So pleased to hear a younger generation understanding my generation's music. BTW they used to play this faster live. It was even more powerful. The only problem was dealing with the macho skinheads who'd show up to ruin the fun. Jello always told them to F-off! He was and still is a really intelligent artist.
My generation was the 90s. A full decade when the dead Kennedys were in the scene. I discovered the band in 96' when I saw shirts with the dk logo. And the band name is real angsty, given the fact that alot of the Kennedys were gone. So I already assumed they were a Punk rock band. I bought their cassette the plastic surgery Disasters with in god we trust inc. And man! Was blown away by the vocals of Biafra and lyrics! I wanted more, then bought Fresh Fruits for rotting vegetables and bedtime for democracy, frankenchrist and the one with police truck. Amazing band.
It was a great time to be in San Francisco. Maybe the last time it will be so, except for the great weather. Oh, wait, Hippie Hill will soon be beach front property…
Jello Biafra was equating early 80s California to Nazi Germany. California Uber Alles = California over all. All of the analogies were comparing then Governor Brown's administration to Hitler and the nazis.
Uber alles means "above all" And "deutschland uber alles" (Germany above all) was a phrase in the german national anthem which was used by Hitler and the nazis For example in the 1936 Olympics the crowd chanted "deutschland deutschland uber alles" when Hitler arrived at the stadium The first stanza of the national anthem was removed due to its use and association with the nazis as it contained these words
Hey comrade, German dude here. Contrary to common believe it is not illegal to sing the first two verses of the Deutschlandlied in Germany. Those verses are just not the official German anthem anymore, only the third verse is. But those who're singing the first two verses are usually Neo-Nazis. In my hometown there weren't many of those because it used to be a mining town, so many of the people were lefties, some even radicals. At one time I was attacked by a Neo-Nazi who thought a Punk kid would be easy prey. I made sure he regretted it immediately.
"Deutschland über alles" was part of a text written by August Heinrich Hoffmann von Fallersleben in 1841 in response to French claims on region in the German Rhine area. The intended meaning of "Germany above all" was to put regional differences aside and stand united against foreign intrusion. The Social Democrats lead by Friedrich Ebert declared the song, which was accompanied by Heyden's old Austrian hymn of the Emperor, as national anthem of the Weimar Republic in 1922. Later the Nazis misinterpreted the text to fit their narrative and as usual, whatever the Nazis touch gets ruined, so Germany now has a one verse anthem, because the second stanza got removed as well.
@@dannymunch4633 Yes!!! Thank you! I am so glad you pointed out these articles and decorations that where passed. This stuff goes back further than 1930's Germany. The whole of Europa was under monarchy so Nationalism thrived(not that that is bad) but the Nazis made these ideas into ideas of hatred because of the antisemitism that polluted Europa at the time and before.
@@provocase tho easy to think that on the face I don’t think that’s fair in this instance. I would generally agree with you but first that subverts the constitution which no country has had one like it, but meaning Above All, look at the culture of California from even then to today. It’s a toxic hell hole of citizens each believing above all which collectively tries to forward influence through Hollywood and packing state seats for national political pull. This most likely explains the mass exodus of its citizens the past 3 years.
there's also Nazi Punks Fuck Off and Too Drunk to Fuck, the latter of which is a rare "funny" song but still spits the venom the band is known for. either way, the whole of Fresh Fruit is excellent for first-time listeners to get a feel for the Kennedys.
Jello is a lyrical genius if you see him play live he tweaks the lyrics of his songs to reflect modern day politics. Always interesting to listen to in interviews as well very well spoken and funny man
Dude, if you think this song was ahead of its time, then listen to Soup is Good Food. Listen to that, and then go out and look at the state of the world.
Perfect. We old MFs typically incorporated punk and hard rock into our collection. The DKs, Gang of Four, Sex Pistols all very political. Going to a punk show was like boxing 15 rounds
I think the entire "Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables" is worthy of a good listen, and a review- imho, it's the best album on the planet! Been listening to it for over 40 years 🥳
I can’t say enough good things about out this lp. Back I. 1992 I had a beater Datsun. We had rigged a cassette player into the radio. I had a tape my bf stole from the local punk club, Doshcarge in one side and the DKs ‘Fresh Fruit’ in the other side. Such good songs.
This is absolutely amazing to see someone who actually understands the Dead Kennedys.... So many people in that time love the Dead Kennedys for just the sound of the music which is cool... But understanding what they're talking about for someone at the age of about 45 to 50 is mind blowing.. keep it up my friend.
Im confused, the older people who have lived and experienced and actually understand politics beyond just teen angst are the ones who would understand more than a kid.
@@bobandy13 I have NEVER met ANYONE who thought DK and jello were right wing in anyway. Crazy to me but I also learned that there are people who did not know Rage was a political band. Do these people think DK literally want to kill the poor for just existing? I think they actually did want to burn bougie mcmansion homes in a forest fire though.
I have loved Dead Kennedys since the 1980’s. The amazing thing is how relevant their songs are today. I think you should give a listen to “Soup is Good Food” off of their album Frankenchrist.
frankenchrist is my fav album by far. this could be anyhwere, hellnation, mtv get off the air, stars and stripes of corruption... just hits the bullseye over and over.
You hit it on the head. Punk isn't a sound, or a look... It's unfiltered, sincere, honest, and a giant 'fuck you' to anyone unwilling to hear it. Doesn't matter if it's Black Flag, Minutemen, Fugazi, Kennedys, or whoever.
I was a teenager in the 80's living in San Francisco.The DKs played all the time, I must 've seen them a dozen times. Not that they were my favorite hardcore punk band but they always put on a good show and lots of other good bands played with them. "Police Truck" is another good DKs tune.
