Speaking as a black man who came of age in a rich Connecticut suburb during the Dead Kennedys' years of operation (though I was not rich), the band's unflinching and often scabrous honesty when commenting on socio-political issues greatly informed my teenage outlook on America and its policies. They were a much-needed blast of reality in an era whose impact is still being felt four decades later. We could use a band like the Dead Kennedys today.
"Nazi punks fuck off" was also written in retaliation to skinheads taking songs like this literally, and turning up to their gig's if my memory serves me correctly
stumble across some DK reaction video and the first thing I see his people just are not smart enought to even understand what jello means in his lyrics.
Btw this is sang from the governments point of view not their own view. It's to point out the rich and upper classes true intentions. People seem to get it more if it's done this way for some weird reason.
The reason for writing from another point of view and specifically this song is to give listeners the option to hear how these higher ups really think and live allowing listeners to decide for themselves that's it's not a good way to be. Also. A good way to weed out the less warranted parts of the audience. Lots of bands use this tactic.
@@davidholder7042 Lucky someone said it! It brings you into the shoes and logic of these people. He plays through not the thought itself, but the conditions that made it, what there is to be gained and in the same way the incredibly demeaning view of the value of human life it creates
The Dead Kennedys are anti-fascist, anti-war, sarcastic and spiced with very dark humour. Try 'Let's Lynch The Landlord', 'Holiday in Cambodia', 'California Über Alles' and my fav 'Nazi Punks Fuck Off' :)
@@OG.LMTDEDTNAgreed, Jello is the force behind the band. It's sad when Punks sell out like with Johnny Rotten the butter advertising Trump supporter...
Police Truck = commentary on police brutality, Holiday In Cambodia = commentary on the genocide in Cambodia during the mid-1970's, California Uber Alles = political commentary on the state of state and federal American government circa 1978-1982. These are all REALLY good songs from one of the smartest political punks in the scene ever!
Everything is right about this comment only holiday in Cambodia is about rich know it all kids who say they want to help people in need but don’t do anything besides telling they wanne help while they drive in cars from there dad and play jazz on expensive stereo set
"We've got to prove we're adults now - We're not a punk rock band we're a new wave band!" - Pull My Strings - can't wait till u get to ' I Kill Children'!
if you're starting to dip into Punk, & haven't really been exposed to it.... I'll be refreshing this channel every 5 minutes lol It's about to get good
He is talking about the "Welfare Reform" debate from California in the 70's. I had the t shirt in the 90's. It had the kill the poor art work with "Welfare Reform?" and "greed is not a family value" in big block letters on the back. Jello is a legend in the punk & anti-war/protest scenes for his satiric social commentary. I think you might like "Holliday in Cambodia" "California Über Alles" "When Ya Get Drafted" or "Let's Lynch the Landlord"
It seems Mr.L doesn’t have a history on punk, or he wouldn’t have thought this was an endorsement. Poverty is manufactured, and this is a jab to that fact.
There’s no way California Uber Alles is their most known song. It’s definitely Holiday in Cambodia. I like both of them but I agree with one of the earlier comments, I wanna see him react to Police Truck
You got it after you was confused at first. It's satire. He's speaking from the view of the politicians and elites that seemingly don't give a shit about the poor. It's an obvious one but "Holiday on Cambodia" should be next.
I've worn out at least 2 vinyl disc's of this album,saw them as a young fella in Wellington, New Zealand.....I was already a punk & the DK's were one American punk band that had gravitas....they got it....long live Jello Biafra,one of the punk prophets,rarer than hens teeth & just as cutting
the Dead Kennedys are a punk rock band and a staple of this genre is the witty, tongue in cheek, sometimes dark humour to prove a point about social and political situations. they were masters in the genre. The genre is not for everyone, some people may find it offensive but what they try to say is always relevant, unfortunately even 40 years later
Mr. Lboyd, you did finally grasp the concept of the Dead Kennedy's. Sarcasm with a message. Songs like Kill the Poor are through a rich white guys eyes. The DK's as fans refer to them as, are perhaps one of the most socially conscious bands ever. I have about 8 of their albums and they are Hardcore Punk legends. I was glad to see that you had the lyrics. Try listening to a song called Winnebago Warriors on the album Plastics Surgery Disasters. The music is aggressive and may sound like a bunch of angry white boys but equality and unity are at the roots of their music, also their drummer is black Peace ✌
Except IS it really parody. Jello didn't think so. Little has changed in the last 40+ years since this has been released. That's a missing part of actual punk, IMO, versus the sanitized and corporatized bands. The system has put everything into little boxes based on a specific sound, but in reality, if one looks at the lyrics, these could be some rapper or grindcore band creating these. With the same goal of speaking to the abuses of power by the 1 percent.
In addition to any explicit lyrics warnings you might put on Dead Kennedys songs, there should also be a label that reads Contents: sarcasm. They are not for everyone, but they are punk rock legends.
At the time, there was zero intent at it being satire. They sincerely hated the system as it was ( and still largely is ) and the government tried hard to crack down on them and censor their work for many years.
This was a big Dead Kennedys problem. They were highly a intellectual, and funny band. But some of the “fans” would miss the satire. Then you have these idiots going, “yeah, I hate poor people”. Personally my favorite band. While some bands were singing about love songs in the 80’s, DK was singing about the CIA in Central America. I would recommend “The Great Wall”. Very relevant today. Or “Bleed for me.” Also, relevant.
@@hannijazz3276 because anyone that would actually think that is neither reflective nor self aware enough to see the absurdity of such a view. It’s easy to see how sarcasm and irony would fly 30,000 feet above those peoples heads lol
amazing band, Jello Biafra (lead singer and lyricist) is an wildly intelligent guy. there are always many layers of irony in their music, though. check out California Uber Alles, Holiday in Cambodia, MTV Get Off the Air, Nazi Punks Fuck Off
Hell yeah! Dead Kennedys are (in my opinion, as you can tell by my profile pic) the best political punk band of all time, no contest. Jello Biafra (the lead singer and lyrical mastermind of the group) is a genius as far as satire and social commentary go. As a dude familiar with all their shit, I'll give you a list of the songs I think would be the best, most interesting sources of reaction content for you: "Police Truck", "Soup is Good Food", "MTV Get Off the Air", "Terminal Preppie", "Chickenshit Conformist", "Anarchy for Sale". BTW, "Holiday in Cambodia" is their most popular song, and it's brilliant and I would recommend it to anyone interested in some dope classic punk shit, but it's a bit... focused on a particular moment and place in history (namely critiquing America's inaction and American liberals thoughts regarding the Pol Pot regime) but I personally don't think it's their greatest lyricism despite the awesomeness of the track.
