Music—Seasoned punks still

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 fi ghts, 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 fi ve seconds, to make it sound like the four of

them had all had a part in writing it.

Other interesting moments, included the opening of “Nazi Punk Fuck Off,” which was basically a speech by Penalty promoting individual thought and non-violence.

It was only fitting considering the political nature of most of the lyrics.

He also took this time to give some words of respect to Jello Biafra, the original lead singer.

Ray and F l o u r i d e ’ s refined talent shined through, despite their increasing age.

That’s why I think that having such a young new lead singer in Penalty is a smart move.

His theatrical stage presence shined through as he stage dove during “Holiday in Cambodia.”

He then brought his mom on stage and introduced her to the audience, all the time wearing a shirt with Mickey Mouse on it and the words, “Our President.”

Overall, it was a good show. The young crowd got what it came for, while the older crowd had another chance to see Ray and Flouride rock together like only they can.

DISCOGRAPHY

1980 Fruit for Rotting Vegetables 1982 Plastic Surgery Disasters 1985 Frankenchrist 1986 Bedtime for Democracy 1987 Give me Convenience or Give me death 2001 Mutiny on the Bay 2004 Live at the Deaf Club

Photos by Lisa Chung/Daily Titan