CaptainSensible
Joined: Nov 08, 2006
Posts: 650
Leesburg, VA
Posted on Nov 01 2008 02:07 PM
zak
I never followed Biafra's career beyond the DKs because (as someone once very concisely stated) 'he spent the 80s telling people to think for themselves and then spent the 90s telling people what to think' - I think that sums it up really nicely.
I had not heard that quote before, but it is perfectly true. Unfortunately, it applies to many, if not most, of the punk bands from that era. Well, at least those that touched on political issues. Henry Rollins comes to mind as well.
Personally, I like my punk to be just plain anti-establishment, regardless of who's running the show. Otherwise, its just a bunch of hippies playing really fast. The DK's in their prime could easily change California Uber Alles from a critique of Jerry Brown to Ronnie Reagan. Today, I doubt you'd find many bands, the Kennedys included, who would do so.
killbabykill34
Joined: Apr 03, 2010
Posts: 3201
Jacksonville, AL
Posted on Apr 08 2014 11:29 AM
This is a nice old thread that might need a revisiting, as their is much new music from these guys to be discussed.
I was just listening to the Jumbo Shrimp tracks and thought about this.
How many have checked out Jello Biafra and Guantanamo School of Medicine albums? Not bad what-so-ever. But they also really go a long way to proving that DK was a sum of its parts, not the work of one entity.
The same can be said for East Bay Ray and the Killer Smiles. His new punk band is really good. But it doesn't have the magic without Jello on the vocals.
For some reason a video of Jumbo Shrimp will not attach...so here is the URL.
IvanP
Joined: Feb 27, 2006
Posts: 10331
southern Michigan
Posted on Apr 08 2014 11:41 AM
Noah, have you had a chance to check out El Supernaut's new album "Plays Half Dead"?
There are instrumental covers of five Dead Kennedys tunes: Too Drunk to Fuck, Let's Lynch the Landlord, Holliday in Cambodia, Chemical Warfare, and Kill the Poor. All of the versions are AMAZING! I can't believe how well they work as instros! (Funny enough, they also cover a solo track by Graham Bonnet - of Rainbow fame - and Aces High by Iron Maiden! Quite diverse!)
killbabykill34
Joined: Apr 03, 2010
Posts: 3201
Jacksonville, AL
Posted on Apr 08 2014 11:44 AM
Ivan, I have not. I will certainly check it out. I have tinkered with a few DK songs in the past. Honestly, a LOT of their material works well as instro.
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