Plastic Surgery Disasters Review · 4:23am Sep 27th, 2022
Kinda Unsettling...
Date Of Release: October ???, 1982
Dead Kennedys are a hardcore punk rock band that formed in San Francisco, California, in 1978. The band's members consisted of: (1981 - 1986 lineup)
- Jello Biafra (Vocals)
- East Ray Bay (Lead Guitarist)
- Klaus Fluoride (Bassist)
- D.H Peligro (Drummer)
Left to right: East Ray Bay, Jello Biafra, D.H Peligro, Klaus Fluoride
Dead Kennedys were among one of the first hardcore punk rock bands to emerge, alongside others like: Bad Brains, The Germs, Misfits, and Black Flag. They have become one of the defining punk bands in their 8 year run. The group have released 4 studio albums and 1 EP before disbanding in 1986. They would later reform in 2001 without Jello Biafra and are still going to this day. However, they haven't released new material since 1986.
The band formed when East Ray Bay posted an advertisement in a newspaper looking for band mates. At the time, the original lineup consisted of: Jello Biafra, East Ray Bay, Klaus Fluoride, Ted on drums, and 6025 as Rhythm guitarist. With a lineup formed, they got to work recording demos and played their first live show at Mabuhay Gardens, San Francisco on July 19, 1978. At this time, because their name was provocative they played under many names such as: The D.K's, The Sharks, The Creamsicles, and The Pink Twinkies.
In early 1980, Dead Kennedys recorded and released their single Holidays In Cambodia which would not only be their most popular song but one of the most, if not, the most famous song to emerge from the 80's hardcore punk rock movement. Following the release of their single, they released their debut album Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables. It proved to be a great success, so much so they were asked to play at the Bay Area Music Awards. Of course though, they used this opportunity to make a satirical attack on the music industry and mainstream music. Completely abandoning the songs they were asked to play for the ceremony.
My first introduction to Dead Kennedys was their hit song Nazi Punks Fuck Off. A friend of mine introduced me to them, since then I instantly loved their style. Dead Kennedys are unique in that they often mix surf and rockabilly elements into their music. It's an element of their music that I love. So much so, that they are my favorite punk rock band (along with The Misfits). Apart from that however, Jello Biafra's weird singing is another element I like. It may not be for everybody, but the way he constantly sings with a vibrato is silly but I like it all the same.
As of late I've found myself constantly listening to songs from their 2nd album, Plastic Surgery Disasters. So I figured "Hey why the hell not", plus I have yet to cover a punk rock band.
Songs
Advice From Christmas Past
The intro to the album, this is mostly a clutter of instruments played backwards. Over the noise you have a woman question and I quote, "Why are you such a stupid asshole?" She goes on to explain how you were sent to school to be taught to fear and obey people. And to cheer up because life really isn't that bad.
Government Flu
Kicking off the album, we have a groovy but short beat before it dissolve into chaos. D. H Peligro gives us our first taste of his awesome drumming. Along with that we have East Bay Ray playing a very off the rails guitar riff, like he's struggling to keep it under control. It's impressive to hear Jello sing as fast as he does on here and still keep up with his vibrato. This song is like a bullet, quick and deadly.
Government Flu is a story about how the U.S government is drugging citizens through their water supply to examine what effects it takes on them. Essentially, human experimentation on their people to better craft biological weapons to be one step ahead of the U.S.S.R.
Terminal Preppie
The follow up, Terminal Preppie carries over the fast tempo of the previous track. Right off the bat you can hear this song sound a lot like surf rock. East Ray Bay's guitar playing on this song kicks ass. Klaus' bass line compliments Ray's part very well. This song also introduces a saxophone, it only shows up a few times but it doesn't manage to sound out of place. Oh and D.H Peligro's drumming is especially awesome on here.
On this song Jello sings about ignorant rich kids going to college not for learning, but for the sole purpose of partying and fucking girls. This song is best summed up in the lyrics: "My ambition in life Is to look good on paper. All I want is a slot In some big corporation".
