Dead Kennedys were one of the most popular and important American hardcore punk bands of the late '70s/early '80s. They formed in San Francisco in 1978 when East Bay Ray placed an ad in a music paper that vocalist Jello Biafra responded to. They were soon joined by bassist Klaus Flouride, drummer Ted and a second guitarist known to posterity simply as 6025. The latter departed in March of 1979, while Ted was replaced at the very end of 1980 by D.H. Peligro.
It wasn't too long before the band gained a considerable following around San Francisco. Live, DKs were a combination of chaos and theatrics. Their sound could be described as a cross between the Sex Pistols and the Ventures. Underpinned by an acute sense of humor, their songs satirized the twin elements of extreme violence and conservatism that characterize much of American life.
After two years of touring in support of their 1982 classic Plastic Surgery Disasters, where they performed all over North America, Europe and Australia, the more melodic Frankenchrist appeared in 1985, marked by a frantic sense of desperation that reflected America's increasingly right-wing political landscape and with songs like "MTV Get Off the Air." As ever, the group ran into controversy, this time with the LP's accompanying poster, "Penis Landscape," by Swiss artist H. R. Giger.
1. Soup Is Good Food
2. Hellnation
3. This Could Be Anywhere (This Could Be Everywhere)
4. A Growing Boy Needs His Lunch
5. Chicken Farm
6. Jock-O-Rama (Invasion of the Beef Patrol)
7. Goons Of Hazzard
8. MTV - Get Off The Air
9. At My Job
10. Stars And Stripes Of Corruption
2. Hellnation
3. This Could Be Anywhere (This Could Be Everywhere)
4. A Growing Boy Needs His Lunch
5. Chicken Farm
6. Jock-O-Rama (Invasion of the Beef Patrol)
7. Goons Of Hazzard
8. MTV - Get Off The Air
9. At My Job
10. Stars And Stripes Of Corruption