Dead Kennedys are widely considered to be one of the most influential punk bands of all time.

The first incarnation of the band formed in San Francisco in the late 70s, flipping two fingers up to The Man both on and off stage. Reactions to the band ranged from, “Fuck yeah,” to “Fuck no,” and sparked nationwide discussions about music censorship. At one point, the band even went to trial for obscenity charges over some artwork included in their album Frankenchrist. (The artwork in question depicted a number of disembodied genitals going at it).

The band split up in the mid-80s, but had a heartwarming reunion in the late-90s when many former band members accused lead vocalist Jello Biafra of conspiring to pay them less than they deserved. The courts found him guilty of fraud and malice, and general consensus holds that this was not very punk rock on Biafra’s part.

Following these legal woes, ex-members reformed the band, (sans Biafra), and they are still somewhat active to this day.

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