Dead Kennedys - Frankenchrist

Original Release Date

1985

Release Information

US LP 1985 (Alternative Tentacles - VIRUS 45)
UK LP 1985 (Alternative Tentacles - VIRUS 45)
UK CD 1985 (Alternative Tentacles - VIRUS 45CD)
US CD 1986 (Alternative Tentacles - VIRUS 45CD)
UK CD 2001 (Decay Music – DKS 11CD). Remastered

1 Soup Is Good Food 4:17
2 Hellnation 2:2§
3 This Could Be Anywhere (This Could Be Everywhere) 5:50
4 A Growing Boy Needs His Lunch 5:46
5 Chicken Farm 5:05
6 Jock-O-Rama 4:05
7 Goons Of Hazzard 4:24
8 M.T.V. - Get Off The Air 3:36
9 At My Job 3:40
10 Stars And Stripes Of Corruption 6:20

Chart Placings

UK Indie Hit: 1, 19 wks

Credits

LP:

Jello Biafra - vocals
D.H. Peligro - drums & vocals
Klaus Flouride- bass & vocals
East Bay Ray- guitar, synthesiser & 12-string electric Bellzouki

Produced by Jello Biafra
Engineered by John Cuniberti
Mixed by Cuniberti and Biafra
Recorded at Hyde St. Studios, San Francisco

Also appearing:
John Leib - Trumpet on "M.T.V. - Get Off The Air"
Tim Jones - Keyboard on "A Growing Boy Needs His Lunch"
Backing Vocals on "Jock-O-Rama": Nina T.R. Stapleton, Laura T.R. Muetz, Julie Hoffman, Susan Caldwell, Danielle Dunlap, Robyn Lutz, Kris Carleson
"Hellnation" - Special thanks to Fred Dickerson for inspiration
Backing Vocals on "At My Job": Steve DePace, Wild Bill, Sweet, D.H. Peligro, Wee Willy Lipat, Microwave, Biafra, Klaus. Laugh Track on "At My Job" courtesy of Wild Bill
Backing Vocals on "Chicken Farm" and "Stars and Stripes of Corruption": Klaus, Gary Floyd, Biafra, Eugene Robinson, Jeff Davis

___________________________________________________

Additional Credits on 2001 CD:

Digitally Remastered by John Cuniberti at The Plant Mastering, Sausalito, CA with East Bay Ray

Reviews & Opinions

TIM YOHANNAN, MAXIMUM ROCKNROLL #30, NOVEMBER 1985: A classic KENNEDYS' cover opens up to reveal a very controversial artwork poster and a record that will surprise many. Lyrically, it's Biafra's satire, biting as ever, and aimed at jocks, MTV, work, and the sick absurdities of bourgeois life. Most of the tunes are mid-tempo punk this time, with a couple of thrashers interspersed. But there's a more "psychedelic" feel to many of the songs with Ray's often-twangy guitar very cleanly produced. There's even one (gasp!) experimental number, and also shocking, Jello actually sings (as opposed to yells) on several tracks.

DAVID SHERIDAN/JOE YOUNG/IRA ROBBINS, THE TROUSER PRESS MUSIC GUIDE, 1991: Frankenchrist...generally repeats the psycho-punk of Plastic Surgery Disasters. There are some bad tracks with forced, awkward lyrics, but the LP does contain two of the DKs' finest moments: "MTV Get off the Air" and "Stars and Stripes of Corruption," one of the most powerful political statements ever committed to vinyl. Instead of just bellyaching about problems (a common habit of politico-punks), Biafra offers possibilities for constructive change, demonstrating real American patriotism as opposed to jingoist commie-bashing.

Additional Notes

The 2001 remaster was also issued in the US by Manifesto (MFO 42902).

Images

US LP 1985 (Alternative Tentacles - VIRUS 45). Click here for more

UK LP 1985 (Alternative Tentacles - VIRUS 45). Click here for more

UK CD 1985 (Alternative Tentacles - VIRUS 45CD). Click here for more

UK CD 2001 (Decay Music – DKS 11CD). Click here for more