Dead Kennedys

The Dead Kennedys were a punk rock band from San Francisco, California. Attacking assumptions of the political left and right with humor, their music mixed the more experimental elements of English punk with the energy of the American punk

The Dead Kennedys were a punk rock band from San Francisco, California. Attacking assumptions of the political left and right with humor, their music mixed the more experimental elements of English punk with the energy of the American punk scene. Lead singer Jello Biafra was also responsible for releasing many other punk and alternative bands on his Alternative Tentacles record label.

The Dead Kennedys formed in June 1978, after guitarist East Bay Ray advertised for band mates. The original DK lineup consisted of Jello Biafra on vocals, East Bay Ray on lead guitar, 6025 on rhythm guitar, Klaus Flouride on bass, and Ted on drums. Their first concert was on July 19, 1978, at the Mabuhay Gardens in San Francisco. They played numerous shows at local venues afterwards. The band sometimes, because of their name, played under pseudonyms. These pseudonyms included "The Sharks", "The Creamsicles", and "The Pink Twinkies". 6025 quit in March of 1979 due to musical differences. In June of 1979, the band released their first single, "California Über Alles", on Alternative Tentacles. They followed with a well received east-coast tour.