While “iconic” and “classic” has been overused to the point of being an eye-rolling cliché, Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables is
just that… a hugely influential work that created a major shift in the
culture and creation of music to come. “The band’s creative m.o.: left
leaning politics, mordant humor, gonzo imagery (What the hell do suede
denim secret police want with your uncool niece, for Christ sake?), and
muscular instrumentation. There was no other band that sounded like
DKs,” details Amy Linden, nationally recognized
journalist and former DK tour manager. “Dead Kennedys belied the
mainstream narrative/falsehood that punk was more about provocation and
attitude than actual skills and song craft. Which is not to say that
Dead Kennedys didn’t have a healthy respect for provocation: this was a
band not afraid to push, and even tear off, buttons.”
A harsh reaction to the Reagan era in American Politics, Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables tackled capitalism (the scathing and sarcastic and “Kill the Poor”), bioterrorism (“Chemical Warfare”) and even “affluenza” (“Holiday in Cambodia”). “California über alles”
(a pointed take on the anthem of Germany which begins “Deutschland,
Deutschland über alles”) was a blistering satirical take on Governor of
California Jerry Brown (1975-1983) and “hippie fascism.”
Dead Kennedys’ influence resounded loudly throughout punk, hardcore,
metal and rock. “If you had to define and summarize all of punk rock, in
my opinion it would be the Sex Pistols’ Never Mind the Bollocks, the Ramones’ Rocket to Russia, and Dead Kennedys’ Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables,” said David Ellefson, Megadeth. “It is a slab of timeless perfection that will never be duplicated or imitated,” adds Fletcher Dragge of Pennywise. “My
education was punk rock—what the Dead Kennedys said—it was attacking
America, but it was America at the same time,” contributes Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong. For Dave Grohl of Foo Fighters, the band’s impact was visceral and impactful. He remembers, “I went…to the DK’s Rock against Reagan show
in Washington [1984]…the Dead Kennedys were playing…and were one of my
favorite bands. There were police helicopters all over the place and
buses filled up with riot police. As a thirteen year old kid, that was
like my own little revolution.”
But what matters most is the music. As historic as Fresh Fruit For Rotting Vegetables
stands in the pantheon of music, it’s the personal effect it has on the
listener and how it really does stand the test of time. “Back in the
day, ‘deep listening’ was a part of the culture,” concludes East Bay
Ray. “When anyone got a new record, they sat back in a sofa or chair,
album cover in hand, and just listened. Dr. Ray highly recommends this
for the 2022 Mix of Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables.”
Dead Kennedys lineup on Fresh Fruit For Rotting Vegetables is Jello Biafra (lead vocals), East Bay Ray (guitar, Echoplex), Klaus Fluoride (bass, backing vocals), and Ted (drums). The 2022 Mix will be released on September 30, 2022 via Manifesto Records. The original 1980 mix will remain available. East Bay Ray and Klaus Fluoride are available for interviews.
1 Kill the Poor2 Forward to Death 3 When Ya Get Drafted 4 Let's Lynch the Landlord 5 Drug Me 6 Your Emotions 7 Chemical Warfare8 California Über Alles 9 I Kill Children 10 Stealing People's Mail 11 Funland at the Beach 12 Ill in the Head 13 Holiday in Cambodia 14 Viva Las Vegas
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