, and social unrest appear throughout their work. Because of that, this 1989 Tijuana performance feels essential. It proves the song still hit hard years later. The video shows Circle Jerks at full force, loud, fearless, and uncompromising.
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