Cast your mind back to 1979. Many of us were simply a twinkle in our parents lives, but it is that era that conjures images of punk rock in all its glory. The Sex Pistols made people take notice on these shores and it was the legendary Dead Kennedys who had column inches dedicated to them in the States. Punk rock was becoming the latest movement and it is this very band that many people associate as being amongst the best of the best. Fifteen years ago, the DK played an intimate show in San Francisco’s Deaf Club and since then it has been repackaged, re-mastered and released by Manifesto Records, and it is an absolute peach.
Having only been around for a year or so, they had already gained a large quota of manic punk rockers and with the lineup consisting of the controversial Biafra on vocals, Klaus Fluride on bass, East Bay Ray on guitar and Ted on drums, it also featured the last performance of 6025 on guitar with the band, before he left for pastures new. What makes this disc stand out though, is how much you actually want to be at the concert the five piece put on. The electricity steams through the CD and with the tracks rather errily standing the test of time in regards to content, it makes it all the more essential for fans of old school hardcore punk and an absolute must for anyone vaguely interested in the Dead Kennedys. The 14 tracks on show will be familiar to most fans of the band as it includes a stunning rendition of ‘Holiday in Cambodia’, an early version of ‘When you get Drafted’ which was under the moniker of ‘Back in Rhodesia’ and arguably the jewel in the crown is an unreleased track by the name of ‘Gaslight’.
Where ever you stand on the whole Jello Vs The DK saga, you cannot deny the charisma the frontman shows during the concert is somewhat impressive. He quips, he bites and he gives the impression of being a vocalist that most frontmen would give the mic throwing arm for today. The rest of the release is made up of strong yet rough around the edges tracks such as the spit in your face ‘Kill the Poor’, ‘California Uber Alles’ and ‘Ill in the Head’. While all aren’t played to the exact note as some may expect, it is important to remember how the band were in their relative infancy when the gig was recorded. Listening to some of the later versions of the songs showed how they matured as a group with some subtle yet clever changes.
As mentioned earlier, this is a release all DK fans have been waiting for. It features a lot of their early classics, the original line up in all its glory and the artwork and packaging is to a high standard as well. To overlook this is slightly criminal for any lover of the fair old lady of punk, so checking it out should be essential stuff.
Jay
www.manifesto.com