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The Dead Kennedys - Live at the Deaf Club 1979 Audio CD

A fair review of the The Dead Kennedys "Live at the Deaf Club 1979" Audio CD. Please note that the below review is the views of the authors, and authors only. You can get a complete list of all The Dead Kennedys reviews here, or go back to the The Dead Kennedys tabs.

The Dead Kennedys Band: The Dead Kennedys
Title: Live at the Deaf Club 1979
Rating:
Release Date: 2004-03-09
Media: Audio CD

Tracks: 1: Introduction 2: Kill the Poor [Disco Version] 3: Back in Rhodesia [Early Version of When You Get Drafted] 4: Man With the Dogs 5: Gaslight [#] 6: California �ber Allies 7: Ill in the Head 8: Straight A's [Different Mix] 9: Short Songs [Different Mix] 10: Holiday in Cambodia 11: Police Truck 12: Foward to Death 13: Have I the Right 14: Back in the U.S.S.R. 15: Viva Las Vegas

BEST EARLY LIVE PUNK YOU'RE GONNA FIND
A must for any Dead Kennedy's fan, it sounds fantastic and has some great songs like "Gaslight" it's hard to find anywhere else. This is not only the best DK live album out there, it's the best live punk from the '70's you're going to find. The chatter in between is worth hearing just for Biafra's sense of humor, too. All in all, it brings back some great memories and, if you're anything like me, is worth listing to over and over and over again. . . amen.


A good show from a band just getting its sound together
Many of the songs (especially Kill the Poor and California Uber Alles) are much slower than the studio versions; it appears these guys really tightened up their chops by the time they recorded Fresh Fruit For Rotting Vegetables. Recorded in the spring of 1979, this album catches the DK's in a rather unpolished state. On the other hand, Ill In The Head sounds amazing, and Holiday In Cambodia also kicks a$$. Overall, this is a great addition to your collection if you are a serious Dead Kennedys fan.

However, this CD is not without its flaws. for one thing, the booklet sucks; it's basically a weak attempt to imitate Jello's classic collage posters and booklets from the old records, but without any of the ironic, sarcastic wit. I'd have much preferred some liner notes with recollections from band members, and photographs from the show.

Also, there's the issue of Jello Biafra's voice. As any DK's fan knows, Jello's voice was so "nasal" that he made Brian Ferry pale in comparison; be prepared for some extremely shrill, whiny vocals on this recording. True fans won't be put off, but newcomers may not be able to get past that sound.

Overall, this is a must-have for fans. I would not receommend starting a Dead kennedys collection with this album, though.


Very little replay value

The sound is half-decent, and the setlist does provide a few nice oddities, but. Meh. . . . there are DK bootlegs out there that are far superior to this cash-in.
Of note, many of the songs are considerably slowed-down and lacking in passion. The feeling just isn't there. .


Until "A Skateboard Party" is released, this is it.
For those who've seen the "Reunited Dead Kennedys" without Jello (let's just say "Nazi Punks F*ck Off" is about Punks who act like Nazis, whatever the latest lead singer says nonwithstanding), this is a snapshot of what the real band was like. For those of us who were unable to see this band play when they were first out, this is a wonderful spotlight of what the band was like before acrimony slipped into the mix and Jello's ego became more important than the music. For those who've long expected songs done live to sound exactly like they were done in the studio, this is full of songs which were not released on studio albums, or were rewritten on the way to the studio ("Back in Rhodesia" comes to mind); other songs may not sound as peppy as they did in the studio because the band had to play them live - and they did a good enough job even though it may not be what you hear on the studio release.

This is the whole show with Jello's chitchat included. It's also a complete set. Both of these make this release much better than the "Mutiny on the Bay" atrocity that came before this.


Authentic look at raw authentic punk
The quality is good and so is the set list. To begin, this CD is very good and a buy for seasoned DK listeners. However this is not a CD that will likely be enjoyed by those not already familiar with the works, as some of the songs are performed a bit sloppily. Understand though that this is the Kennedys live in their hay-day and that is what punk is, especially harder punk; pretty inconsistent and rough on stage. If you buy this CD don't expect studio tracks, expect to smell the sweat a little if you know what I mean. I have read that Biafra condemns these reissues, however his opinion is obviously biased considering he no longer holds rights to the "dead kennedys". In summary this is a naked look into the actual past of one of America's best punk bands live and in their element, it is a very worthwhile album and valuable to the true listeners. If this CD was not released the public would be hard pressed to ever peer into that evening in San Fran and get their fill of smoke, sweat and speed, but thankfully the recording is now available to those who want to listen. Good packaging too. .


You can see a complete list of all The Dead Kennedys discography, or go back to the The Dead Kennedys tabs. There is also a good guide on how to read guitar tabs here.

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