Dead Kennedys have continued to retain their fan base over the years, and their history is well documented. They are perhaps the most famous of all American Punk bands, The Kennedy's, as they were called form in San Francisco in 1978. The were heavily influenced by the British punk rock scene, and bands like the Sex Pistols. Their songs mixed shocking lyrics with sarcastic criticism of social and political issues of the 1980's. Many people including Christians, and right-wing politicians considered them the most dangerous of all hardcore bands at the time.
....On March 25, 1980, Dead Kennedys were invited to perform at the Bay Area Music Awards in front of music industry executives in order to give the event some "New Wave credibility", in the words of the organizers. They were to play, their underground hit, "California Über Alles", after about 15 seconds into the song, frontman Jello Biafra said, "Hold it! We've gotta prove that we're adults now. We're not a punk rock band, we're a new wave band". The band, who all wore white shirts with a big, black S painted on the front, pulled black ties from around the backs of their necks to form a dollar sign, then started playing a new song "Pull My Strings", a barbed, satirical attack on the ethics of the mainstream music industry, which contained the lyrics, "Is my cock big enough, is my brain small enough, for you to make me a star?". The song also referenced The Knack's biggest New Wave hit, "My Sharona". The song was never recorded in the studio but this performance, the first and only time the song was ever performed, was released on the compilation "Give Me Convenience or Give Me Death", which I actually own and will write about at some point.
....On March 25, 1980, Dead Kennedys were invited to perform at the Bay Area Music Awards in front of music industry executives in order to give the event some "New Wave credibility", in the words of the organizers. They were to play, their underground hit, "California Über Alles", after about 15 seconds into the song, frontman Jello Biafra said, "Hold it! We've gotta prove that we're adults now. We're not a punk rock band, we're a new wave band". The band, who all wore white shirts with a big, black S painted on the front, pulled black ties from around the backs of their necks to form a dollar sign, then started playing a new song "Pull My Strings", a barbed, satirical attack on the ethics of the mainstream music industry, which contained the lyrics, "Is my cock big enough, is my brain small enough, for you to make me a star?". The song also referenced The Knack's biggest New Wave hit, "My Sharona". The song was never recorded in the studio but this performance, the first and only time the song was ever performed, was released on the compilation "Give Me Convenience or Give Me Death", which I actually own and will write about at some point.
....In 1985, the band was involved in perhaps their most famous incident of all, an incident that brought the band even more notoriety. An obscenity trial over the artwork of their fourth studio album, "Frankenchrist", which included with the album was a poster of the Swiss artist H.R. Giger's illustration of penises and anuses. In 1987 the case ended with a hung jury and was eventually dismissed.
....Among the bands other accomplishments was the formation of thier own record label, Alternative Tentacles, in 1981, the first release under this label was the EP, "In God We Trust". After realizing the potential for this independent label, they started releasing records for other bands as well. Alternative Tentacles continues to exist today, and is still owned by the bands ex-lead singer Jello Biafra, many hard core punk bands past and present are signed to this label.
....Among the bands other accomplishments was the formation of thier own record label, Alternative Tentacles, in 1981, the first release under this label was the EP, "In God We Trust". After realizing the potential for this independent label, they started releasing records for other bands as well. Alternative Tentacles continues to exist today, and is still owned by the bands ex-lead singer Jello Biafra, many hard core punk bands past and present are signed to this label.
....The Dead Kennedys released a total of four studio albums, one EP, three live albums, plus some compilations, not bad for eight years work. In January 1986, frustrated and alienated their own music scene, the Dead Kennedys broke up, they played their last concert on February 21, 1986. The bands history is a turbulent one, fraught with in-fighting among members, along with legal disputes over royalties and commercial activities. Never-the-less the band has maintained a loyal cult following over the years. They actually reformed in 2003, although the reformation did not include original lead singer Jello Biafra. In August of 2008, the band announced that they will no longer be touring in the foreseeable future due to health related issues of several members...the final chapter may well have been written for this band...
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Dead Kennedys former members...
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East Bay Ray (Raymond John Pepperell)
Klaus Flouride
D. H. Peligro
Jello Biafra
Brandon Cruz
6025 (Carlos Cadona)
Ted (Bruce Slesinger)
Jeff Penalty
Ron "Skip" Greer
Dave Scheff
Klaus Flouride
D. H. Peligro
Jello Biafra
Brandon Cruz
6025 (Carlos Cadona)
Ted (Bruce Slesinger)
Jeff Penalty
Ron "Skip" Greer
Dave Scheff
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The bands web site...
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