Line-up

Headliner
Dead Kennedys Last time in Portland: 8 years ago

Venue

Roseland Theater

8 NW Sixth Ave., 97209, Portland, OR, US

www.roselandpdx.com/

Capacity: 1,480

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Additional details

Doors open: 20:00

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Dead Kennedys biography

Having burst out of San Fransisco, California, US in the early ‘80s, Dead Kennedys went on to become one of America’s most successful punk bands with their uncompromising sound and vitriolic political satire.

Formed in 1978 by Jello Biafra (vocals), Klaus Flouride (bass), Bruce Slesinger a.k.a Ted (drums) and East Bay Ray (guitars), the Dead Kennedys became a household name in the local scene, through relentless performances in the Bay Area. An early independently-released single, “California Über Alles” displayed their visceral political angst, attacking the then governor, Jerry Brown. Equally biting, “Holiday in Cambodia” followed, as a stinging attack on the aftermath of the Vietnam War. Dead Kennedys had become an underground sensation both in the US and UK, with their debut album, “Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables” finding a strong following upon its release in 1980.

Ted left the band after the album release, replaced by Darren H. Peligro, with the Kennedys also creating their own label, Alternative Tentacles during this time (1981). Their first release on the label, the EP, “In God We Trust,” featured the controversial single, “Too Drunk to Fuck” which broke into the UK Top 40 despite being banned from airplay. A second full-length, “Plastic Surgery Disasters” followed after, with Alternative Tentacles quickly becoming a respected label in the punk scene.

Returning with their third album in 1985, “Frankenchrist,” the Dead Kennedy’s found themselves at the centre of an obscenity lawsuit, charged with distributing pornography to minors due to H.R. Giger’s album artwork of garish illustrations of penises and anuses. The case was eventually dismissed, with Biafra becoming a prominent voice for the advocacy of free speech.

Despite the court victory, the Dead Kennedys were unable ensure the band’s longevity, with 1986’s “Bedtime for Democracy” being their last official release. A posthumous compilation, “Give Me Convenience or Give Me Death appeared a year later, signalling the end of the Dead Kennedys burgeoning career.

However, after a long period of solo ventures, the band did decide to reunite in 2001, for a select number of live performances. Whilst without Biafra, the band went on to find a new energy, embarking on various global tours since, helping to continue the popularity of one of the nation’s most successful punk bands.

Live reviews

You would be hard pressed to find a band as iconic and revered in the punk scene as Dead Kennedys. Jello Biafra and the boys have been playing their unique politically driven style of punk since the late 70's, taking a long hiatus from 1986-2000 while members moved on to their own projects, such as Jello Biafras Guantanamo School of Medicine.

The Kennedys play huge (for the punk genre) crowds of ballistically wound up punks, some of which have been attending these shows since inception in the late 70's. The variety of people in the crowd is awe inspiring, and Jello's warbling voice has been speaking to the youth for decades. The atmosphere is electric whenever they take the stage.

Their first song at the show I saw was California Uber Alles -- one of their most adored and iconic songs. They played through tons of hits from Holiday in Cambodia, Bedtime for Democracy, and Frankenchrist.The ingrained "DK" logo was on shirts and leather jackets throughout the crowd, as one of the most recognized punk logos in history.

By the end of the surprisingly informal and personal show, right up next to the stage with the band, I was hoarse and drenched in sweat. I still remember the thriving mosh pit and passionate performance put on, even though it's been nearly 15 years since that night.The guys are getting old, and haven't played a show since 2010. It's rumored that they will come back for a series of short shows in the next few years, so keep a keen ear out and don't miss one of the most brash and wonderful bands the punk genre has ever witnessed.

Anonymous