For another DKs song to check out I'd recommend 'Let's Lynch the Landlord'. The singer Jello Biafra unsuccessfully ran for mayor of San Fran in 1979 and ran for U.S. president on the Green Party ticket in 2000.
As a punk rocker it was really enjoyable to see you react to the Dead Kennedys and love it. Felt like I was hearing it for the first time again! Respect!
THANK YOU for reacting to this! Love seeing people getting exposed to the music I loved growing up (born in 1965). DK were a special kind of band. So glad I got to see them recently in Budapest, even if it Jello Biafra wasn't with them. Keep reviewing their music. You will never be disappointed.
I think Jello Biafra (adopted name!) is singing about former CA governor Ronald Reagan, who was both neofascistic in many ways and replaced Jimmy Carter as prez in 1980... Great song, great reaction (as always)!
Brilliant! I get so happy when i see this. Imagine I am 52 years old and still feel the intense energy as when i was a 14 year old kid listen to the so tough Dead Kennedys.
I think you would love the "decline of western civilization" documentary. It's mostly music from 80's hard-core bands like Black Flag, Fear, Genneration X, etc
Jello Biafra, the lead singer and lyricist of Dead Kennedys, has updated this song a couple of times (as has Michael Franti, once). Jerry Brown, Ronald Reagan, Pete Wilson, and Arnold Schwarzenegger--all former CA governors--each have a version of 'California Uber Alles' written about them. Here's the complete history: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_über_alles
You should also check out some of Jello's other projects. There's LARD with Al Jourgensen of Ministry. He also did great stuff with DOA and NoMeansNo, and his latest band is Jello Biafra and the Guantanamo School of Medicine. Oh, and of course more DK reactions are fine.
So glad you enjoyed this. As someone who listened to this in the 80s and went to many punk rock shows. It's really cool that you're listening to this awesome old school punk.
You need to do the entire Dead Kennedys Plastic Surgery Disasters album. The most clever, sarcastic and hilarious social and political commentary in American history. You will LYFAO!
I know I’m late (just found your channel) The title is a play on Deutschland Uber Alles (Al-is) which meant Germany over all. And remember it came out in 1980, so yeah Carter was relevant.
“We’ve got a bigger problem now” is like a remix of this track but about Regan instead since he won the election and was based out of Cali as well. Stars and Stripes of corruption is a must. Police Truck, Chickenshit Conformist, MTV get of the air, and Soup is good food are also well recommended.
First - props to you man. The DK’a require a bit of research for sure, but it pays off. A favorite? “Well paid scientist.” But that’s constantly changing. Anything off Plastic Surgery Disasters/In God We Trust Inc. “we’ve got a bigger problem now,” “government flu,” and “moral majority” are damn close seconds. I had the fortune of having AT release an album I played on, Jello is probably the nicest guy I ever encountered in the music industry. And bands I was in met with everyone from Atlantic, Elektra, RCA, relapse, hydra head, level plane... AT’s deal was preposterously more fair than any other major or indie label. We got to visit the AT HQ in San Fran. Stood in the room where they recorded a lot of DK music. Jello has the craziest record collection you’ve ever seen. Generous, nice dude, every San Fran show he’d turn up, usually unannounced, just to give an encouraging “ferrrrrrocious as usual!!!” He’s the real deal.
DK does not F around Uber Alles German for " OVERALL" as in Hitler's Deutschland Uber Alles "he was saying Californication as in everything becoming being ruled by California in the F'in 80's ...SOOO GOOD
Forest Fire is a wild one and quite relevant today as is, my all time favorite DK song, Riot. And now that I think about it, Police Truck as well. All 3 of those songs could have been written today and the music would be still be miles ahead of the pack and lyrics would be considered 'ripped from the headlines'.
I have the vinyl sleeve of this signed by original founder and vocalist Jello Biafra! I messaged his management and they passed it on to Jello and he signed it!
Love this band so much! It is great to see people opening up to all types of music! Try Bad Religion next!! 21st century digital boy is a good "intro" then completely dive in
The soundtrack to my youth! This was part of what used to be called loosely West coast Underground nowadays known as post-punk. From SoCal up to Vanc BC the Dead Kennedy's (DKs) would drive up I-5 & tour. Those were the days when bands like Black Flag, Descendants, Meat Puppets etc did the same. A long time ago now.
Never understood the appeal of reaction videos, until I just watched you react to this song. Punk rock, Dead Kennedys, and this song in particular changed the way I heard music, and the way I saw the world. It's like I got to vicariously hear it for the first time again today. Thank you, love the video
Jello has always been political. In 1979, he ran for mayor of San Francisco. In 2000, he ran for the Green Party of the United States presidential nomination, finishing a distant second to Ralph Nader. Definitely an iconic figure in the punk scene, an interesting character to say the least. As far as a recommended song goes, they have so many that you couldn't go wrong with, but to name a few off the top of my head, without putting much thought into it: Drug Me, A Child and His Lawnmower, Chemical Warfare, MTV - Get off the Air, Religious Vomit, Dog Bite, or We've Got a Bigger Problem Now.
Just popped over for a bit of nostalgia, and so very pleased at your reaction. In the late '70s & early '80s where I lived, punk was considered just a bunch of scary, loud, violent hoodlums. So pleased to see people realize how brilliantly intelligent and brilliantly talented punk could be.