Moon over Marin is perhaps my favorite Dead Kennedy's song.........I dig the melancholia of it - you'll see. Dead Kennedy songs are often political/religious/social commentary songs, often from perspectives opposite of the artist's own personal feelings. It requires the listener to also evaluate where they are coming from, all while being beaten upside the head with sonic battery. It's a unique experience.
Punk and Hip Hop share a commonalty, they are both created by a class of people that are looked down upon by society as a whole during that time. Punk, much like the old battle rappers pulls no punches, they talk about uncomfortable subjects without fear and make no apologies for it. They have a real message to deliver unlike empty mainstream music. Both of these genes speak deeply to my heart and should be even more wide spread than they are. Love that your diving into this rabbit hole, but be prepared for low production quality and a really rough sound. But damn it's worth the journey, take care sir.
It's hard to point you in the right direction with punk it's a deep pit like any genre But... decent starting points Sex Pistols: God save the Queen The Clash: London Calling Iggy And The Stooges: Search and Destroy Pennywise: Bro Hymn NOFX: The Idiots Are Taking Over Rancid:... Bad Religion: You Fugazi: Waiting room Deeper pit: Descendents, Misfits, Dwarves, Choking Victim, Tiger Army, Catch 22, Black Flag, Strung Out, Circle Jerks, The Distillers. To many more to name Have fun :)
If you've never listened to a punk song in your life, then some of this definitely shocks you. Listen to some FEAR songs as well. I'd say Rage Against the Machine was definitely influenced by punk like this that brought awareness to politics.
I’m glad you like this and picked up on the satire and commentary. I also vote for Police Truck from the DKs written from the POV of a bad cop. Then I suggest Riot commenting on what they may really accomplish.
Ah you had me chuckling…. Glad to see you figured it out 😀 DK a part of my coming of age, check out some of their other songs like Winnebago Warrior, Kinky Sex Makes The World Go ‘Round, Terminal Preppie. As always, thanks for the reaction!
Dead Kennedys were one of the bands that Tipper Gore and the PMRC were trying to censor... One of the reasons albums have to have the Explicit Lyrics warnings on them lol. Punk was getting popular late 70s/early 80s and Dead Kennedys were outspoken against the government and it made them nervous that kids might start listening to the lyrics
Actually THE reason it all started. At the time, Jello wasn't intending it to be satire, any more than a typical grind core band or rapper 20 years later was. And many of them also faced stiff pressure from labels and the government for their messages.
Bro you are officially my new favorite reaction channel. Rage Against the Machine, Dead Kennedy’s, and System Of a Down all helped me wake up and see the injustice of the world
Want some punk with a nice funk, a band that ALMOST EVERY Punk and Rock band from 80's paid homage to.... The Bad Brains "Banned In DC" or "I Against I"
YES!!! Get deeper into punk! SO many great messages for kids, and adults alike! I highly recommend... To keep with the (abundance of) political 'wake up and call-to-arms' songs: NoFX - The Idiots Have Taken Over Anti Racism: Millencolin - Sense & Sensibility The horrors of war (and it's also a mini history lesson 😉): Propaghandi - Failed Imagineer
To be fair, when I first heard of them in 79 or 80 (foggy), of course, the name said everything to me. But if I were a millennial with no reference to Punk? Not sure it would be so obvious.
@@PuffyCloud_aka_puffeclaude Well, I am a millenial with no reference to Punk and not even English as native tongue (or second or third), but this one is utterly obvious to me. This seems rather depend on ones general knowledge and sense of irony and sarcasm.
"Who writes some shit like this, Bro?" Ha! That would be Jello Biafra. The punk rocker who once ran for mayor of San Francisco with campaign promises such as, all businessmen would be required to wear clown suits from the hours of 9:00 to 5:00, and actually came in third place! I AM THE OWL has always been a favorite of mine. A classic that has remained current since it was first etched in vinyl.
Yes! I voted for him. The punk scene was a lot of fun in San Francisco and I enjoyed it. Slam dancing at Mabuhay Gardens. So much energy and awareness in people unlike the horde of zombies and sheep in San Francisco now.
I love how you exactly got the meaning of the song and the spirit of the Dead Kennedys without knowing anything from them beforehand. They are/were ridiculous. It is full of political and social commentary. And they always make you giggle inside. Never seen a commentary of you, but you earned yourself a sub just because of this excellence. WWJD "what would Jello do"
Dead Kennedys have been one of the most important punk band from U.S. Jello Biafra wrote very meaningful political texts. His texts are very ironic and yet incredibly intelligent. His texts perfectly illustrate the squalor of his country's politics in his time. Jello Biafra often spoke in the shoes of his enemy, for example, in "California uber alles" he speaks as he was Governor Jerry Brown.
The Dead Kennedys were a great, often very ironic band. The Singer who took the name Jello Biafra is still active, nowadays in Jello Biafra & The Guantanamo School of Medecine. Check them out too...
This video right here is the reason I watch your channels. This band right here is one of the pillars of my music journey. First heard them as a 12 year old, fit my warped world view perfectly!
I love this song! Besides the Dead Kennedy songs mentioned already 'Lets Lynch the landlord' is good too. If you want to dive more into punk check out NOFX - The Decline, Misfits - Last Caress or Hybrid Moments, Social Distortion - Institutionalized. Great channel and insights on the stuff you review!
Suicidal Tendencies was great too. Misfits were so great but had just that tiny bit of far-right edge, such a shame. Black Flag managed it kind of ok, but they had to do a 3 point turn.
