Dead Kennedys - your opinions

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I have the vague idea the Dead Kennedys are more popular in Ireland than anywhere else. Certainly, when I was a lad you'd see the DK symbol everywhere. But anyway, what do people think of the Dead Kennedys? For all their popularity I have the idea they are not *that* good, for all that they have a few completely brilliant songs ('Holiday in Cambodia', 'Kalifornia Uber Alles', and er, several others)

― DV, Tuesday, 14 May 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

I think their first couple of albums had a high proportion of great songs. A pal of mine worked for Jello Biafra for a while in the '80s, and he thought him a hypocritical arsehole, but I still like the old records, Particularly strong bassist, I think - Klaus Flouride (sp?), from memory.

― Martin Skidmore, Tuesday, 14 May 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

Ignorning their legal battles and the rather quite sad incarnation that is currently touring (with Brandon Cruz of Dr.Know/"Courtship of Eddie's Father" on vox) and judging them by their music alone, the Dead Kennedys were head, shoulders, torso, naughty-bits and kneecaps better than the rest of their California hardcore peers. East Bay Ray's psycho-surf guitar stylings and Klaus Flouride's (yes, you were right) bass playing are superb. Love him or hate him, Jello Biafra was both a great stage presence and a whipsmart (if egocentric and insufferably self-righteous) lyricist. They deserve respect.

― Alex in NYC, Tuesday, 14 May 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

I'm just glad they're back together, without the annoying vocals... I think we can all agree that Jello was holding them back, and now they can take it all the way to the TOP...

― Andy, Tuesday, 14 May 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

Three words: "Buzzbomb From Pasadena".

― Nate Patrin, Tuesday, 14 May 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

They were a group I liked a lot more in theory than in practice. I do have a soft spot for "Nazi Punks Fuck Off", though.

― Dan Perry, Tuesday, 14 May 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

I used to really like them when i was in 6th form, and I think I've still got a really good live video (can't remember the name of it) filmed at the last performace at a really famous San Fransisco punk club (the name of which escapes me at the moment), and Jello Biafra does indeed have a fantastic presence. Some great tunes as well, but I always pity the poor drummer who looks like he's about to spinal-tap any moment.

Bizarely there is a Jello Biafra spoken word performance near my flat at Hove Town Hall very soon although it may have already happened, and it is billed as a "family show" so good knows what he is up to these days. Can anyone shd any lig

― Chewshabadoo, Tuesday, 14 May 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

eight months pass...

Totally amazing. This is the band that got me into punk. Jello's voice and the variety of non-standard punk issue guitar sound made them really stand out from the monotony of early 80's punk. There's a few songs that would be storng contenders for "Greatest Punk Songs Evah!" I'm not sure how I feel about their weird industrial stuff that they ended up doing ("At My Job"). (I liked one Lard album; sold another.)

Also, is it me or is Arab on Radar inspired by the Dead Kennedy's sound?

― Jonathan Williams (ex machina), Friday, 7 February 2003 16:41 (twenty-three years ago)

I really like "Frankenchrist". I like the fact that the sound is really tinny, but the band rocks. On "Chicken Farm" thee guitarist manages to sound like a diesel locomotive going through a tunnel, which pleases me mightily whenever I hear it. "A Growing Boy Needs His Lunch" has my favourite riff ever @ thee beginning, even (slightly) better than the chameleons' "don't fall". I have "Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables" and I like that a lot as well. The other stuff I'm not as mad on.

― Pashmina (Pashmina), Friday, 7 February 2003 18:09 (twenty-three years ago)

When I was a freshman in high school back in the late 80's, I bought Dead Kennedys Fresh Fruit and Yes The Yes Album on cd on the same day. I still like both albums lots. I went on to acquire most of the Yes catalog, yet I never bought another Dead Kennedys disc. I really can't explain why, as I did love Fresh Fruit and played it to death.

― Mr. Diamond (diamond), Friday, 7 February 2003 18:44 (twenty-three years ago)

I totally hate them.

― Kris (aqueduct), Friday, 7 February 2003 19:44 (twenty-three years ago)

I saw Jello do his spoken word thang and he's no good. No good at all. Like Wesley Willis, but without beats.

― Horace Mann (Horace Mann), Friday, 7 February 2003 19:46 (twenty-three years ago)

Thanks for the insightful comment!

