REVIEW MUSIC
Photos by Lisa Chung/Daily Titan
Seasoned punks still standing strong BY LISA CHUNG Daily Titan Staff
Minutes before the Dead Kennedys took the stage at the Anaheim House of Blues, the notso-diverse crowd chanted, “Is my cock big enough; is my brain small enough...,” which made me wonder if the show I was about to witness was going to have any sort of quality to it. Surprisingly, however, through the sold-out sea of studded leather and colorful mohawks (circa 1985), a decent sound came through. It might not have been a sound diehard DK fans are accustomed to since the original lead singer and drummer were replaced with youngster Jeff Penalty and friend of the band, Steve Wilson. However, despite Penalty’s age, he carried the show with a charged energy and a certain charm. Of course, the crowd was most into the show when favorites like “Kill the Poor” were performed, but because of the generally
young average age of the audience, B-side tracks and other less popular songs received only confused looks from the front row. Overall, the show had a little bit of a high school backyard party feel to it; complete with fights, mosh pits and guys with lots of tattoos taking their shirts off. You know, typical modern-day punk show activities. It was only when I really started paying attention to the instrumental work of East Bay Ray and Klaus Flouride that I was taken with the unique superiority of the band. The highlight, for me was “California Uber Alles,” because you could hear the actual guitar riffs that set this punk band apart from most. Also, the crowd as a whole, not just in the pit, seemed to really feel the energy of this song. Even though the vocals (which were pretty excellent overall) reached a low-point in this song, the four band members really pulled it off, especially in the last five seconds, to make it sound like the four of
them had all had a part in writing through as he stage dove during it. “Holiday in Cambodia.” Other interesting moments, He then brought his mom on included the opening of “Nazi stage and introduced her to the Punk Fuck Off,” which was ba- audience, all the time wearing sically a speech by Penalty pro- a shirt with Mickey Mouse on moting individual thought and it and the words, “Our Presinon-violence. dent.” It was only fitting considerOverall, it was a good show. ing the political nature of most The young crowd got what it of the lyrics. came for, while the older crowd He also took this time to give had another chance to see Ray some words of respect to Jello and Flouride rock together like Biafra, the original lead singer. only they can. Ray and Flouride’s DISCOGRAPHY refined talent shined through, de1980 Fruit for Rotting Vegetables spite their increasing age. 1982 Plastic Surgery Disasters That’s why 1985 Frankenchrist I think that 1986 Bedtime for Democracy having such a young new 1987 Give me Convenience or lead singer in Give me death Penalty is a smart move. 2001 Mutiny on the Bay His theatri2004 Live at the Deaf Club cal stage presence shined
Daily Titan April 21, 2005 FULL
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