Trust Your Mechanic
To mix things up a bit, this next song has a couple of tempo changes. It starts off with D.H Peligro's fast paced, rolling of the drums. Along with that you have Klaus and Ray's parts acting like a rollercoaster, it goes up and down and up and down. After which all instruments disappear apart from the bass and the song slows to a crawl. During this part Jello sings in a creepy way, kinda like somebody is stalking you. When all is said and done, the fast tempo comes back and it repeats.
This song is a shot taken at the drug industry. Where people have to take drugs due to an illness they suffer from. Unbeknownst to them however, the same drug that helped them is now fucking up something else in their body. Which then causes them to buy more drugs, eventually turning into an endless cycle. At the expense of someone's suffering, the rich people profit.
Well Paid Scientist
Up next, Klaus Fluoride gives us one of the more killer bass lines on the album. The aggression in this song is felt much more than the other tracks. Jello's vocals are absolutely crazy on this song. They go from shouting, to wobbly, to normal. The changes throughout the song are cool to hear. Overall a good song but I tend to forget this one.
Buzzbomb
One of the most wild intros I've heard in a song. Buzzbomb opens with a super sonic drum roll followed by Jello Biafra making his best impression of a speeding car. It's such a goofy intro that it makes me smile every time without fail. Intro aside, this song was made with one thing in mind, speed. This is to coincide with what the song is about. I also enjoy the more melodic chorus on this song. Overall a very fun song!
Buzzbomb is about a guy speeding his way throughout the state of Nevada in his car. However eventually the cops start chasing after him, even going as far as trying to shoot his tires out. Sadly he gets cornered at a 7/11. His fate is unknown.
Forest Fire
One of my personal favorites from the album. Forest fire leads you into believing that you'll finally have break from all the fast paced previous songs. Only to slowly morph back into the speedy tempo. The intro is pretty chill and groovy. I wish it lasted a little bit more as it's one of my favorite parts of the song. Klaus' bass line on this song is pretty fucking cool, it's very active. D. H Peligro and Ray are also absolute beasts on this song.
Forest Fire is a ridiculous but funny story about a guy camping out in the California woods. He eats some berries he found which make him start to trip balls. So naturally, the guy proceeds to set rich people's homes on fire. He takes pleasure in watching their cars, tennis court, wife, and cocaine, be set a flame. While this his happening he's laughing and mocking them.
Halloween
I like how this song starts off with a jumpscare, followed by manic screaming from Jello. in nature with the name of the song. East Ray Bay goes absolutely nuts on this track, a lot of erratic guitar work. This song is very campy and fun, especially so with Klaus' bass and Jello's upbeat singing.
This song is all about making fun at the fact that we have a holiday where people get to dress however they'd like. Until we have to conform to dress regularly all the rest of the year. The song also asks the question, "why don't you dress however you'd like any other day of the week?" Maybe it's because some people fear what others might think about them.
Winnebago Warrior
Another fun song on the album. This song has a western flare to it. As occasionally Jello will tell out Yee-ha! Ray will also occasionally bring out some riffs with a western sound to them. Klaus and D.H Peligro also bring their 'A' game here. This song is about a family having a cross country roadtrip. All while leaving a path of destruction wherever they go.
Riot
This song unlike the others, has a lot more going on. It's a lot more musically developed. The intro is a slow and creepy build up. The star here being Klaus Fluoride, as most of it is bass. The intro is a buildup to what will become the 'Riot'. Once it comes the song settles into the fast tempo of previous songs. From here on out it's pure chaos, and we all know how good DK are at doing that. Jello, Ray, Klaus, and D.H Peligro, everybody is kicking ass!