And Jello spoken word does suck!

― Jonathan Williams (ex machina), Friday, 7 February 2003 19:46 (twenty-three years ago)

At their height (FRESH FRUIT through FRANKENCHRIST), they were simply unstoppable and arguably the finest fusion of intelligent satirical commentary and incendiary sonic ferocity. But, like so many bands before and after them, their uneasy melding of music and message didn't hold and both suffered as a result. BEDTIME FOR DEMOCRACY is virtually unslistenable, I find.

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Friday, 7 February 2003 19:52 (twenty-three years ago)

Classic when Mireille Perrier dances around her apt. to "Holiday in Cambodia" in Boy Meets Girl...

― Amateurist (amateurist), Friday, 7 February 2003 20:06 (twenty-three years ago)

That's almost as classic as the chick sitting around her flat listening to Deep Purple Concerto for Group and Orchestra in Mother and the Whore.

― Mr. Diamond (diamond), Friday, 7 February 2003 20:32 (twenty-three years ago)

three months pass...

I like short songs.

― man, Tuesday, 20 May 2003 23:45 (twenty-two years ago)

They were a group I liked a lot more in theory than in practice.

I feel the opposite way.

― Colin Beckett (Colin Beckett), Wednesday, 21 May 2003 02:30 (twenty-two years ago)

Classic, just for "Fresh Fruit"...

― Nordicskillz (Nordicskillz), Wednesday, 21 May 2003 07:20 (twenty-two years ago)

"in the head" best song ever! guitar solo in "when you get drafted" FANTASTIC! didn't like frankenchrist. it's always fun to see jello do spoken word to see (a) how up his own arse he is (b) cider punX in the back row shouting things like "sid vicious" (c) look of horror on most of audience's face when jello suggests drug lessons for kids in school (seriously). he had a nice purple silk cowboy shirt on the last time i saw him.
time to melt. that's good.

― bob snoom, Wednesday, 21 May 2003 07:26 (twenty-two years ago)

three years pass...

They were a group I liked a lot more in theory than in practice.

I feel the opposite way.

-- Colin Beckett (Colin4...), May 20th, 2003 10:30 PM.

Colin Beckett OTM!!!!!

― Stormy Davis (diamond), Sunday, 30 July 2006 05:25 (nineteen years ago)

Is that *the* Jonathan Williams up there? Who knew he had such talents as a straight man?

― Rickey Wright (Rrrickey), Sunday, 30 July 2006 09:05 (nineteen years ago)

Give Me Convenience or Give Me Death is THE BEST punk album ever, in my opinion. Biafra's a dumbo... but who can deny the power of 'Saturday Night Holocaust' or 'Straight A's ' or 'Man with the Dogs'? I love that fucking album.

― trees (treesessplode), Sunday, 30 July 2006 14:18 (nineteen years ago)

can't deny Fresh Fruit

― latebloomer (latebloomer), Sunday, 30 July 2006 16:03 (nineteen years ago)

Jello looks a lot like Curtis Armstrong (aka Booger) from Revenge of the Nerds these days

― latebloomer (latebloomer), Sunday, 30 July 2006 16:08 (nineteen years ago)

fresh fruit and frankenchrist are total classics. jello is annoying and as much of a small-minded asshole as the people he screams about, but if you shut out him as a person and just listen to the band it's great. and even then, he's smart and often funny.

the biafra/melvins collaboration is what i wish the DKs were still doing.

― Emily B (Emily B), Monday, 31 July 2006 03:15 (nineteen years ago)

Is that *the* Jonathan Williams up there? Who knew he had such talents as a straight man?

Yup, the very same. It's like seeing RJG's early posts, which are rather lengthier.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Monday, 31 July 2006 03:20 (nineteen years ago)

I read those posts that I wrote with such wide eyed sincerity and I don't know what got into me. College student googler haaaaay! For the record, I still love this band.

― Machibuse '80 (ex machina), Monday, 31 July 2006 03:48 (nineteen years ago)

No love for Plastic Surgery Disasters on this thread. That's my favourite DKs album. Having In God We Trust, Inc tacked on the end of the CD also helps.