Ive been a subscriber for about a year now, but i just hit Notification bell (a rare thing for me) because of THIS reaction! Im a Chicago House/Nu Disco House DJ, but my musical tastes are all OVER the place (raised on bluegrass, big punk/ska fan growing up, big into Jazz, etc). Loving your reactions!! EDIT: another GREAT punk band from the 80s that was based in CA was The Descendents! They were pretty much the fathers of Pop Punk (though i put them as Skate Punk really). More light hearted, but had some heavy hitters too. Milo Aukerman was the epitome of the Punk Nerd. Bikeage, Coolidge, Wendy (Beach Boys cover)..so many great ones! They eventually turned into the band ALL (Milo Aukerman quit the band to become a Biochemist), and had some GREAT tunes as ALL (No Traffic, Carnage, Educated Idiot, Explorador). It's a rabbit hole you want to go down!
My favorite Dk songs are pull my strings, riot, and Nazi punks fuck off. Also, there is a follow up song to California Uber Alles called We've got bigger problems now.
This what makes me love PuNK RoCk music! When people first hear it, they either love it or absolutely hate it!🤣 it’s awesome for this guy to share his experience with listening to new bands! Make sure you hear the bands. Black Flag, Circle Jerks, OFF! And X ! If you haven’t already! 🤙🤓❤️
Not a fan of the Dead Kennedys, I never liked the surf-rock flavor in their music. But this song is one of my favorites of any genre, any bands. It was amazing just as music when I was too young to understand what it was about and it got even better when I became able to appreciate all the humor and satire of Biafra's lyrics. Punk rock masterpiece.
I love their album ‘Fresh Fruit For Rotting Vegetables’. It was their first album and almost like their ‘greatest hits’ in a punk rock sense. But I liked their second album ‘Plastic Surgery Disasters’ even more. It’s got more depth lyrically and musically. The band was at their peak on that one and ‘Frankenchrist’ was an almost equally great follow up. Can someone who’s a Patreon request ‘Stars and Stripes of Corruption’? Personal favor to me ? Pretty please ? If I could afford it I would be one, believe me. I LOVE this channel. It’s like watching me the first time I heard this life-altering music.
You need to do more 80's punk rock, particularly from the American hardcore underground from the early 80s. I don't see a lot of reactors doing that, you could be a trend-setter, TNT!!!. I think The Germs, Black Flag, 7 Seconds and some more Minor Threat will give you a good start. From there it branches-out to The Minutemen. Most of this stuff had no hope of being mainstream at that time, so they just did it whatever way they wanted.
Just to add some context to this song, by the late 70s all the California counterculture people of the 60s (hipsters, hippies, etc) were now in their 30s and 40s and were becoming the establishment. They were into new age stuff like organic food (hence ORGANIC poison gas etc) and Jerry Brown was considered to be "their" political candidate. So the song is basically a satire painting the future as a hellscape where the ex-hippies become the New Nazis.
Yeah, that specific bit of context got lost in the shuffle here. And, obviously, when Governor Brown became Governor Reagan, "We've Got A Bigger Problem Now."
Right. As if the 60's/70's counterculture generation would last 5 minutes if some dictator walked into town and took over. A Mao t shirt ? well, here you are, some authoritarian communism for ya. Intellectuals get executed
And it the Democratic Party with their woke... did just that... as the New Nazis... destroyed the SF, and every major city. Gavin Newsom is the new Jerry Brown... even looks the same... radical socialist authoritarians.
I messaged his Alternative Tentacles management in 2020 for his autograph, they replied and said yes! i sent my vinyl sleeve of this and after 6 months it finally returned back signed by Jello Biafra!
I saw them them in the mid 80's, coming home with a pair of broken glasses and four day old ear ringing. One of my faves is "At My Job." More of an electronic tune, but still crazy sounding.
I grew up listening to the Dead Kennedys. They have so many good songs, it’s hard to pick a favorite. But when you do another video, I’ll be sure to watch. Peace
In 1984, the Dead Kennedys released a sequel to this song on their album In God We Trust, Inc. about then-president Ronald Reagan, who preceded Brown as Governor of California. This update - which is done in jazz/lounge style for most of the song - is called "We've Got A Bigger Problem Now." In a Songfacts interview with Dead Kennedys lead singer Jello Biafra, he said: "I realized I was wrong about my conspiracy theory about Jerry Brown. Sure, I'd made it up all by myself and it turned out not to be true, so it was updated with Reagan lyrics until 'We've Got A Bigger Problem Now,' and the jazz version we goofed off with at soundcheck wound up becoming a staple of that record and the live show."
IMO Frankenchrist was their stand out album as far as displaying the range of their musical influences, certainly their best produced. One of the best songs off that album here ruclips.net/video/dfnOFvZvEuA/видео.html
You should check out some of the lead singer Jello Biafra's spoken word. He tells you again and again what they wanted to do with their music - to get you, the listen to question. Not to just question the government, the system, religion, but also him - don't take ANYONE's word as law - THINK FOR YOURSELF. It's why punk is so inherently anti-right wing and why they will always fail when they try to co-op it, the lyrics themselves speak against them. Also there isn't a bad DK's album - all their songs are at WORST good. It's scary how much their lyric not only still apply from 40 years ago but MORE so today. Check out their song Police Truck and see what us punk thought about cops back in 1979.
It’s hard to express just how happy hearing this track made me Not sure if this resonates with other Brits but I remember in UK in the late 70s mainly listening to mainly punk British bands and not really being interested at the time in punk bands coming over from the US . Bands like NYDolls and Ramones just seemed out of step with what I was listening to and just didn’t resonate with me at the time but this changed with the Dead Kennedys who I remember arrived out of nowhere and immediately made an impression, I loved them. Through the DKs I then found US bands Stooges and the Germs.