This is song is a narrative where it places you as the main character. Essentially it tells a story about how a protest turns into a riot, and people finally have a precedent to act like animals. People start to torch cars, smash windows, steal from stores, and set their neighborhood on fire. Eventually the mob gets to the source to why they started protesting in the first place. But since there's police with riot gear and barricades nobody dares to cross the line. The police then start to beat citizens down, taking control back. Throughout the song there's a reoccurring lyric, "Tomorrow you're homeless, tonight it's a blast."
Bleed For Me
The intro to this next song is perhaps my favorite off the album. That slow and menacing bass buildup, backed up with Jello's inhuman screeching. Followed up with Ray's repulsive surf rock riff and D.H's thundering drums makes for a truly amazing intro. This song, more so than the others, is pure anger. You can feel it in the drumming, the guitar playing, and the vocals. This song is out to kill.
Bleed For Me is a song about the torture/interrogation the U.S inflicts on their enemies. All in the name of "World peace and profits." The whole song can be summed up in the verse: "America wants fuel. To get it, it needs puppets. So what's ten million dead, if it's keeping out the Russians?"
I am the Owl
Turning back the aggression dial, I am the Owl is a more groovy and sluggish song. Klaus' bass line throughout is simplistic but very catchy, almost hypnotic. I also love Ray pumping out all those surf rock sounding riffs at the beginning. I haven't mentioned it yet but Jello is very good at storytelling on many songs he's wrote, like this one. It makes the song much more enjoyable, especially so when parts are added to the song to compliment what is happening in the story.
This song is about government overreach. Things such as the super surveillance of citizens, and silent assassination of public figures they don't like. Despite being caught for doing these things (like Watergate for example) very little changes afterwards.
Dead End
Keeping up with the surf rock influence. This song is like a more grimey version of that. Klaus' bass line on here is just cool as shit, it's feels wavy, if that makes any sense. Ray's muddy guitar tone is also a nice touch to this song. I don't got a lot to say about this one, it plays it pretty safe.
Moon Over Marin
This is it. The final song of the album, and my absolute favorite song! This song is vastly different from anything on this album. Where as all the previous songs were incredibly fast and sounded like they wanted to murder you. This one is more laid back, it's still kinda fast but not like the others. This song is also full of melody, from Jello's vocals to Ray's riffs. There's just this warm feeling you get from this song, it's beautiful to me. Everybody is awesome on this song! I especially love Ray's guitar playing, it sounds so pretty on here. I can listen to this song over and over again and not grow tired of it.
The song also closes with the same woman from the beginning of the album. She talks to you about your visit to the psychiatrist. She gives you a pill and sends you back to work. Making this feel like we've come full circle from our journey. A nice way to end things.
Moon Over Marin is a song about pollution. It paints the future as a dystopia in which the air is toxic and people live underground. If one wishes to resurface they have to use gas masks. The beaches are full of dead fish and the water is covered in oil from numerous tankers hitting the rocks. It's horrific, but the song manages to make everything sound warm and fuzzy. Which is why I think I love this song so much.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, Plastic Surgery Disasters is an album full of great guitar playing, great bass lines, and phenomenal drumming. A ton of detail went into their songs, be it from their instruments or song structure. Every song on here has something it say and has its own mood. Some comedic, some satirical, others more on the darker side. Dead Kennedys were truly the smartest punk band.
I understand many people don't like punk rock or politics in their songs. But if this album at all interested you, definitely give it a listen! It's one of the best punk albums ever made.
If I Had To Rate It Out Of 10: 10/10
My Personal Favorite Songs
- Government Flu
- Terminal Preppie
- Forest Fire
- Winnebago Warrior
- Riot
- Bleed For Me
- Dead End
- Moon Over Marin
Songs I Disliked:
- None!
For Those Interested In Checking It Out Here's A Preview Song:
Wow, I don’t think I’ve heard of this band before. Least not that I know of. Lol.
5689081
Oh dude they're awesome. Their music is so good.
Not only did punks love them but so did metalheads. Bands like Megadeth, Metallica, Slayer, and Sepultura, have all expressed their love of them. Some bands were even influenced.
5689137
Hell yeah.