Active: 70's, 80's Formed: 1978 in San Francisco, CA
Pere Ubu, Black Sabbath, The Doors, The Sex Pistols, The Ramones, Elvis Presley, The Rolling Stones, The Ventures, Link Wray, Hasil Adkins, New York Dolls, MC5, The Dictators, Dick Dale, Eddie Cochran, The Clash, Syd Barrett, The Stooges Minor Threat, The Germs, X, Crown, Nomeansno, Ministry, Ludichrist, Circle Jerks, Black Flag, Cringer, Crucifucks, Bad Brains, Doctor Know, T.S.O.L., Social Distortion Alice Donut, The Necros, 98 Mute, Descendents, Henry Rollins, Fear, Good Riddance, M.I.A., Hard-Ons, Disaster Strikes, Crash Rickshaw, Cementerio Show, Leftöver Crack, Selby Tigers, Anti-Flag, D.I., Manic Hispanic, False Prophets, D.Y.S. |  |
The Dead Kennedys merged revolutionary politics with hardcore punk music and, in the process, became one of the defining hardcore bands. Often, they were more notable for their politics than their music, but that was part of their impact. The Kennedys were more inspired by British punk and the fiery, revolutionary-implied politics of the Sex Pistols than the artier tendencies of New York punk rockers. Under the direction of lead vocalist Jello Biafra, the Dead Kennedys became the most political and -- to the eyes of many observers, including Christians and right-wing politicians -- the most dangerous band in hardcore. By the mid-'80s, the band had become notorious enough to open themselves up to a prosecution for obscenity (concerning a poster inserted into their 1985 Frankenchrist album), and the ensuing court battle sped the band toward a breakup, but they left behind a legacy that influenced countless punk bands that followed.
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