Press Release by Jello Biafra Explains Why the Greed Motivated Ex- Kennedys Should NOT be Supported

For those of you who know who the Dead Kennedys are I’m sure you’re in tune with their old political ideals. Well, it seems that the only member of the band that’s still following those ideals is the ex-singer, Jello Biafra, who’s been a political activist and head of Alternative Tentacle Records for years now as the rest of the band have….well…check out this press release:

 

Meanwhile there is more ugly news. The three ex-Dead Kennedys have sold off the albums without my permission or endorsement to a label called Manifesto and are now planning a "reunion" gig in Los Angeles in late September. Apparently the scab singer is Brandon Cruz, late of Dr. Know, and better known as the former TV child star in "The Courtship of Eddie's Father."

I say let the audience be the judge. But I donąt seem to be the only one who has trouble with anyone trying to seriously pass this off as a legit Dead Kennedys revival. People have been calling Alternative Tentacles complaining that Ticketmaster failed to warn them that I was not a part of the "band" and wanting their money back. Please understand that I am not part of this scam at all. Nor am I part of this ex-DKs "personal appearance" in Los Angeles sponsored by, get this, Best Buy (!) to promote the movie "Rage".

I also feel I have an obligation to blow the whistle and warn people why I do not support and did not authorize these so-called "reissues" on Decay Music and Manifesto.

I am embarassed by the poor performances on the live album and embarassed to be associated with Manifesto. I feel they are taking advantage of an ugly legal verdict even before a judge has heard our appeal. The ex-DKs legal action came right after I opposed using our best song "Holiday in Cambodia" in a Leviąs Dockers TV commercial. If you would like more information about the people behind Manifesto please check Negativland's book, "FAIR USE": The Story of the Letter U and the Numeral 2", chapter 2.

Their distributor, Navarre, only dabbles in music. Their primary focus seems to be on computer software and videos. For a real corporate eye opener check their website at : http://www.navarre.com

I also was not consulted at all on a live video & DVD only 30 minutes long they just released on a company called MVD, or the Australian versions of the doctored DK re-issues on Shock. So I canąt recommend any of these either. Our first album. "Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables" remains available throughout North America on Alternative Tentacles.

I have asked the ex-DKs and their rogue enterprise Decay Music to please remove my name and likeness from all their releases and promotional material. Don't get me wrong, I'm as proud as ever of Dead Kennedys and grateful for how much we mean to people. But to me what they are trying to do is like spray-painting a McDonalds logo on the Mona Lisa. Just wait until you see how they "improved" the artwork on the CDs. People who have heard them also seem divided on whether the re-mastering improved the sound or did the opposite. I canąt tell because Ray & Co. have not allowed me to hear the remastered versions or have any input at all.

So our fight to keep something that means a lot to many of us (especially me) from winding up in the corporate cartoon graveyard goes on. All help and support for the Alternative Tentacles Legal Defense Fund continues to be very deeply appreciated.


Yours in Frankenchrist,
Jello Biafra

April 19, 2001