🔍
← The Liner Notes
Artist Spotlight

Dead Kennedys

hardcore punk · 1980–1980

California Über Alles by Dead Kennedys — cover art

Picture a raucous San Francisco stage, buzzing with a raw energy that jolts you awake—this is the realm of Dead Kennedys. Emerging from the vibrant punk scene, this band carved their name into the annals of hardcore punk with an audacious blend of biting satire and frenetic sound. With iconic tracks like "Holiday in Cambodia" and "California Über Alles," they tackled social issues head-on while igniting the mosh pit frenzy. Fronted by the unforgettable Jello Biafra, their lineup—East Bay Ray, Klaus Flouride, D.H. Peligro, Carlos Cadona, and Brandon Cruz—delivered an electrifying experience that still resonates. From "Police Truck" to "Kill the Poor," their music became a rallying cry for the disenchanted. Dead Kennedys weren’t just a band; they were a movement, leaving a legacy that continues to inspire and provoke thought long after the last chord fades.

The facts

  • Formed 1978
  • United States
  • hardcore punk, punk rock
  • On I.R.S. Records, Alternative Tentacles, Cherry Red
  • Members: Jello Biafra, East Bay Ray, Klaus Flouride, D.H. Peligro, Carlos Cadona, Brandon Cruz

Dead Kennedys in the crate

California Über Alles by Dead Kennedys — cover art
California Über Alles
Dead Kennedys
1980
Holiday in Cambodia by Dead Kennedys — cover art
Holiday in Cambodia
Dead Kennedys
1980
Kill the Poor (2022 Mix) by Dead Kennedys — cover art
Kill the Poor (2022 Mix)
Dead Kennedys
1980
Let's Lynch the Landlord (2022 Mix) by Dead Kennedys — cover art
Let's Lynch the Landlord (2022 Mix)
Dead Kennedys
1980
Police Truck by Dead Kennedys — cover art
Police Truck
Dead Kennedys
1980
Viva Las Vegas (2022 Mix) by Dead Kennedys — cover art
Viva Las Vegas (2022 Mix)
Dead Kennedys
1980

🛍️ Get the Dead Kennedys merch

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Details