DEAD KENNEDYS were a highly popular and influential hardcore punk band from the late 1970s to early 1980s in America. They were formed in San Francisco in 1978 when EAST BAY RAY placed an ad in a music publication and vocalist JELLO BIAFRA responded. They were soon joined by bassist KLAUS FLOURIDE, drummer TED, and a second guitarist known as 6025. The latter departed in March 1979, while Ted was replaced at the end of 1980 by D.H. PELIGRO.

After a brief period of rehearsal, Dead Kennedys played their first gig at Mabuhay Gardens in July 1978. The “Fab Mab” was a Filipino restaurant located in San Francisco’s North Beach area that served as a hub for punk bands for nearly a decade. It didn’t take long for the band to gain a significant following around San Francisco. Their live performances were a mix of chaos and theatrics, with a sound that could be described as a combination of the Sex Pistols and the Ventures.

Dead Kennedys’ early success led them to record their first single, “California Über Alles”. It was released on their own label, Alternative Tentacles Records, set up by East Bay Ray, in the USA. The single was later released in Britain on the indie label Fast Products. “Holiday in Cambodia” followed and is often considered the band’s defining moment – a perfect blend of biting lyrics mocking yuppies and music with an evil edge. Other notable songs included “Ki** the Poor” (1980) and “Too Drunk to Fu**” as their debut LP, FRESH FRUIT FOR ROTTING VEGETABLES, which went on to achieve Gold Record status in Britain.

Infused with a sharp sense of humor, Dead Kennedys’ early songs such as “Let’s Lynch the Landlord,” “I Ki** Children,” and “Chemical Warfare” satirized the extreme violence and conservatism prevalent in American society. The band’s provocative name and behavior, including Jello Biafra’s run for mayor of San Francisco in 1979 (where he came in fourth). The band also had a contentious relationship with authorities in the US, resulting in a heavy police presence at many of their shows.

Despite these challenges, the band continued to expand their fanbase by playing at underground venues across the USA and Canada. They embarked on their first British tour in late 1980, which solidified their reputation as a leading figure in the punk scene, with Biafra’s stage-diving antics receiving enthusiastic response from the audience. Dead Kennedys went on to tour extensively worldwide, covering North America, Europe, and Australia.

The release of the eight-track EP, IN GOD WE TRUST, INC, pushed the band’s musical boundaries even further, showcasing their speed and power that left many reviewers astonished and their contemporaries trailing behind. The EP included a wild cover of “Rawhide” and “Na** Punks, Fu** Off,” an anti-violence anthem. The band then underwent another musical shift with the release of PLASTIC SURGERY DISASTERS in late 1982. Considered by many as their best album, it featured a diverse range of songs that retained the trademark biting satire and savagery, with unexpected elements such as Klaus Flouride playing clarinet. The album included the singles “Bleed for Me.