The current members of the Dead Kennedys have responded to former frontman Jello Biafra's recent comments.
This particular conflict stems from the upcoming "Fab Mab Class Reunion" featuring the Dead Kennedys, Flipper, the Avengers, the Mutants, and MC Dirk Dirksen at the Fillmore in San Francisco.
The band had this to say:
Seriously, do we have to go through this every time East Bay Ray, Klaus Flouride, DH Peligro and new singer Jeff Penalty play a show? We have never tried to trick anyone into thinking that Jello is still with the band. If five years of touring, countless press releases, articles, reviews, the DK website, ads and posters featuring the names and photos of the new lineup, and seemingly endless reminders from Jello himself have failed to point out that the band has a new singer, we suppose we will have to work up a new plan: a direct mailing campaign supported by billboards, bus ads, and skywriting!
For the entirety of the band's statement
News Flash! Jello Biafra no longer sings for Dead Kennedys! In other news: Eli Whitney invents the cotton gin! Seriously, do we have to go through this every time East Bay Ray, Klaus Flouride, DH Peligro and new singer Jeff Penalty play a show? We have never tried to trick anyone into thinking that Jello is still with the band. If five years of touring, countless press releases, articles, reviews, the DK website, ads and posters featuring the names and photos of the new lineup, and seemingly endless reminders from Jello himself have failed to point out that the band has a new singer, we suppose we will have to work up a new plan: a direct mailing campaign supported by billboards, bus ads, and skywriting!
But not TV commercials, of course, because we're sick of hearing the tired and baseless claim that the DK lawsuit was motivated by our desire to put our music into a commercial. Our record label was stealing royalties from the band! Did we need any more motivation than that? Are folks just suppose to lie down and let the school bully steal their lunch money? And have you noticed Dead Kennedys' music in any commercials lately? Or ever? News Flash: Jello uses rumors and misinformation to cover up his own wrongdoing!
In other news: Clear Channel does not own the Fillmore! Live Nation, formerly a Clear Channel subsidiary but now an independent company, owns the venue. Is it still a big corporate giant? Yes. Do we like the fact that corporate giants control nearly every major music venue in the country? Hell no. But we're left with two options: play for our fans and do our best to inspire them to fight corporate avarice or take our ball and go home.
It's sad, but typical, that the San Francisco media didn't bother to research both sides of this story and report the outcome. And it's even sadder that they can't be positive about something the city should be proud of. If you don't want to come see our show because you're clinging to the narrow-minded view that bands can't possibly be as vibrant or as vital as they once were, fine, stay home. But we'd prefer it if San Francisco displayed what it became known for--open-mindedness--and at least gave us a chance.
Thanks for listening.
--Dead Kennedys