Mesa Legend - ARCHIVES - Vol. 39, Issue 10


Volume 39, Issue 10. Today is .

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Volume 39, Issue 10
February 12, 2002

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Dead Kennedys, punk rock and politics

By Justin Lambright
Mesa Legend

Dead Kennedys, an underground political punk band out of the San Francisco area, reunited recently with a new lead singer. Brandon Cruz, who spent three years, from 1980 to 1983 with the California punk band, Dr. Know, took over vocal duties in place of the legendary ex-front man Jello Biafra, who has been at odds with the rest of band since their break-up in 1986.

Being a fan of Dead Kennedys (DK) for years, I wasn’t going to miss this show.

I must admit, I’m getting older these days, and at 26 years old, mosh pits and stage diving just isn’t as appealling as it was 10 years ago.

However, something about the energy that came pouring off the stage from Total Chaos whipped the entire crowd, myself included, into a frenzy while they played their social and politically charged odes to the counter-culture that is punk rock.

I was somehow propelled up on the stage, only to jump right back off, which, in retrospect, seems completely pointless.

So I tried it again, back up on stage; and just in time to watch the bass player for Total Chaos smash his bass onto the floor offstage, into the crowd.

Punk rock moment number one.

At this point everything from that night turns surreal. I somehow met the players for Total Chaos and this leads to a meeting with Dead Kennedys.

"What relevancy does a punk rock show that some guy went to have in my life," you may be asking yourself right now. That is all about to become clear.

Students can gain a new view on the world with an exposure to the counter-culture that is political punk rock.

"It’ll give you a whole new window of perception," says Klaus Flouride, bass player for DK.

This new perception is a view of the world that is cynical, questioning, and informed, but not bitter.

"(It can be beneficial to college students) just by opening up your minds and trying new things and getting involved," said D.H. Peligro, drummer for DK.

"(Punk rock) isn’t all about shunning society," said Todd from Total Chaos.

"It’s just like if you only looked out one side of your house then you look out the other side and see the street," said Flouride, " They’re both good views."