Dead Kennedys Fresh Fruit For Rotting Vegetables on 180g LP
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.
The Dead Kennedys kicked the door in with their audacious 1980 debut which is filled to the brim with rage and thought provoking lyrics, plus some damn good songwriting and excellent production for a punk album from this time period. Featuring such powerful political punks anthems as "Let's Lynch the Landlord," "I Kill Children," "Chemical Warfare" and a killer cover of "Viva Las Vegas."