Good critique Mr. TNT, and you are right in appreciating the brilliance of these lyrics. Jello Biafra was definitely a well read guy, especially for being all of 20 or so at the time he wrote this. In addition to what you said, speaking out in song or otherwise like this, "at that time" took a lot of guts than it would today. (If alive, just ask John Lennon).
I wore a Dead Kennedys shirt to church one time in 6th grade. I felt the eyes all over the back of my shirt which spelled out the name and felt uneasy and badass at the same time. Can’t say that I understood the full spectrum of their content lyrically at the time but I do know and commend my younger self for unknowingly being cooler than every 6th grader at my catholic school
My BFF and I went to see the Dead Kennedy’s when we were teenagers…downtown Miami..I believe Washington Ave…also saw the Lords of the New Church-check out their song-Open Your Eyes-so prophetic!
First time watching and loved your analysis of the song. Dead Kennedys one of my favourite bands. Listen to Star And Stripes Of Corruption. Keep up the good work, bro. Pelegro on drums must be the first brother in punk. He's a legend
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Punk and metal has been warning folk since the 70s of what was coming and folk are still shocked or in total denial 🙄
so true especially now
You mean Trumps fascist takeover?
THIS!
So pleased to hear a younger generation understanding my generation's music. BTW they used to play this faster live. It was even more powerful. The only problem was dealing with the macho skinheads who'd show up to ruin the fun. Jello always told them to F-off! He was and still is a really intelligent artist.
Meee too ❤️
Halloween... Holiday in Cambodia
My generation was the 90s. A full decade when the dead Kennedys were in the scene. I discovered the band in 96' when I saw shirts with the dk logo. And the band name is real angsty, given the fact that alot of the Kennedys were gone. So I already assumed they were a Punk rock band. I bought their cassette the plastic surgery Disasters with in god we trust inc. And man! Was blown away by the vocals of Biafra and lyrics!
I wanted more, then bought Fresh Fruits for rotting vegetables and bedtime for democracy, frankenchrist and the one with police truck. Amazing band.
It was a great time to be in San Francisco. Maybe the last time it will be so, except for the great weather. Oh, wait, Hippie Hill will soon be beach front property…
@@aubreyshelton3217 a growing boy needs his lunch
Jello Biafra was equating early 80s California to Nazi Germany. California Uber Alles = California over all. All of the analogies were comparing then Governor Brown's administration to Hitler and the nazis.
Uber alles means "above all"
And "deutschland uber alles" (Germany above all) was a phrase in the german national anthem which was used by Hitler and the nazis
For example in the 1936 Olympics the crowd chanted "deutschland deutschland uber alles" when Hitler arrived at the stadium
The first stanza of the national anthem was removed due to its use and association with the nazis as it contained these words
Hey comrade, German dude here. Contrary to common believe it is not illegal to sing the first two verses of the Deutschlandlied in Germany. Those verses are just not the official German anthem anymore, only the third verse is. But those who're singing the first two verses are usually Neo-Nazis. In my hometown there weren't many of those because it used to be a mining town, so many of the people were lefties, some even radicals. At one time I was attacked by a Neo-Nazi who thought a Punk kid would be easy prey. I made sure he regretted it immediately.
"Deutschland über alles" was part of a text written by August Heinrich Hoffmann von Fallersleben in 1841 in response to French claims on region in the German Rhine area. The intended meaning of "Germany above all" was to put regional differences aside and stand united against foreign intrusion. The Social Democrats lead by Friedrich Ebert declared the song, which was accompanied by Heyden's old Austrian hymn of the Emperor, as national anthem of the Weimar Republic in 1922. Later the Nazis misinterpreted the text to fit their narrative and as usual, whatever the Nazis touch gets ruined, so Germany now has a one verse anthem, because the second stanza got removed as well.
@@dannymunch4633
Yes!!! Thank you! I am so glad you pointed out these articles and decorations that where passed. This stuff goes back further than 1930's Germany. The whole of Europa was under monarchy so Nationalism thrived(not that that is bad) but the Nazis made these ideas into ideas of hatred because of the antisemitism that polluted Europa at the time and before.
"America First", would be its contemporary counterpart nowadys - gawd, how much I miss Jello and his not so alive Kennedys these days!
@@provocase tho easy to think that on the face I don’t think that’s fair in this instance. I would generally agree with you but first that subverts the constitution which no country has had one like it, but meaning Above All, look at the culture of California from even then to today. It’s a toxic hell hole of citizens each believing above all which collectively tries to forward influence through Hollywood and packing state seats for national political pull. This most likely explains the mass exodus of its citizens the past 3 years.
Police Truck, Chemical Warfare, Kill The Poor, Let's Lynch The Landlord... Soooo many classics to check out from Dead Kennedys.
Police truck is a fierce one
Pull My Strings, the ultimate anti-rock 'n' roll song.
@@dr.juerdotitsgo5119 IDK; I kinda prefer Triumph of the Swill.
@@ZenAkita one of my favourite to play on guitar
there's also Nazi Punks Fuck Off and Too Drunk to Fuck, the latter of which is a rare "funny" song but still spits the venom the band is known for.
either way, the whole of Fresh Fruit is excellent for first-time listeners to get a feel for the Kennedys.
Jello is a lyrical genius if you see him play live he tweaks the lyrics of his songs to reflect modern day politics. Always interesting to listen to in interviews as well very well spoken and funny man
I love how he performs the songs to you..class
All that. And he manages to make this song humorous as well
I imagine he is anti-Biden admin in 2024... probably wont endorse Trump but he SHOULD if he wants to fight the Deep State.
Its everything not dont in modern music
He's a novelty item. A self made capitalist. Nothing more. Fresh fruit for rotting vegetables, my favorite album. But capitalism....