The most frenetic show I ever attended: DK's, circa 1985, Minneapolis. Husker Du, and Black Flag opened. Walking to the show, my friend and I saw the whole band, minus Jello, eating dinner before the show in a hotel restaurant. We went in and interrupted their meals for (ugh!), after they had had enough of us, autographs (we were 13 years old). Audience Participation is an understatement as far as what went on during the show. I don't really remember this, but my friend that attended and stayed a safe distance from the stage, claims that one of the several times I made it on stage (everyone made it up there, eventually) I made eye contact with Jello, flipped him off, then he flipped me off, and I then dove into the crowd. The show was at the Minneapolis Armory, and for some reason a Boy Scout Troop attended, sitting a safe distance from the main floor in the bleachers, which were empty save for them. Jello called them out at one point to make a sardonic comment about their affiliation. I really feel bad for kids today that will never see something like that, nor participate in such a grass roots scene that it was, run for the most part by kids. I did a 'zine and corresponded briefly with Jello -he sent me an Eat the Rich t shirt - and other hard core bands, as well as other kids from all over the country.
"Nazi Punks Fuck Off" is great but...well, it doesn't contain any surprises, the song is exactly what it says it is. "Holiday in Cambodia" is just awesome. "I Fought The Law" is maybe the most interesting cover out there because of how it inverts the original. Spoiler, the main lyric is, "I fought the law and I won". It will also be an interesting history test, because it is about something VERY specific.
It takes on another meaning if you were young in the early eighties going to a Dead Kennedys live show. Ive seen many and the message and fire seeps into your soul. Punk rock appeal. Check footage of a live Dead Kennedys show
They were one of the first concerts I attended in CA in the early '80s, and the last concert I attended a few years ago in Port Canaveral, FL. LOVE THEM.
Dude, I requested "NOFX - The Decline" like a month ago, still waiting on it. Losing all hope that he will actually do it. But you're 100% correct, he deffo needs some good Punk on this channel!
Welcome to Punk. I've been listening to Dead Kennedys for over 30 years. "California Uber Alles" is a must and "Holiday in Cambodia". You need to try the Sex Pistols - "God save the Queen". Jello Biafra, the lead singer started a new band Lard, listen to the "Power of Lard".
The Man is singing from the point of view of the System!!...Jello is a political genius!!!! True warrior! Got go to the classic: Lets Lynch the Landlord / Holiday in Cambja / California Ubber Alles / Forest Fire
Punk was all about social and political commentary, being blatant, the music and the lyrics are in your face. The singer is Jello Biafra. Check out his spoken word and interviews he did.
Bro that "giggle" you keep feeling is the inherent ridiculousness that DK's exposed about the good ole 🇺🇸. With music. Jello Biafra is a fascinating guy.
The ultimate cynicism in poetic harmony in a wild voice is causing your giggle. It's part of the harsh brilliance and sad reality. Very effective. Very relevant. Very needed more than ever...
This band actually influenced "heavier" bands like Slayer and Cannibal Corpse, btw. Anyway, please also check out Jello's side projects like his work with D.O.A., or Lard, or his new band Jello Biafra and the Guantanamo School of Medicine. I do know one other channel looked at 1 Lard song, but most of this stuff gets few reaction vids that I can find.
I didnt think you was going to understand it, but then it clicked. This song was written by jello when we all lived under the threat of nuclear war. Its wrote from the perspective of someone say in government looking down on the unruly classes and taking them out in a blinding flash of light. You got there in the end bro
Took you a few minutes but you got there: Dead Kennedys were often a tremendously ironic band. They were punks through and through, abrasive with it and always went straight for the throat. They criticised everyone and spared no one - no favouritism. Yes, this song IS sung from the perspective of the 1% uber rich.
Dead Kennedys were masters at social commentary. IMO, they are the best punk rock band to ever exist. They were not afraid to call out the bullshit they saw in society and politics. In this song, they used a 1, 6, 4, 5 chord progression, which was very popular in the late 50s and early 60s, particularly in love songs. The contrast of the history of the use of that chord progression and the lyrical content of this song is a social commentary in of itself - Conservatives would love getting rid of the poor. Why not use a 1, 6, 4, 5 chord progression to express that. Other songs? - Police Truck - Forest Fire - Moral Majority - California Uber Allies / We've Got A Bigger Problem Now - Nazi Punks Fuck Off - M.T.V. - Get off the Air - Soup Is Good Food
Jello is a master of sarcasm. He cuts pretty deep. You have to remember that this is a punk rock band. Not many are pro-establishments. Look up where Jello ran for Mayor of San Fran.
For DK - Try Halloween, We've Got A Bigger Problem Now, and Pull My Strings. Also worth checking out is the project Jello Biafra did with Ministry, called Lard. Try "I Wanna Be a Drug Sniffing Dog" for good introduction.
For those interested in a bit of historical background, Holiday In Cambodia is lyrically about a time and place that was overshadowed by the Vietnam War. If you look on a map, there’s only a jungle border between the two countries. During the turmoil of the Vietnam war, a man named Pol Pot asserted himself as the new leader of Cambodia. The Cambodian people were then forced on death marches and executed along the roadsides for anything suspicious, like literacy, etc, etc. It was depicted in THE KILLING FIELDS. …also documented in the autobiographical book, CAMBODIAN WITNESS, by Someth May. The song refers to many things, capitalism and apathy, ignorance, murderous dictators, pop culture overshadowing other important events, the list goes on. (FYI, Jello Biafra is no longer with DKs, they have a dif singer now.)
DEAD KENNEDYS had the balls to stand up to the establishment and upper society before anyone else did. It’s a COMMENTARY on EVERYTHING that’s wrong in this world, and JELLO BIAFRA is one of the most courageous men you’ll EVER have the pleasure to hear sing. EVER
Had a Kill the Poor tshirt back in 96 or 97 that said “Greed is not a family value.” on the back. I had one of teacher that loved it and one that was disgusted by it. I asked her if she wanted me to change into the Tool shirt that Jesus on the front. She said no and made me turn the one inside out.
