FISTFULAYENKali-Fornia Uber Alles
I’ve been saying for a while that the political climate in this country (and particularly this state) is ripe for another Dead Kennedys, that is, smart, pointed, fearless political punk. I guess when no one else stepped up for the task Jello Biafra decided to return and pick up where he left off. But with East Bay Ray, Klaus Flouride, and D.H. Peligro doing the has-been tour circuit with a phoney frontman, who was going to back him up? Only one of the heaviest bands of all time: The Melvins. Word. Nice choice, Jello.
Now I know what you’re thinking, didn’t Jello Biafra give up being musically interesting for hair plugs and the spoken word circuit and go the way of Talkin’ Loud/Sayin Nothin’ just like Hank Rollins? That’s what I thought, too, until I got last year’s “Never Breathe What You Can’t See”. Dead Kennedys fans would be plenty happy with that record. Be sure to read the lyrics while you listen (you might even have to *shudder* buy the physical CD — I bought mine on Half.com).
This week I noticed a new Jello Biafra and The Melvins record (“Sieg Howdy!”) show up in my recommendations on Yahoo! Music Engine. It’s just a couple of new songs and a few remixes, but it also adds an updated version of California Uber Alles, this time geared at The Governator (of course). For those who don’t know, the original “Californa Uber Alles” (1980) was a cautionary tale about Jerry Brown, and the second (“We’ve Got a Bigger Problem Now”) pointed at Emperor Ronald Reagan. While the new one might not be as power-packed as the originals, I’m glad it exists.
Check out California Uber Alles, 1980-2005, with this playlist. I even through in the Disposable Heroes cover for those feeling really nostalgic.
Thanks, Jello. And The Melvins, too. Damn.
ian
Anonymous wrote:
thanks for the tip ian. my wife’s .org reps jello, and his hair plugs, on speaking engagements: http://www.speakoutnow.org/People/JelloBiafra.html
i’m afraid even though i’m of the tail end of the era where i would have been exposed to DKs (growing up in so cal after all) the only song of theirs i have right now is holiday in cambodia. still a righteous song after almost 30 yrs.
curious to hear what you think of green day’s resurgence, and whether any of the admittedly oblique politics in american idiot come to the surface for the teenagers listening to them now. (my co-worker’s 4-year old daughter wants green day for christmas).
Posted 28 Sep 2005 at 8:42 pm ¶
Anonymous wrote:
I always liked the disposable heroes cover best…
Posted 28 Sep 2005 at 11:15 pm ¶
Bravo wrote:
Bummin’ about the jibe at Henry Rollins…While his word is no substitute for his song, his spoken performances have always been outstanding for me (Live, I’m speaking of. Recorded is never the same). Great diverse rambles that always end up concluding to drive a point. He starts off saying “Guys become friends in the strangest ways” and wraps with “So there I am in a tiny recording booth, singing my ass off to a cover of “Funkytown” with Ru Paul.” The conjured imagery alone is worth the price of admission. Plus: He was wearing pleat front khakis. Whooda thunk it?
Posted 29 Sep 2005 at 5:48 pm ¶