I love that Dead Kennedys didn’t spare punches whether it was left or right. And it seems that this song was way ahead of its time…
The dead Kennedys were leftist, leftists didn't like jerry brown at the time and broadly still don't because leftists do not like liberals
I think this song was a bit of a piss take of what the right were afraid of too
Dude, if you think this song was ahead of its time, then listen to Soup is Good Food. Listen to that, and then go out and look at the state of the world.
Um, liberals aren't 'the left'.
They are the centre
@@willywonka7812 dead kennedys are not liberals, they are anarchists
Perfect. We old MFs typically incorporated punk and hard rock into our collection. The DKs, Gang of Four, Sex Pistols all very political. Going to a punk show was like boxing 15 rounds
Gang of Four were highly intelligent leftists. The Sex Pistols were a set of morons
@@willywonka7812 Johnny Rotten was calling out sex abuse by the BBC 30 years early.
and the clash!
Even Black Flag
Don't forget The Clash dude
I think the entire "Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables" is worthy of a good listen, and a review- imho, it's the best album on the planet! Been listening to it for over 40 years 🥳
Definitely in the top 5 debut albums ever and also their best work, not that the others were in any way bad.
I can’t say enough good things about out this lp. Back I. 1992 I had a beater Datsun. We had rigged a cassette player into the radio. I had a tape my bf stole from the local punk club, Doshcarge in one side and the DKs ‘Fresh Fruit’ in the other side. Such good songs.
Bought that album in 1981 with no real idea who they were, burning cars on the cover made it an easy purchase. I still have it in my LP collection.
In my opinion the dead Kennedy's best album is plastic surgery disaster. Every song is awesome. Check it out I'm sure you will like it. Keep it up.
My personal favorite of theirs as well. Not a bad song on the album.
I-I-Eye, Eye Am the Owwwul!
Yeah as great as Fresh Fruit is, Plastic Surgery Disasters hits so much harder. I love it so much.
In God we trust.
Every record. For sure. But Plastic Surgery Disasters is their masterpiece in my opinion. It hits so hard.
The suede denim secret police literally exist now.
And Jello became the stasi advocating for forced vaccination of the Gov Flu.
Lucky for the rest of us, they are easy to recognize cuz who the hell wears suede denim these days?
This is absolutely amazing to see someone who actually understands the Dead Kennedys.... So many people in that time love the Dead Kennedys for just the sound of the music which is cool... But understanding what they're talking about for someone at the age of about 45 to 50 is mind blowing.. keep it up my friend.
Im confused, the older people who have lived and experienced and actually understand politics beyond just teen angst are the ones who would understand more than a kid.
@@childrenoftheabzu Exactly. Nowadays people think this song is serious. Like some sort of right wing anthem. When it's obviously satire.
@@bobandy13 I have NEVER met ANYONE who thought DK and jello were right wing in anyway. Crazy to me but I also learned that there are people who did not know Rage was a political band. Do these people think DK literally want to kill the poor for just existing? I think they actually did want to burn bougie mcmansion homes in a forest fire though.
jello is still at it with Guantanamo school of medicine
I have loved Dead Kennedys since the 1980’s. The amazing thing is how relevant their songs are today.
I think you should give a listen to “Soup is Good Food” off of their album Frankenchrist.
frankenchrist is my fav album by far. this could be anyhwere, hellnation, mtv get off the air, stars and stripes of corruption... just hits the bullseye over and over.
Dude, I just said this a second ago and did not see this comment. ISNT IT SO WILD HOW RELEVANT THAT TRACK IS? Fuck man.
"This could be anywhere" has become America , everywhere.
Frankenchrist album is so freaking dystopian and to a degree scary.
This dude gets punk rock 100%.. more punk rock than " punk rockers" I've met.
If you like this one, try "We've Got Bigger Problems Now".
Lard, a post-Kennedy's Jello Biafra band, also featured members of Ministry. It's pretty great. "Moths" is a good intro.
"the power of Lard" is the best...!!!
Can god fill teeth? Is also great. With a an alex jones-esque rant at the beginning
Lard was awesome 👌
Yeah, they were on Natural Born Killers too... Fork boy? I liked Tumor Circus too
I'm simple. 'I wanna be a drug sniffing dog' is my fave.
We've got bigger problems now...
You hit it on the head. Punk isn't a sound, or a look... It's unfiltered, sincere, honest, and a giant 'fuck you' to anyone unwilling to hear it. Doesn't matter if it's Black Flag, Minutemen, Fugazi, Kennedys, or whoever.
Dude you must be young.bless your heart.fresh fruit is acknowledged as his best and one ofpunks most influential album.
I was a teenager in the 80's living in San Francisco.The DKs played all the time, I must 've seen them a dozen times. Not that they were my favorite hardcore punk band but they always put on a good show and lots of other good bands played with them. "Police Truck" is another good DKs tune.
For another DKs song to check out I'd recommend 'Let's Lynch the Landlord'.
The singer Jello Biafra unsuccessfully ran for mayor of San Fran in 1979 and ran for U.S. president on the Green Party ticket in 2000.
As a punk rocker it was really enjoyable to see you react to the Dead Kennedys and love it. Felt like I was hearing it for the first time again! Respect!
Crazy to see Paul leave a comment on here!!
Yeah that was in my top4 ever since it was released. Magnificent
What an awesome reaction. I saw the DK's in 1981 in Manchester, UK. My first ever live gig. Insane. The album Fresh Fruit... was a masterpiece.
THANK YOU for reacting to this! Love seeing people getting exposed to the music I loved growing up (born in 1965). DK were a special kind of band. So glad I got to see them recently in Budapest, even if it Jello Biafra wasn't with them. Keep reviewing their music. You will never be disappointed.