We grew up Mormon but my brother tried skateboarding for a year and we fell into the Dead Kennedys, the Sex Pistols, and all kinds of raucous music. I can't believe my parents paid so little attention--they'd have lost their minds if they'd heard what we were singing. :) I felt so bad for you, watching your discomfort, but when you mentioned the urge to giggle, I could tell you were having the right response. This was a pretty brave reaction choice--keep 'em coming!!
Punk has several bands who would say the quiet parts out loud at a time when the right did not. The song right after his on the album is ‘Let’s lunch the landlord’.
Bay Area band from my youth!! College radio in the ‘78-82 span when I played were amazing and I appreciate them even more now. Punked in Lawrence Kansas 😎💕
the crazy thing about the DEAD KENNEDYS (and I grew up with them ) is: they sang this in 1977/78. They were a lot into Noam Chomsky and movies like THEY LIVE etc. A lot of what DK predicted came true...
If you think Dead Kennedys are brutal, try listening to some of the early tracks by Discharge. What was groundbreaking with DK was they were a typical white punk band with a black drummer. I used to play in a hardcore punk band with an Indian drummer. Like Indian not native American. Goes to show how music unites us all.
Speaking as a black man who came of age in a rich Connecticut suburb during the Dead Kennedys' years of operation (though I was not rich), the band's unflinching and often scabrous honesty when commenting on socio-political issues greatly informed my teenage outlook on America and its policies. They were a much-needed blast of reality in an era whose impact is still being felt four decades later. We could use a band like the Dead Kennedys today.
Also, do yourself the favor and check out their songs "Jock-O-Rama (Invasion of the Beef Patrol)" and "Bleed for Me."
I’m a product of that new age, and I don’t think they would survive. Not quite as a punk group, but just open opposition of the state in such a matter
jello biafra and the guantanamo school of medicine. He's still saying what needs to be said!
Right? I'm a white boy from the "bad" neighborhood in the city I grew up in. When I was about 8 the Dead Kennedy's were like my red pill.
Got to meet jello once, he was a genuinely nice and humble guy
"Nazi Punks Fuck Off" is like a minute long, and one of their most concise songs
"Nazi punks fuck off" was also written in retaliation to skinheads taking songs like this literally, and turning up to their gig's if my memory serves me correctly
@@el-violador Poe's Law before the internet
deadass a banger and pretty lyrically perfect. Great hardcore
Dog bite
A man and his lawn mower
“What is this?!”
It’s satire..and very intelligent satire because it has a political message.
Me, bashing my head against the wall every 30 sec saying “that’s the f****** point of the song!!!
@@griffinburke1560 Yeah that was a rough take.
stumble across some DK reaction video and the first thing I see his people just are not smart enought to even understand what jello means in his lyrics.
And it’s a snappy tune.
And if you laugh, it's because Jello does it so over the top and sarcastic that you can't help it.
Btw this is sang from the governments point of view not their own view. It's to point out the rich and upper classes true intentions. People seem to get it more if it's done this way for some weird reason.
How can't he know that? Man some people are so dumb lol
It's not to make people get it, it's just a literary style that works great for some satire.
The reason for writing from another point of view and specifically this song is to give listeners the option to hear how these higher ups really think and live allowing listeners to decide for themselves that's it's not a good way to be. Also. A good way to weed out the less warranted parts of the audience. Lots of bands use this tactic.
@@davidholder7042 Lucky someone said it! It brings you into the shoes and logic of these people.
He plays through not the thought itself, but the conditions that made it, what there is to be gained and in the same way the incredibly demeaning view of the value of human life it creates
The Dead Kennedys are anti-fascist, anti-war, sarcastic and spiced with very dark humour. Try 'Let's Lynch The Landlord', 'Holiday in Cambodia', 'California Über Alles' and my fav 'Nazi Punks Fuck Off' :)
Well the lead singer and songwriter was anyway. The rest of the band are all bootlickers now.
Don't forget "I Kill Children" "Funland at the Beach" or my personal favorite, "Halloween"
@@OG.LMTDEDTNAgreed, Jello is the force behind the band. It's sad when Punks sell out like with Johnny Rotten the butter advertising Trump supporter...
Nothing sarcastic about “Lynch the Landlord”
@@steveparker8065 jello still thinks we live in the 70s and just supports leftist nonsense like blm
adapt to reality
Police Truck = commentary on police brutality, Holiday In Cambodia = commentary on the genocide in Cambodia during the mid-1970's, California Uber Alles = political commentary on the state of state and federal American government circa 1978-1982. These are all REALLY good songs from one of the smartest political punks in the scene ever!
Everything is right about this comment only holiday in Cambodia is about rich know it all kids who say they want to help people in need but don’t do anything besides telling they wanne help while they drive in cars from there dad and play jazz on expensive stereo set
Since you seem to have a love for the political punk, if you haven't heard The Rebel Spell, give them a listen. They were legends of my local scene.
@@mudvana8606 well said Levi, I forgot to mention that angle!
and"We've Got A Bigger Problem Now"!
Have you ever heard any of Frank Zappa's speeches? VERY intelligent guy too.
"We've got to prove we're adults now - We're not a punk rock band we're a new wave band!" - Pull My Strings - can't wait till u get to ' I Kill Children'!
if you're starting to dip into Punk, & haven't really been exposed to it.... I'll be refreshing this channel every 5 minutes lol It's about to get good
Man if i had some spare cash laying around id have donated for punk weeks ago. Nofx, bad religion, leftover crack, etc.
And Minutemen, Husker Du, Minor Threat, Scream…
@@OG.LMTDEDTN I think he'd really enjoy 'Merican by Descendants.
@@OG.LMTDEDTN And now all I want is MrL reviewing Aus Rotten
I wanna see crass!
Best line: "Jane Fonda on the screen today/
Convinced the liberals it's okay."
Jello hates the liberals almost as much as the conservatives. See We've Got a Bigger Problem Now.