― Colonel Poo (Colonel Poo), Monday, 31 July 2006 07:17 (nineteen years ago)

I have the old Jello-approved version of Fresh Fruit - is there anything to gain with the anniversary edition, sound-wise?

― milo z (mlp), Wednesday, 2 August 2006 21:16 (nineteen years ago)

five years pass...

http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m78oznyLhE1qzjcdyo1_500.jpg

― polyphonic, Monday, 16 July 2012 06:10 (thirteen years ago)

ten years pass...

Dead Kennedys' drummer D.H. Peligro (Darren Henley) passed away in his Los Angeles home yesterday, Oct 28th. He died from trauma to his head from an accidental fall. Arrangements are pending will be announced in the coming days. Thank you for your thoughts and words of comfort pic.twitter.com/PC7sF87f6c
— Dead Kennedys (@DeadKennedys) October 29, 2022

― Bee OK, Monday, 31 October 2022 04:19 (three years ago)

jfc @ Jello using his passing to take shots at the current Dead Kennedys

― papal hotwife (milo z), Monday, 31 October 2022 05:26 (three years ago)

RIP

I guess jello knows this is his best chance for a while, v tacky

― your original display name is still visible (Left), Monday, 31 October 2022 06:39 (three years ago)

shit the cause of death is upsetting

― your original display name is still visible (Left), Monday, 31 October 2022 06:48 (three years ago)

Jello wrote a nice tribute to DH that was posted on FB by his (Jello's) partner ... it didn't totally ignore the fact dude had substance issues.

Also, is it me or is Arab on Radar inspired by the Dead Kennedy's sound?

― Jonathan Williams (ex machina), Friday, February 7, 2003 8:41 AM (nineteen years ago)

I was actually thinking about this connection the other day lol ... kinda ... more like DK + Crucifucks ---> Arab on Radar

― sarahell, Monday, 31 October 2022 15:44 (three years ago)

Stop what you’re doing and read Peligro’s autobiography, Dreadnaught

― beamish13, Tuesday, 1 November 2022 14:15 (three years ago)

two years pass...

does anyone else think "kill the poor" is an homage to fugs - "kill for peace" or is it just me

― budo jeru, Thursday, 10 April 2025 20:44 (eleven months ago)

i wouldn't be surprised if jello was aware of the song - he's an old-school record nerd, was singing "have i the right?" at early DK concerts and so forth. that said the two songs aren't similar at all except for the refrain of "kill, kill, kill for peace" - different tempo, different melody, not even remotely similar in any way. so it might have been an influence, but calling it a "homage" is a little strong imo.

― Kate (rushomancy), Thursday, 10 April 2025 21:01 (eleven months ago)

the ramones “he’s gonna kill that girl” too

― brimstead, Thursday, 10 April 2025 21:05 (eleven months ago)

the way i hear it:

they are both uptempo songs that marry caustic swiftian satire to an upbeat ersatz doo wop arrangement

and the rhythm of "kill kill kill kill, kill for peace" is identical to "kill kill kill kill, kill the poor"

― budo jeru, Thursday, 10 April 2025 21:10 (eleven months ago)

ok maybe it's not identical but it's pretty close

― budo jeru, Thursday, 10 April 2025 21:12 (eleven months ago)

Probably… he gave a speech at a Gilman show about the ironic value of Christian ventriloquist records…

― sarahell, Thursday, 10 April 2025 21:37 (eleven months ago)

Too much of their stuff just doesn't hold up for me lyrically even if I still like their *sound* but Pull My Strings is evergreen. Did they really only perform it that one time? Double-bill it with Minor Threat's "Cashing In" for punk songs with tongue-in-cheek guitar solos that are actually really great (and which the guitarist is obviously genuinely into).

― gjoon1, Thursday, 10 April 2025 22:36 (eleven months ago)

yeah, both those songs are ironic and jaunty in the same way (for their times). real strong chance that a SF record nerd would have heard/of the Fugs.

Fresh Fruit is a stone classic though, I'd say. Stands up to any punk debut album for the most part, though his singing grates.

― encino morricone (majorairbro), Friday, 11 April 2025 07:21 (eleven months ago)

like, "Lets Lynch the Landlord" has such a syrupy sweet guitar solo.

― encino morricone (majorairbro), Friday, 11 April 2025 07:25 (eleven months ago)

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