Awesome reaction! Dead Kennedy's never disappoint! Thanks a ton for checking it out!
One if the greatest surf bands of all time !!!
R. I. P. D H PELIGRO
ONE OF THE GREATEST DRUMMERS OF ALL TIME !!!!!
Dead Kennedys are the band that I find that after 40 years, I know every lyric by heart, but I don't remember ever reading any of them.
All my thumbs up for you. Thanks for not only reacting to this, but actually checking out the lyrics!!
I so love your videos! Most people would never touch music from my younger days and I’m glad you give it a chance. Much love!
I think Jello Biafra (adopted name!) is singing about former CA governor Ronald Reagan, who was both neofascistic in many ways and replaced Jimmy Carter as prez in 1980...
Great song, great reaction (as always)!
Not in this one, but in the song "We've Got A Bigger Problem Now" from 1981, which was a new version of Callifornia über Alles with different verses.
Thanx,@@frankj10000!
Brilliant! I get so happy when i see this. Imagine I am 52 years old and still feel the intense energy as when i was a 14 year old kid listen to the so tough Dead Kennedys.
I think you would love the "decline of western civilization" documentary. It's mostly music from 80's hard-core bands like Black Flag, Fear, Genneration X, etc
That movie changed my life. Everyone should watch it
Jello biafra “lead singer” is an amazing guy, very influential to the hc scene.
he is DK
Jello Biafra, the lead singer and lyricist of Dead Kennedys, has updated this song a couple of times (as has Michael Franti, once). Jerry Brown, Ronald Reagan, Pete Wilson, and Arnold Schwarzenegger--all former CA governors--each have a version of 'California Uber Alles' written about them. Here's the complete history:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_über_alles
"The baddest governor to ever grab a mic and go BOOM!"
and yet NONE of those people HARMED California as much as Newsome..
You should also check out some of Jello's other projects. There's LARD with Al Jourgensen of Ministry. He also did great stuff with DOA and NoMeansNo, and his latest band is Jello Biafra and the Guantanamo School of Medicine. Oh, and of course more DK reactions are fine.
Lard is so great! I still sleep to Time to Melt!!
Jello Biafra is the wandering minstrel of Punk. His spoken word stuff is pretty out there too. Love the Kennedys!!
So glad you enjoyed this. As someone who listened to this in the 80s and went to many punk rock shows. It's really cool that you're listening to this awesome old school punk.
That was amazing, Back then I never could get into the Dead Kennedys until you started reading the lyrics just now !
Your reaction made me smile. Your comment in the beginning about punk music " They put the truth out there" was just dead on.
Deadkennedys are on my all time playlist. Crazy good skill and the lyrics mmhmmm
You need to do the entire Dead Kennedys Plastic Surgery Disasters album. The most clever, sarcastic and hilarious social and political commentary in American history. You will LYFAO!
Definitely check out "Kill the Poor", "Riot", or "Stars and Stripes of Corruption"
I know I’m late (just found your channel)
The title is a play on Deutschland Uber Alles (Al-is) which meant Germany over all.
And remember it came out in 1980, so yeah Carter was relevant.
DK captured my mind when I was 10.... and so much of what they said has become true over and over. Brilliant band.
I've always wondered if they listen to this song in Germany. Also, the song that has probably aged the best is "Police Truck."
One of the best punk songs of all time
“We’ve got a bigger problem now” is like a remix of this track but about Regan instead since he won the election and was based out of Cali as well. Stars and Stripes of corruption is a must. Police Truck, Chickenshit Conformist, MTV get of the air, and Soup is good food are also well recommended.
First - props to you man. The DK’a require a bit of research for sure, but it pays off. A favorite? “Well paid scientist.” But that’s constantly changing. Anything off Plastic Surgery Disasters/In God We Trust Inc. “we’ve got a bigger problem now,” “government flu,” and “moral majority” are damn close seconds. I
had the fortune of having AT release an album I played on, Jello is probably the nicest guy I ever encountered in the music industry. And bands I was in met with everyone from Atlantic, Elektra, RCA, relapse, hydra head, level plane... AT’s deal was preposterously more fair than any other major or indie label.
We got to visit the AT HQ in San Fran. Stood in the room where they recorded a lot of DK music.
Jello has the craziest record collection you’ve ever seen. Generous, nice dude, every San Fran show he’d turn up, usually unannounced, just to give an encouraging “ferrrrrrocious as usual!!!” He’s the real deal.
DK does not F around Uber Alles German for " OVERALL" as in Hitler's Deutschland Uber Alles "he was saying Californication as in everything becoming being ruled by California in the F'in 80's ...SOOO GOOD
Serpents egg already hatched. Is a Shakespeare reference. Meaning the plan is already in motion.
Forest Fire is a wild one and quite relevant today as is, my all time favorite DK song, Riot. And now that I think about it, Police Truck as well. All 3 of those songs could have been written today and the music would be still be miles ahead of the pack and lyrics would be considered 'ripped from the headlines'.
I saw the Kennedys play in ATL back in Sept 2024. They changed it up a little. It's Mar A Lago Uber Alles these days. Still all killer, no filler
I think its very helpfull when you go through the lyrics since many times they are hard to understand. Thanks.
I have the vinyl sleeve of this signed by original founder and vocalist Jello Biafra! I messaged his management and they passed it on to Jello and he signed it!
Love this band so much! It is great to see people opening up to all types of music!
