On October 25th, Manifesto Records will issue the second deluxe version of the Dead Kennedys classic, Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables. The label took over the release which was previously distributed by Alternative Tentacles after a protracted court case which ended in 2001.
The first "deluxe" reissue was a double CD digipak release which included an extra disc of material including "Police Truck," "In-Sight" and "Too Drunk to Fuck" among six bonus tracks on the remastered release. The upcoming reissue will also include a DVD documentary to coincide with the 25th anniversary of the original release.
The documentary will include the earliest known live footage of the band performing, including early versions of "California Uber Alles" and "Kill the Poor" performed at San Francisco's Mabuhay Gardens. Other live footage includes 'Kill The Poor' from Sproul Hall on the U.C. Berkeley campus a mere two months after the band formed and 'Holiday in Cambodia' shot during the band's only live date in France,
Also included are new interviews with guitarist East Bay Ray and bassist Klaus Flouride, Chi Chi, the band's first manager and "Fresh Fruit" engineer Oliver DiCicco and Ninotchka (former lead-singer Jello Biafra's ex-wife). Biafra himself was asked to participate but opted not to.
East Bay Ray explained the rationale for the reissue, saying:
25 years on, 'Fresh Fruit For Rotting Vegetables' has become something no one in the Dead Kennedys could have predicted when we recorded it - a truly important punk rock record that stands the test of time, The thing that we felt could improve this release for the fans of the original record was a bonus DVD of unreleased archival live performances, interviews with the band and the people who were there from the beginning and rare images of the Dead Kennedys from day one. This record was about changing the way people looked at their government and sadly, that very same thing seems to be needed even more 25 years later.
The new version of the band which Bad Religion vocalist Greg Graffin refers to as "the greatest karaoke band of all time" has a few dates scheduled in the coming months, including a stop at Chicago's Riot Fest and November dates including Detroit (Nov. 3), Chicago (Nov. 4), Milwaukee (Nov. 5) and New York (TBA)
As for Jello Biafra, he will soon release his second collaboration with The Melvins, titled Sieg Howdy! via Alternative Tentacles on September 27th. He will also be hosting the upcoming Operation: Ceasefire demonstration/concert this weekend in Washington D.C.