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The Circle Jerks, like many of their peers from the early hardcore scene, built their identity around anti-authoritarian themes and blunt social criticism. When that collides with audience members who interpret punk purely as aggression or aesthetic—without engaging with its political DNA—conflict is almost inevitable.

Some folks applauded the name change or simply didn’t care. They were just excited for a new venue to arrive in Long Beach. Many people, however, expressed their dismay, and some reported that the venue’s Instagram was deleting any negative comments about the name change.