Try Bad Religion next!! 21st century digital boy is a good "intro" then completely dive in
A revelation the first time you hear the dead kennedies or Gang of Four, try to hell with poverty
The soundtrack to my youth! This was part of what used to be called loosely West coast Underground nowadays known as post-punk. From SoCal up to Vanc BC the Dead Kennedy's (DKs) would drive up I-5 & tour. Those were the days when bands like Black Flag, Descendants, Meat Puppets etc did the same. A long time ago now.
Never understood the appeal of reaction videos, until I just watched you react to this song. Punk rock, Dead Kennedys, and this song in particular changed the way I heard music, and the way I saw the world. It's like I got to vicariously hear it for the first time again today. Thank you, love the video
Jello has always been political. In 1979, he ran for mayor of San Francisco. In 2000, he ran for the Green Party of the United States presidential nomination, finishing a distant second to Ralph Nader. Definitely an iconic figure in the punk scene, an interesting character to say the least.
As far as a recommended song goes, they have so many that you couldn't go wrong with, but to name a few off the top of my head, without putting much thought into it: Drug Me, A Child and His Lawnmower, Chemical Warfare, MTV - Get off the Air, Religious Vomit, Dog Bite, or We've Got a Bigger Problem Now.
From Scotland and I fkin knew that!!!🤣🤣💚🏴🍻
If you like their lyrics, you really need to listen to Soup is Good Food. That song has been blowing my mind away for thirty years.
Just popped over for a bit of nostalgia, and so very pleased at your reaction. In the late '70s & early '80s where I lived, punk was considered just a bunch of scary, loud, violent hoodlums. So pleased to see people realize how brilliantly intelligent and brilliantly talented punk could be.
Oh man, needed that. Love me sum Dead Kennedys
Ive been a subscriber for about a year now, but i just hit Notification bell (a rare thing for me) because of THIS reaction! Im a Chicago House/Nu Disco House DJ, but my musical tastes are all OVER the place (raised on bluegrass, big punk/ska fan growing up, big into Jazz, etc). Loving your reactions!! EDIT: another GREAT punk band from the 80s that was based in CA was The Descendents! They were pretty much the fathers of Pop Punk (though i put them as Skate Punk really). More light hearted, but had some heavy hitters too. Milo Aukerman was the epitome of the Punk Nerd. Bikeage, Coolidge, Wendy (Beach Boys cover)..so many great ones! They eventually turned into the band ALL (Milo Aukerman quit the band to become a Biochemist), and had some GREAT tunes as ALL (No Traffic, Carnage, Educated Idiot, Explorador). It's a rabbit hole you want to go down!
I’m planning to feature a lot more punk. Stay tuned.
My favorite Dk songs are pull my strings, riot, and Nazi punks fuck off.
Also, there is a follow up song to California Uber Alles called We've got bigger problems now.
Listen to Winnebago Warrior, one of my favorite Dead Kennedys songs, Jello has a very unique voice and one of the greatest frontmen ever
This what makes me love PuNK RoCk music! When people first hear it, they either love it or absolutely hate it!🤣 it’s awesome for this guy to share his experience with listening to new bands!
Make sure you hear the bands.
Black Flag, Circle Jerks, OFF! And X ! If you haven’t already! 🤙🤓❤️
Thanks for reacting to the punk scene. I didn’t think anyone on YT would be doing these.
Not a fan of the Dead Kennedys, I never liked the surf-rock flavor in their music. But this song is one of my favorites of any genre, any bands. It was amazing just as music when I was too young to understand what it was about and it got even better when I became able to appreciate all the humor and satire of Biafra's lyrics. Punk rock masterpiece.
The surf rock thing is why I think there so unique and my favorite
You probably would LOVE their song "Riot".
they were NOT surf rock.. at all. The band originated in Colorado.@@lucasglll
True punk in America is so rare, you have to apprechiate this. Here we have hundred "Dead Kennedis" and no attention at all.
I love their album ‘Fresh Fruit For Rotting Vegetables’. It was their first album and almost like their ‘greatest hits’ in a punk rock sense. But I liked their second album ‘Plastic Surgery Disasters’ even more. It’s got more depth lyrically and musically. The band was at their peak on that one and ‘Frankenchrist’ was an almost equally great follow up. Can someone who’s a Patreon request ‘Stars and Stripes of Corruption’? Personal favor to me ? Pretty please ? If I could afford it I would be one, believe me. I LOVE this channel. It’s like watching me the first time I heard this life-altering music.
Whenever I see a DK handbag I think of the Dead Kennedys. It was kick in the teeth take no prisoners music. Miss that type of music.
Frankenchrist is unlistenable. Just admit it..when was the last time you listened to it all the way through?
@@danielgriff2659 A couple weeks ago. I love every song on that album except for Hellnation and At My Job which I just skip over.
Great to see people checking this out. I highly recommend checking out some Bad Brains if you haven’t already.
You need to do more 80's punk rock, particularly from the American hardcore underground from the early 80s. I don't see a lot of reactors doing that, you could be a trend-setter, TNT!!!.
I think The Germs, Black Flag, 7 Seconds and some more Minor Threat will give you a good start. From there it branches-out to The Minutemen. Most of this stuff had no hope of being mainstream at that time, so they just did it whatever way they wanted.
dont forget Husker du, early social distortion, circle jerks, fear, suicidal tendencies., etc, etc.... sooo many that should not be forgotten...
This world today definetely need more punk music.
Just to add some context to this song, by the late 70s all the California counterculture people of the 60s (hipsters, hippies, etc) were now in their 30s and 40s and were becoming the establishment. They were into new age stuff like organic food (hence ORGANIC poison gas etc) and Jerry Brown was considered to be "their" political candidate. So the song is basically a satire painting the future as a hellscape where the ex-hippies become the New Nazis.