He is talking about the "Welfare Reform" debate from California in the 70's. I had the t shirt in the 90's. It had the kill the poor art work with "Welfare Reform?" and "greed is not a family value" in big block letters on the back. Jello is a legend in the punk & anti-war/protest scenes for his satiric social commentary. I think you might like "Holliday in Cambodia" "California Über Alles" "When Ya Get Drafted" or "Let's Lynch the Landlord"
ironically jello is a capitalist
he wanted 70% of the bands profits claiming he did the majority of work
i believe there is a word for that
I had that t-shirt as well!
@@joesmith5159 and he was right. DK sucks without Jello
The welfare reform debate never goes away, The same kind of people still literally want all the poor people to just die.
I had that shirt about 10 years ago now!
It seems Mr.L doesn’t have a history on punk, or he wouldn’t have thought this was an endorsement. Poverty is manufactured, and this is a jab to that fact.
I forgot most societies lived in perpetual abundance before the 19th century
Now perpetual abundance is reserved for an ELITE few.
@@eugenecaudill5361 take all of the money of the top 1% and spilt it equally among all people on earth and calculate how far that gets you.
Are you being sardonic?
@@rocklee5231 You think that's what people want? hahahaha
Holiday in Cambodia is a great one. California Uber Alles is probably their most well known song.
Those are great songs - but they are also kinda overdone. I’d rather see something like This Could be Anywhere or Police Truck.
@@xtldc I don’t disagree with your assessment, but was thinking for someone who was a DK virgin until today.
There’s no way California Uber Alles is their most known song. It’s definitely Holiday in Cambodia. I like both of them but I agree with one of the earlier comments, I wanna see him react to Police Truck
No one eve mentions Moon Over Marin. One of my personal favorites.
@@maninblack9191 I like the lyrical content of Moon Over Marin, but sonically it doesn’t do much for me.
You got it after you was confused at first.
It's satire. He's speaking from the view of the politicians and elites that seemingly don't give a shit about the poor.
It's an obvious one but "Holiday on Cambodia" should be next.
This, 💯
FACTS
Fresh fruit for rotting vegetables. Classic album
Plastic surgery disasters>
Fresh Fruit is one of the top 10 punk albums.
I've worn out at least 2 vinyl disc's of this album,saw them as a young fella in Wellington, New Zealand.....I was already a punk & the DK's were one American punk band that had gravitas....they got it....long live Jello Biafra,one of the punk prophets,rarer than hens teeth & just as cutting
the Dead Kennedys are a punk rock band and a staple of this genre is the witty, tongue in cheek, sometimes dark humour to prove a point about social and political situations. they were masters in the genre. The genre is not for everyone, some people may find it offensive but what they try to say is always relevant, unfortunately even 40 years later
This song is obviously left wing satire. The singer is Jello Biafra, and he is well known for his left wing politics.
"who writes some shit like this bro?" Haha
Absolutely people who care that the government doesn't.
Very well said man
I feel like this song is a direct descendant of Swift's "A Modest Proposal".
That's def how I saw it
OG satirical commentarian...plugged in Rus' respect Swift as an Irish dissident aggressor.
I read this as Taylor Swift and chuckled a bit for myself lol
@@shacozzi4888 Lol
Precisely!
Mr. Lboyd, you did finally grasp the concept of the Dead Kennedy's. Sarcasm with a message. Songs like Kill the Poor are through a rich white guys eyes. The DK's as fans refer to them as, are perhaps one of the most socially conscious bands ever. I have about 8 of their albums and they are Hardcore Punk legends. I was glad to see that you had the lyrics. Try listening to a song called Winnebago Warriors on the album Plastics Surgery Disasters. The music is aggressive and may sound like a bunch of angry white boys but equality and unity are at the roots of their music, also their drummer is black Peace ✌
Jello Biafra: let's make a parody song about killing the poor.
The rest of DK: OH PARODY
Except IS it really parody. Jello didn't think so. Little has changed in the last 40+ years since this has been released. That's a missing part of actual punk, IMO, versus the sanitized and corporatized bands. The system has put everything into little boxes based on a specific sound, but in reality, if one looks at the lyrics, these could be some rapper or grindcore band creating these. With the same goal of speaking to the abuses of power by the 1 percent.
In addition to any explicit lyrics warnings you might put on Dead Kennedys songs, there should also be a label that reads Contents: sarcasm. They are not for everyone, but they are punk rock legends.
I'm surprised he didn't have anything to say about Jello's delivery.
@@denniscampbell4272 good bc if he had he might have received a swift 1 2
At the time, there was zero intent at it being satire. They sincerely hated the system as it was ( and still largely is ) and the government tried hard to crack down on them and censor their work for many years.
Man your dabbling in everything. D.k. is great oldskool punk👍. Holiday in Cambodia 😉
😜😜😜😜😜
This was a big Dead Kennedys problem. They were highly a intellectual, and funny band. But some of the “fans” would miss the satire. Then you have these idiots going, “yeah, I hate poor people”. Personally my favorite band. While some bands were singing about love songs in the 80’s, DK was singing about the CIA in Central America. I would recommend “The Great Wall”. Very relevant today. Or “Bleed for me.” Also, relevant.
"Bleed for Me" and "I Am The Owl"- great stuff.
they actually had nazis who didn't understand california uber alles show up to their shows, which lead them to making nazi punks fuck off.
Wow how can anyone not recognize "kill the poor" as satire this is beyond me
@@hannijazz3276 because anyone that would actually think that is neither reflective nor self aware enough to see the absurdity of such a view. It’s easy to see how sarcasm and irony would fly 30,000 feet above those peoples heads lol
Nowadays, sarcasm is an especially lost concept.
amazing band, Jello Biafra (lead singer and lyricist) is an wildly intelligent guy. there are always many layers of irony in their music, though. check out California Uber Alles, Holiday in Cambodia, MTV Get Off the Air, Nazi Punks Fuck Off
All great, throw Riot in there too
We've got a bigger problem now.
