The Dead Kennedys are a hardcore punk band formed in California in 1978. Soon gaining a huge following in the underground movement they were one of the first US punk bands to break in the UK, the traditional home of punk rock. Original singer and co-founder Jello Biafra became a spokesperson for a generation with his witty, often satirical lyrics. The band were openly anti-corporate which led to them often coming into conflict with the music industry. During the 1980 Bay Area Music Awards they were scheduled to play their hit 'California Uber Alles' but instead replaced it in typically subversive style with the then unknown 'Pull My Strings'. When 'Too Drunk To Fuck' was released as a single it caused panic at the BBC who banned it from being played and only referred to it as 'Too Drunk' during its time in the top 40.
In 1986 the band decided to call it a day.
They'd released four studio albums including the seminal 'Fresh Fruit For Rotting Vegetables' and an EP entitled 'In God We Trust Inc'. The compilation album 'Give Me Convenience Or Give Me Death' released in 1987 effectively brought the first incarnation of the Dead Kennedys to an end.
"Dead Kennedys were one of the earliest, most popular and most influential of the American hardcore bands, their music was highly unique in the realm of punk rock in general, bearing traces of surf music, spaghetti western, psychedelic rock, garage rock and rockabilly."
- Unknown author, Wikipedia
Following a period of turmoil for the former band mates including a much publicised legal dispute founding members East Bay Ray and Klaus Flouride along with long standing drummer D H Peligro decided to reform the Dead Kennedys in 2001. Brandon Cruz was brought in to replace Biafra who was still in dispute with his former colleagues. Cruz lasted two years before being succeeded by Jeff Penalty who in turn relinquished vocal duties to Ron "Skip" Greer who remains to this day. Although no new studio material has been seen since the band reformed they have released two archival live albums (Mutiny On The Bay and Live At The Deaf Club). In 2007 a best of compilation entitled 'Milking The Sacred Cow' came out featuring two previously unreleased live versions of 'Jock O Rama' and 'Soup Is Good Food'. The latest line up has aired a reworked version of 'MTV Get Off The Air' called 'MP3 Get Off The Web' as a way of criticising music piracy. Even minus Jello Biafra the Dead Kennedys remain one of punk rock's most enigmatic groups reaching out to fans of all ages.
"Dead Kennedys were one of the earliest, most popular and most influential of the American hardcore bands, their music was highly unique in the realm of punk rock in general, bearing traces of surf music, spaghetti western, psychedelic rock, garage rock and rockabilly."
- Unknown author, Wikipedia
Following a period of turmoil for the former band mates including a much publicised legal dispute founding members East Bay Ray and Klaus Flouride along with long standing drummer D H Peligro decided to reform the Dead Kennedys in 2001. Brandon Cruz was brought in to replace Biafra who was still in dispute with his former colleagues. Cruz lasted two years before being succeeded by Jeff Penalty who in turn relinquished vocal duties to Ron "Skip" Greer who remains to this day. Although no new studio material has been seen since the band reformed they have released two archival live albums (Mutiny On The Bay and Live At The Deaf Club). In 2007 a best of compilation entitled 'Milking The Sacred Cow' came out featuring two previously unreleased live versions of 'Jock O Rama' and 'Soup Is Good Food'. The latest line up has aired a reworked version of 'MTV Get Off The Air' called 'MP3 Get Off The Web' as a way of criticising music piracy. Even minus Jello Biafra the Dead Kennedys remain one of punk rock's most enigmatic groups reaching out to fans of all ages.
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