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Dead Kennedys

The Dead Kennedys emerged from the burgeoning American hardcore punk scene in the late '70s and made their mark by merging revolutionary politics with angry, liberal music that is crucial to hardcore punk's development in this country.

The band formed in San Francisco when singer Jello Biafra answered an advertisement placed by guitarist East Bay Ray. The duo paired up with bassist Klaus Flouride, drummer Bruce (Ted) Slesinger, and a second guitarist known simply as 6025. 6025 didn't stay with the band for long, and Slesinger was replaced in 1981 by D.H. Peligro.

The band played an initial concert in July of 1978, featuring a tried and true recantation of British punk rock topped off with heavy bass and faithful guitar sounds. But to everyone who listened, the band was a hit in the making, with deep lyrics and truly skilled musicians, head and shoulders above the rest of the punk bands at that time.

The group is perhaps best known for its politics than anything else. Biafra attacked timely and deserving targets, including big business, the Reagan administration, the KKK and the apathy of liberal politicos. His political diatribes mixed well with his acute sense of humor and earthy vocals, and the group released a series of early songs like "Let's Lynch the Landlord," "I Kill Children" and "Chemical Warfare."

 

The Dead Kennedys deliberately chose their name to be politically inflammatory and continued their provocative behavior. In one memorable prank, Biafra ran for mayor of San Francisco, and actually finished fourth.

The band also became very visible to several far-right political and religious groups, who targeted the band as an enemy. The two groups' confrontational relationship led to a strong and aggressive police presence at most concerts. All of this political activity made them an unattractive prospect to major labels, and the band released their music under their own label, Alternative Tentacles.

The band released its debut, Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables in 1980, followed by an 8-track EP called In God We Trust in 1981. By 1982, they had released another album, Plastic Surgery Disasters. After two years of touring, the more melodic Frankenchrist (1985) appeared, marked by a frantic sense of desperation which reflected America's increasingly right-wing political landscape.

The group continued to court controversy over the album's poster called "Penis Landscape." This particular escapade, however, drew legal attention, and Biafra was charged with "distributing harmful matter to minors."

Meanwhile, the band had already decided to disband in 1986, before the release of their final album, Bedtime for Democracy.


Interesting Links:

The Dead Kennedys Place

 Dead Kennedys Shrine

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