POSSIBLE PULL QUOTE:The band was prosecuted under anti-obscenity laws because the album included an illustration of penises and anuses.
Back in the late 1970s in San Francisco, a band emerged with two intentions – to be as politically active and politically incorrect as possible at the same time. Thus, the Dead Kennedys began playing hardcore punk music infused with controversial anti-establishment lyrics, which would bring them notoriety both within the music scene and the judicial system.
Even today, band members are still drawing media attention due to the fighting amongst themselves. The Dead Kennedys formed in 1978, composed of singer Jell-O Biafra, bassist Klaus Flouride, guitarist East Bay Ray and drummer Ted. In 1979 the band released its first independent single, “California Uber Alles,” which was an attack on California’s then-governor, Jerry Brown, followed shortly afterward by their second single, “Holiday in Cambodia.” That same year, Biafra ran for mayor of San Francisco, finishing in fourth place. In 1980, the band released their debut album, Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables, on IRS Records. Shortly after the album was released, Ted left the band and was replaced by drummer Darren H. Peligro.
Then, in 1981, the Dead Kennedys formed their own independent record label, Alternative Tentacles. The first release on the label was the EP, In God We Trust Inc. That same year, the single “Too Drunk to Fuck” found its way into Britain’s Top 40, despite being banned from airplay. In 1982, the band released their second full-length album, (Plastic Surgery Disasters). The Dead Kennedys returned in 1985 with Frankenchrist, which earned the band its greatest notoriety, although not for its music. Included with the album was a poster of artist H.R. Giger’s Landscape #XX, an illustration of penises and anuses. A year after the release of the album, the Dead Kennedys and Alternative Tentacles were prosecuted under Californian anti-obscenity laws for distributing pornography to minors, because of the poster. In August 1987, a judge acquitted Biafra and four other co-defendants, overruled a deadlocked jury and declared a mistrial. Just prior to the start of the case in 1986, the band released Bedtime for Democracy, which turned out to be their last official album. After the case was settled, the Dead Kennedys split, releasing the compilation album Give Me Convenience Or Give Me Death in 1987.
Recently the ex-bandmates found themselves in court again – this time, against one another. In October 1998, the three remaining Dead Kennedys took Biafra and Alternative Tentacles to court for “failing to promote Dead Kennedys properly.” The trial ended in May 2000 and Alternative Tentacles lost the rights to the Dead Kennedys’ catalog. Biafra is appealing the case. With payments to the ex-Kennedys and the legal costs, Biafra and Alternative Tentacle Records now owe over a million dollars. Biafra has started the “Alternative Tentacles Legal Defense Fund” to try to help cover his costs. The Dead Kennedys have recently released reissues of the old albums, which do not give Biafra credit for songs he wrote. They have also released a live album entitled Mutiny on the Bay: Dead Kennedys Live! From The San Francisco Bay Area.
The band is currently on tour with a new singer, Brandon Cruz from the 1969 – 1972 sitcom “The Courtship of Eddie’s Father” and the singer for the punk band Dr. Know. They’re sometimes going under the name “DK Dead Kennedys.” The new foursome will be performing in South Florida on Saturday February 9th at Orbit Nightclub in Boynton Beach. Opening for them will be the Bad Habits, Against All Authority, and Anchorman.
Doors open at 7 p.m. and tickets are $16.50. For more information, call Orbit at 561/737-2199 or visit their website at www.orbit-nightclub.com.