@@erichardman9637 I don't know if Riot is more accurate or depressive
Yet some of the songs were strictly for shock value, eg I Kill Children, Ill In the Head, Too Drunk to F**k
Hell yeah! Dead Kennedys are (in my opinion, as you can tell by my profile pic) the best political punk band of all time, no contest. Jello Biafra (the lead singer and lyrical mastermind of the group) is a genius as far as satire and social commentary go. As a dude familiar with all their shit, I'll give you a list of the songs I think would be the best, most interesting sources of reaction content for you: "Police Truck", "Soup is Good Food", "MTV Get Off the Air", "Terminal Preppie", "Chickenshit Conformist", "Anarchy for Sale". BTW, "Holiday in Cambodia" is their most popular song, and it's brilliant and I would recommend it to anyone interested in some dope classic punk shit, but it's a bit... focused on a particular moment and place in history (namely critiquing America's inaction and American liberals thoughts regarding the Pol Pot regime) but I personally don't think it's their greatest lyricism despite the awesomeness of the track.
Best punk band of all time. 100%. Sofa king smart, Jello is. ❤
Moon over Marin is perhaps my favorite Dead Kennedy's song.........I dig the melancholia of it - you'll see. Dead Kennedy songs are often political/religious/social commentary songs, often from perspectives opposite of the artist's own personal feelings. It requires the listener to also evaluate where they are coming from, all while being beaten upside the head with sonic battery. It's a unique experience.
Best dk song ever.
Nice comment !
Yeah I like Moon over Marin
Punk and Hip Hop share a commonalty, they are both created by a class of people that are looked down upon by society as a whole during that time. Punk, much like the old battle rappers pulls no punches, they talk about uncomfortable subjects without fear and make no apologies for it. They have a real message to deliver unlike empty mainstream music. Both of these genes speak deeply to my heart and should be even more wide spread than they are. Love that your diving into this rabbit hole, but be prepared for low production quality and a really rough sound. But damn it's worth the journey, take care sir.
It's hard to point you in the right direction with punk it's a deep pit like any genre
But... decent starting points
Sex Pistols: God save the Queen
The Clash: London Calling
Iggy And The Stooges: Search and Destroy
Pennywise: Bro Hymn
NOFX: The Idiots Are Taking Over
Rancid:...
Bad Religion: You
Fugazi: Waiting room
Deeper pit: Descendents, Misfits, Dwarves, Choking Victim, Tiger Army, Catch 22, Black Flag, Strung Out, Circle Jerks, The Distillers. To many more to name
Have fun :)
If you've never listened to a punk song in your life, then some of this definitely shocks you. Listen to some FEAR songs as well. I'd say Rage Against the Machine was definitely influenced by punk like this that brought awareness to politics.
I love livin' in the city!
YYYEEEEEEEESSSS
Next I would recommend 'Police Truck' or their best known song, 'Holiday in Cambodia'
I’m glad you like this and picked up on the satire and commentary. I also vote for Police Truck from the DKs written from the POV of a bad cop.
Then I suggest Riot commenting on what they may really accomplish.
Yes Police Truck!!
At My Job
Soup is Good Food
Chickenshit Conformist
Ah you had me chuckling…. Glad to see you figured it out 😀 DK a part of my coming of age, check out some of their other songs like Winnebago Warrior, Kinky Sex Makes The World Go ‘Round, Terminal Preppie. As always, thanks for the reaction!
Dead Kennedys were one of the bands that Tipper Gore and the PMRC were trying to censor... One of the reasons albums have to have the Explicit Lyrics warnings on them lol. Punk was getting popular late 70s/early 80s and Dead Kennedys were outspoken against the government and it made them nervous that kids might start listening to the lyrics
Watch the hearing it's on CZcams.
Actually THE reason it all started. At the time, Jello wasn't intending it to be satire, any more than a typical grind core band or rapper 20 years later was. And many of them also faced stiff pressure from labels and the government for their messages.
This is what I love about both old school punk and hip hop. They both have socially conscious lyrics and something to say.
Love the Dead Kennedies , you'd probably really enjoy Holiday In Cambodia. Riot is my fave track from them and one of the most hype tracks ever.
Riot would be a great one to see a reaction
riot is such a fantastic song...... good choice 👍
Bro you are officially my new favorite reaction channel. Rage Against the Machine, Dead Kennedy’s, and System Of a Down all helped me wake up and see the injustice of the world
Want some punk with a nice funk, a band that ALMOST EVERY Punk and Rock band from 80's paid homage to.... The Bad Brains "Banned In DC" or "I Against I"
Damn straight. I've got banned in DC on vinyl.
But if you want some punk with actual funk I recommend Big Boys and Minutemen.
YES!!! Get deeper into punk! SO many great messages for kids, and adults alike! I highly recommend...
To keep with the (abundance of) political 'wake up and call-to-arms' songs: NoFX - The Idiots Have Taken Over
Anti Racism: Millencolin - Sense & Sensibility
The horrors of war (and it's also a mini history lesson 😉): Propaghandi - Failed Imagineer
Growing up, I mainly listened to rap but.... dead Kennedys was definitely one of my favorite groups/bands in the punk rock genre.
As smart as this man is I would have thought he would have connected that a band named the Dead Kennedys would be steeped in irony
He listens to Tom McDonald without recognizing it as effectively reactionary agitprop
To be fair, when I first heard of them in 79 or 80 (foggy), of course, the name said everything to me.
But if I were a millennial with no reference to Punk? Not sure it would be so obvious.
@@PuffyCloud_aka_puffeclaude Well, I am a millenial with no reference to Punk and not even English as native tongue (or second or third), but this one is utterly obvious to me. This seems rather depend on ones general knowledge and sense of irony and sarcasm.
"Who writes some shit like this, Bro?"
Ha! That would be Jello Biafra. The punk rocker who once ran for mayor of San Francisco with campaign promises such as, all businessmen would be required to wear clown suits from the hours of 9:00 to 5:00, and actually came in third place!
I AM THE OWL has always been a favorite of mine. A classic that has remained current since it was first etched in vinyl.
He actually won in the Haight. I wasn’t old enough to vote back then but I was there, lol.
@@berkeleygirllaserbeam nice! I was a Huntington Beach punk but not until '81 so I missed that.