Yeah, that specific bit of context got lost in the shuffle here. And, obviously, when Governor Brown became Governor Reagan, "We've Got A Bigger Problem Now."
Exaclty, this Song is a satire about the mission awareness, of those people.
Right. As if the 60's/70's counterculture generation would last 5 minutes if some dictator walked into town and took over. A Mao t shirt ? well, here you are, some authoritarian communism for ya. Intellectuals get executed
people dont understand that Jello was actually a true Liberal and was anti-leftist.
And it the Democratic Party with their woke... did just that... as the New Nazis... destroyed the SF, and every major city.
Gavin Newsom is the new Jerry Brown... even looks the same... radical socialist authoritarians.
Thanks for this, man. Brought a big smile to my face to see a big smile on your face. It's still an amazing song, there's no denying that!
They updated this song for the Reagan era on their In God We Trust, Inc EP. Too me an even greater version called "We've Got a Bigger Problem Now"
Awesome. Police Truck is a heavy but relevant song by Dead Kennedys. Peace from Geelong Australia.
I recommend Black Flag too.
I messaged his Alternative Tentacles management in 2020 for his autograph, they replied and said yes! i sent my vinyl sleeve of this and after 6 months it finally returned back signed by Jello Biafra!
This is a great tune!
Check out Minor Threat, Guilty of Being White
I saw them them in the mid 80's, coming home with a pair of broken glasses and four day old ear ringing. One of my faves is "At My Job." More of an electronic tune, but still crazy sounding.
shout out for more black folks getting into punk :) love it! #Diversity
I grew up listening to the Dead Kennedys. They have so many good songs, it’s hard to pick a favorite. But when you do another video, I’ll be sure to watch. Peace
In 1984, the Dead Kennedys released a sequel to this song on their album In God We Trust, Inc. about then-president Ronald Reagan, who preceded Brown as Governor of California. This update - which is done in jazz/lounge style for most of the song - is called "We've Got A Bigger Problem Now."
In a Songfacts interview with Dead Kennedys lead singer Jello Biafra, he said: "I realized I was wrong about my conspiracy theory about Jerry Brown. Sure, I'd made it up all by myself and it turned out not to be true, so it was updated with Reagan lyrics until 'We've Got A Bigger Problem Now,' and the jazz version we goofed off with at soundcheck wound up becoming a staple of that record and the live show."
I am subbing to you. I am a geezer punk, and no one really does much with punk music. LOVE IT! You should do When Ya Get Drafted!
IMO Frankenchrist was their stand out album as far as displaying the range of their musical influences, certainly their best produced.
One of the best songs off that album here ruclips.net/video/dfnOFvZvEuA/видео.html
ABSOLUTELY AGREED, hellnation is one of my favs off that one as well.
The Dead Kennedys music/lyrics are arguably more relevant right now than when written pre-Reagan! ... We're talking 40 years ago! Prophetic or what??
👍
You should check out some of the lead singer Jello Biafra's spoken word. He tells you again and again what they wanted to do with their music - to get you, the listen to question. Not to just question the government, the system, religion, but also him - don't take ANYONE's word as law - THINK FOR YOURSELF. It's why punk is so inherently anti-right wing and why they will always fail when they try to co-op it, the lyrics themselves speak against them. Also there isn't a bad DK's album - all their songs are at WORST good. It's scary how much their lyric not only still apply from 40 years ago but MORE so today. Check out their song Police Truck and see what us punk thought about cops back in 1979.
It’s hard to express just how happy hearing this track made me
Not sure if this resonates with other Brits but I remember in UK in the late 70s mainly listening to mainly punk British bands and not really being interested at the time in punk bands coming over from the US . Bands like NYDolls and Ramones just seemed out of step with what I was listening to and just didn’t resonate with me at the time but this changed with the Dead Kennedys who I remember arrived out of nowhere and immediately made an impression, I loved them. Through the DKs I then found US bands Stooges and the Germs.
now you have to do the version he made about Ronald Reagan thats just this but better, its called Weve Got a Bigger Problem Now
Good critique Mr. TNT, and you are right in appreciating the brilliance of these lyrics. Jello Biafra was definitely a well read guy, especially for being all of 20 or so at the time he wrote this. In addition to what you said, speaking out in song or otherwise like this, "at that time" took a lot of guts than it would today. (If alive, just ask John Lennon).
I wore a Dead Kennedys shirt to church one time in 6th grade. I felt the eyes all over the back of my shirt which spelled out the name and felt uneasy and badass at the same time. Can’t say that I understood the full spectrum of their content lyrically at the time but I do know and commend my younger self for unknowingly being cooler than every 6th grader at my catholic school
My BFF and I went to see the Dead Kennedy’s when we were teenagers…downtown Miami..I believe Washington Ave…also saw the Lords of the New Church-check out their song-Open Your Eyes-so prophetic!
Exactly bro,you targeted in what realy is.INSANE-POWERFULL-SENSITIVE-CHAOTIC all at the same time.Brilliant song.
Old Aussie punk/metal/country head, love your work man. The only possible reaction to the DK's.👍👌👍🫡👍👌
Gorilla biscuits. 80's hardcore punk(still going)
You won't be sorry
First time watching and loved your analysis of the song. Dead Kennedys one of my favourite bands. Listen to Star And Stripes Of Corruption. Keep up the good work, bro. Pelegro on drums must be the first brother in punk. He's a legend
Great reaction to my favourite U.S. punk band,my favourite song is Kill The Poor.
Love the Dead Kennedys. Every song is good. Legends
bro, u just took me in a journey to my 16´s again... thnx 4 the reaction to that great band.