AccuRadio Song Of The Day-Dead Kennecys

Artist:Dead Kennedys

Song:Holiday in Cambodia

Album:Give Me Convenience or Give Me Death

The Dead Kennedys were probably the first popular American punk band. This is despite the fact that the controversial nature of their music meant radio stations wouldn't play them. They were even involved in an obscenity trial. The Dead Kennedys were formed in San Francisco in 1978. Guitarist Raymond "East Bay Ray" Pepperell placed an ad in The Recycler. The other original members were lead singer Eric "Jello Biafra" Boucher, Geoffrey "Klaus Flouride" Lyall on bass, Carlos "6025" Cadona on rhythm guitar and Bruce "Ted" Slesinger on drums. The Sex Pistols were their biggest influence. Everything about Dead Kennedys including the band name was supposed to be notorious. They were forced to play gigs under pseudonyms or they wouldn't get booked. Pepperell claimed that the band name wasn't supposed to insult the Kennedy family. It's an homage to the death of The American Dream. After Cadona left the band, the Dead Kennedys released their 1980 debut album Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables on the British label Cherry Red. Holiday in Cambodia was the first single. Boucher wrote the song about Cambodian dictator Pol Pot. This was typical of their music. They were successful despite all the controversy. Slesinger was replaced in 1981 by Darren "D.H. Peligro" Henley. Polydor offered them a record deal. Boucher threatened to leave. Polydor rescinded the offer when they discovered the Dead Kennedys next single was Too Drunk to F**k. The band continued and even started their own label until they were charged with obscenity after a teen girl bought the album Frankenchrist. An album insert led to the charges. It ended in a hung jury. By 1987 Dead Kennedys had split up. They were disillusioned with the hardcore punk scene. Too many skinheads I guess. They would reform in 2001 minus Boucher who became a professional public speaker. The band is still around with a different lead singer. This comp CD covers the band's original run. Here's the video for Holiday in Cambodia by Dead Kennedys.