Dead Kennedys: the beginning of a riot
Music and politics walk hand-by-hand. It is a tendency of the twentieth century, which allowed people to be freer to be, speak and create. Some people have really exercised this right to freedom, like Jello Biafra, the former vocalist of the now extinct hardcore punk band Dead Kennedys. He and his colleagues scandalized an entire nation with their lyrics and their eccentric style and attitude. Harshly prosecuted by conservative groups all over America, the band met its end in 1986, after no longer than seven years of a brief but historical existence – but not without leaving a significant number of important follow-up bands.
Dead Kennedys started in San Francisco in 1978, mostly by influence of the British punk band Sex Pistols. It commenced with Biafra responding to an ad in a music paper posted by guitarist East Bay Ray, and was soon followed by the bassist Klaus Flouride. After a while the definitive drummer D.H. Peligro joined the group, making the most aggressive musical combination known until that time.
Their fiery and energetic sound really made a stand in their early presentations. But what really called the attention of the ever-growing number of fans was the caustic irony of their lyrics. They provoked the angry reaction of religious groups, the police and, some time later, the courts. But none of these really bothered Biafra, who even ran for mayor in San Francisco (and came up in fourth) in 1979. Everything was reason for a good witty and sarcastic joke for them.
The end of the band started when they were taken to court for showing indecent pictures of genitalia (which was actually an artwork by Swiss artist H. R. Giger) in the poster of their album Frankenchrist. In court, Biafra showed great articulateness as an advocate for free speech and managed to end the case with a hung jury. After this consuming episode, the band decided to finish their last album and split. While the other band integrants followed their ways in the music scene, Biafra made a career as a controversial orator.
Despite its short existence, Dead Kennedys were a very important influence to a great and diversified number of bands, like Propaghandi, Misfits, Pixies, R.E.M., Sonic Youth and practically all hardcore punk rock bands. Not to mention the whole movement they created with their attitude, which made the minds of some of today's generations, like the punk-rockers, the straight-edges, skaters and rollers and, of course, the rebels. It was their ironic treatment they gave to authorities that made them a model for these people.
Dead Kennedys had an undeniable influence over politics and society in the US and, why not say, in the United Kingdom as well. Next time you hear a band playing harsh songs with great energy, like System Of A Down, remember where it all began. Because they were the ones who had the guts to break the line and tread on it.
Dead Kennedys started in San Francisco in 1978, mostly by influence of the British punk band Sex Pistols. It commenced with Biafra responding to an ad in a music paper posted by guitarist East Bay Ray, and was soon followed by the bassist Klaus Flouride. After a while the definitive drummer D.H. Peligro joined the group, making the most aggressive musical combination known until that time.
Their fiery and energetic sound really made a stand in their early presentations. But what really called the attention of the ever-growing number of fans was the caustic irony of their lyrics. They provoked the angry reaction of religious groups, the police and, some time later, the courts. But none of these really bothered Biafra, who even ran for mayor in San Francisco (and came up in fourth) in 1979. Everything was reason for a good witty and sarcastic joke for them.
The end of the band started when they were taken to court for showing indecent pictures of genitalia (which was actually an artwork by Swiss artist H. R. Giger) in the poster of their album Frankenchrist. In court, Biafra showed great articulateness as an advocate for free speech and managed to end the case with a hung jury. After this consuming episode, the band decided to finish their last album and split. While the other band integrants followed their ways in the music scene, Biafra made a career as a controversial orator.
Despite its short existence, Dead Kennedys were a very important influence to a great and diversified number of bands, like Propaghandi, Misfits, Pixies, R.E.M., Sonic Youth and practically all hardcore punk rock bands. Not to mention the whole movement they created with their attitude, which made the minds of some of today's generations, like the punk-rockers, the straight-edges, skaters and rollers and, of course, the rebels. It was their ironic treatment they gave to authorities that made them a model for these people.
Dead Kennedys had an undeniable influence over politics and society in the US and, why not say, in the United Kingdom as well. Next time you hear a band playing harsh songs with great energy, like System Of A Down, remember where it all began. Because they were the ones who had the guts to break the line and tread on it.
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