Yes! I voted for him. The punk scene was a lot of fun in San Francisco and I enjoyed it. Slam dancing at Mabuhay Gardens. So much energy and awareness in people unlike the horde of zombies and sheep in San Francisco now.
You’re slowly going through my playlist and I’m all about it
I love how you exactly got the meaning of the song and the spirit of the Dead Kennedys without knowing anything from them beforehand. They are/were ridiculous. It is full of political and social commentary. And they always make you giggle inside. Never seen a commentary of you, but you earned yourself a sub just because of this excellence.
WWJD "what would Jello do"
Dead Kennedys have been one of the most important punk band from U.S. Jello Biafra wrote very meaningful political texts. His texts are very ironic and yet incredibly intelligent. His texts perfectly illustrate the squalor of his country's politics in his time. Jello Biafra often spoke in the shoes of his enemy, for example, in "California uber alles" he speaks as he was Governor Jerry Brown.
The Dead Kennedy's were ''Woke'' way before ''Woke'' was fashionable.
Police Truck is another classic.
Jello is a treasure
The Dead Kennedys were a great, often very ironic band. The Singer who took the name Jello Biafra is still active, nowadays in Jello Biafra & The Guantanamo School of Medecine. Check them out too...
I clicked so fast on this!! Got into punk in 88 and never stopped. Great choice!!
This video right here is the reason I watch your channels. This band right here is one of the pillars of my music journey. First heard them as a 12 year old, fit my warped world view perfectly!
I love this song! Besides the Dead Kennedy songs mentioned already 'Lets Lynch the landlord' is good too. If you want to dive more into punk check out NOFX - The Decline, Misfits - Last Caress or Hybrid Moments, Social Distortion - Institutionalized. Great channel and insights on the stuff you review!
The Decline really needs to appear on this channel. Really can't understand how come nobody has yet requested it before
Suicidal Tendencies was great too. Misfits were so great but had just that tiny bit of far-right edge, such a shame. Black Flag managed it kind of ok, but they had to do a 3 point turn.
Old school Punks are always making hilarious commentaries
Much of punk is tongue-in-cheek commentary on the major problems with society and the government.
Very much so, White Riot is an example of misinterpretation by far too many
Punk has always been sarcastic, know that going in!
This makes me so happy! DK is satire and brilliance. should really see Jello live to get the whole vibe!!!
The most frenetic show I ever attended: DK's, circa 1985, Minneapolis. Husker Du, and Black Flag opened. Walking to the show, my friend and I saw the whole band, minus Jello, eating dinner before the show in a hotel restaurant. We went in and interrupted their meals for (ugh!), after they had had enough of us, autographs (we were 13 years old). Audience Participation is an understatement as far as what went on during the show. I don't really remember this, but my friend that attended and stayed a safe distance from the stage, claims that one of the several times I made it on stage (everyone made it up there, eventually) I made eye contact with Jello, flipped him off, then he flipped me off, and I then dove into the crowd. The show was at the Minneapolis Armory, and for some reason a Boy Scout Troop attended, sitting a safe distance from the main floor in the bleachers, which were empty save for them. Jello called them out at one point to make a sardonic comment about their affiliation. I really feel bad for kids today that will never see something like that, nor participate in such a grass roots scene that it was, run for the most part by kids. I did a 'zine and corresponded briefly with Jello -he sent me an Eat the Rich t shirt - and other hard core bands, as well as other kids from all over the country.
"Nazi Punks Fuck Off" is great but...well, it doesn't contain any surprises, the song is exactly what it says it is.
"Holiday in Cambodia" is just awesome.
"I Fought The Law" is maybe the most interesting cover out there because of how it inverts the original. Spoiler, the main lyric is, "I fought the law and I won". It will also be an interesting history test, because it is about something VERY specific.
"Too Drunk to F*ck" "Soup is Good Food" "Cesspools in Eden" are some of my favorites.
Jello Biafra once ran for mayor of San Francisco. He’s a character 🤣❤️🇨🇦🎶
It takes on another meaning if you were young in the early eighties going to a Dead Kennedys live show. Ive seen many and the message and fire seeps into your soul. Punk rock appeal. Check footage of a live Dead Kennedys show
Echoing other comments. Definitely try out "Holiday in Cambodia" next
I miss the irony and sarcasm of the late 70s and early 80s.
I recommend "Too Drunk To Fuck".
My wife's favorite song.
I know that sounds like a punchline, but we're both huge fans and it's literally her favorite song from the time.
They were one of the first concerts I attended in CA in the early '80s, and the last concert I attended a few years ago in Port Canaveral, FL. LOVE THEM.
You should definitely react to NOFX or Anti-Flag, you're up for a treat.
Dude, I requested "NOFX - The Decline" like a month ago, still waiting on it. Losing all hope that he will actually do it. But you're 100% correct, he deffo needs some good Punk on this channel!
@@lashertank4128 he should definitely do the Decline.
Nofx are the fucking best
@@ciaranoneill253 and yet this dude is afraid to react to their content.
Welcome to Punk. I've been listening to Dead Kennedys for over 30 years. "California Uber Alles" is a must and "Holiday in Cambodia". You need to try the Sex Pistols - "God save the Queen". Jello Biafra, the lead singer started a new band Lard, listen to the "Power of Lard".
Kill The Poor is a hilarious song. I love Jello’s political satires
The Man is singing from the point of view of the System!!...Jello is a political
genius!!!! True warrior! Got go to the classic: Lets Lynch the Landlord / Holiday in Cambja / California Ubber Alles / Forest Fire
Punk was all about social and political commentary, being blatant, the music and the lyrics are in your face. The singer is Jello Biafra. Check out his spoken word and interviews he did.
Bro that "giggle" you keep feeling is the inherent ridiculousness that DK's exposed about the good ole 🇺🇸. With music. Jello Biafra is a fascinating guy.
My first DKs album purchased in the 80s: In God We Trust, inc. what a beautiful blast of noise. One of my favorites.
M I C- K E Y- M O U S E
That album is wonderful at addressing religion the way they usually address government
I have a blue vinyl version of this
Sarcasm is the main theme in those lyrics.
This is punk irony at its finest.
