Retro Raunch Revisit

Happy 45th Anniverary to the San Francisco band's raw searing debut which was an immediate insight that would go on to see them become one of the most well known iconic punk bands in history (everybody knows their logo). Highly noted for singer Jello's distinctive signature vocals, sharp-biting & sarcastic political lyrics that showed no fear of going on the leftist attack, catchy surf guitar riffs, and a bouncy closing-track ELVIS cover, FFFRV is the first vibrant foray into remorseless songs that would rail against indifference to poverty & inequality, pop culture consumerism, conformity, corporate greed, government hypocrisy, anti-war & American military excursions, and especially Reaganism. While Jello's provocative socialist critiques/commentary still invites criticism, whatever your current opinion on his monlogues however, there was no denying that his lively delivery accompanied by energetic, goofy & often chaotic stage presence was a huge draw that grabbed attention. Bad blood stemming from unpaid royalties, songwriting credits & licensing disputes would eventually boil over between the bandmates against Jello in a bitter war of words and a legal battle in court which he lost in 2000. The DK's reformed without Jello in 2001, and have since fronted 3 singers. The album's front cover photo of a row of burning police cars was taken during the May 1979 White Night Riots. [The torchings came immediately after San Fran ex-District Supervisor Dan White was given only a 7yr prison sentence for murdering Mayor George Moscone and fellow Supervisor Harvey Milk. His leniency was due to his "twinkie defense" that argued his mental state was of diminished capacity because eating junk food had caused depression making him incapable of premeditated 1st-degree murder. White was found guilty of voluntary manslaughter which outraged the gay community who took to the streets violently, and with leading psychiatrists calling the verdict a travesty of justice. Having served only 5yrs, he committed suicide in Oct 1985. The DK's cover of 'I Fought the Law' on their Give Me Convenience or Give me Death compliation album has an improvised lyric referencing White]. The 25th anniversary release of FFFRV in 2005 features a bonus dvd titled 'Fresh Fruit for Rotting Eyeballs' documenting the DK's early years up to their first UK tour with rare live footage, interviews, and a higlight on Jello's run for mayor in Nov 1979.