The ultimate cynicism in poetic harmony in a wild voice is causing your giggle. It's part of the harsh brilliance and sad reality. Very effective. Very relevant. Very needed more than ever...
This band actually influenced "heavier" bands like Slayer and Cannibal Corpse, btw. Anyway, please also check out Jello's side projects like his work with D.O.A., or Lard, or his new band Jello Biafra and the Guantanamo School of Medicine. I do know one other channel looked at 1 Lard song, but most of this stuff gets few reaction vids that I can find.
LARD is so good. Al and Jello was a combination we never knew we needed, til it happened.
When lockdowns first started, I got heavily back in DK particularly Plastic Surgery Disasters.
"Riot" would be a great reaction.
To really understand Jello Biafra, listen to Full Metal Jackoff with DOA
YES! I've been obsessed with this song lately!
Police truck, and pull my strings those 2 are up there as my favorites
It's satire... who actually writes like this? governments across the world
I didnt think you was going to understand it, but then it clicked. This song was written by jello when we all lived under the threat of nuclear war. Its wrote from the perspective of someone say in government looking down on the unruly classes and taking them out in a blinding flash of light. You got there in the end bro
Ok, any song off their album, plastic surgery disaster would be a good choice. Suggestion, Forrest fire.
Took you a few minutes but you got there: Dead Kennedys were often a tremendously ironic band. They were punks through and through, abrasive with it and always went straight for the throat. They criticised everyone and spared no one - no favouritism. Yes, this song IS sung from the perspective of the 1% uber rich.
Dead Kennedys are Punk band from the 80ies -> Reaganomics
Dead Kennedys were masters at social commentary. IMO, they are the best punk rock band to ever exist. They were not afraid to call out the bullshit they saw in society and politics.
In this song, they used a 1, 6, 4, 5 chord progression, which was very popular in the late 50s and early 60s, particularly in love songs. The contrast of the history of the use of that chord progression and the lyrical content of this song is a social commentary in of itself - Conservatives would love getting rid of the poor. Why not use a 1, 6, 4, 5 chord progression to express that.
Other songs?
- Police Truck
- Forest Fire
- Moral Majority
- California Uber Allies / We've Got A Bigger Problem Now
- Nazi Punks Fuck Off
- M.T.V. - Get off the Air
- Soup Is Good Food
Please please do "California Uber Alles" and then right after listen to "We've Got a Bigger Problem Now"
that is an absolutely beautiful silky smooth voice, wow
Jello is a master of sarcasm. He cuts pretty deep. You have to remember that this is a punk rock band. Not many are pro-establishments. Look up where Jello ran for Mayor of San Fran.
RIP D.H. Peligro. "They're droppin like flies, all those old Punk Rock guys!"
For DK - Try Halloween, We've Got A Bigger Problem Now, and Pull My Strings. Also worth checking out is the project Jello Biafra did with Ministry, called Lard. Try "I Wanna Be a Drug Sniffing Dog" for good introduction.
For those interested in a bit of historical background, Holiday In Cambodia is lyrically about a time and place that was overshadowed by the Vietnam War. If you look on a map, there’s only a jungle border between the two countries. During the turmoil of the Vietnam war, a man named Pol Pot asserted himself as the new leader of Cambodia. The Cambodian people were then forced on death marches and executed along the roadsides for anything suspicious, like literacy, etc, etc. It was depicted in THE KILLING FIELDS. …also documented in the autobiographical book, CAMBODIAN WITNESS, by Someth May.
The song refers to many things, capitalism and apathy, ignorance, murderous dictators, pop culture overshadowing other important events, the list goes on.
(FYI, Jello Biafra is no longer with DKs, they have a dif singer now.)
I would love more dead kennedys as well, they are very political their covers are great as well like Viva las vegas, I fought the law, and Rawhide.
Id love to see you react to California Uber Alles and make sure you kinda analyse the lyrics
DEAD KENNEDYS had the balls to stand up to the establishment and upper society before anyone else did. It’s a COMMENTARY on EVERYTHING that’s wrong in this world, and JELLO BIAFRA is one of the most courageous men you’ll EVER have the pleasure to hear sing. EVER
Had a Kill the Poor tshirt back in 96 or 97 that said “Greed is not a family value.” on the back. I had one of teacher that loved it and one that was disgusted by it. I asked her if she wanted me to change into the Tool shirt that Jesus on the front. She said no and made me turn the one inside out.
I have a Meatmen shirt that says "two down two to go" and it has a picture of the Beatles but instead of George and John it has two skulls
Cesspools in Eden or Moon Over Marin are my favorites of theirs.
Thanks for another good time bro. Punk is great irony. So raw and addictive. Holiday in Cambodia for sure.
Police Truck, Holiday in Cambodia, DMSO, plenty of good, humorous DK songs
We grew up Mormon but my brother tried skateboarding for a year and we fell into the Dead Kennedys, the Sex Pistols, and all kinds of raucous music. I can't believe my parents paid so little attention--they'd have lost their minds if they'd heard what we were singing. :)
I felt so bad for you, watching your discomfort, but when you mentioned the urge to giggle, I could tell you were having the right response.
This was a pretty brave reaction choice--keep 'em coming!!
Punk has several bands who would say the quiet parts out loud at a time when the right did not. The song right after his on the album is ‘Let’s lunch the landlord’.
Bay Area band from my youth!! College radio in the ‘78-82 span when I played were amazing and I appreciate them even more now. Punked in Lawrence Kansas 😎💕
the crazy thing about the DEAD KENNEDYS (and I grew up with them ) is: they sang this in 1977/78. They were a lot into Noam Chomsky and movies like THEY LIVE etc. A lot of what DK predicted came true...
My first show ever was at 11 yo and I was lucky enough to be able to tag along with my sister and her friends to Jello Biafra.
You have a great broadcasting voice.
If you think Dead Kennedys are brutal, try listening to some of the early tracks by Discharge.
What was groundbreaking with DK was they were a typical white punk band with a black drummer.
I used to play in a hardcore punk band with an Indian drummer. Like Indian not native American.
Goes to show how music unites us all.