Artist profile · 05/07/2026
Dead Kennedys
- 16
- Albums on Vinyles.com
- 1.4M
- Last.fm listeners
- 56M
- Last.fm plays
About
Dead Kennedys, San Francisco's provocative hardcore punk pioneers since 1978.
Dead Kennedys contributed significantly to the 1980s punk hardcore scene from their base in San Francisco. Their discography of mostly studio albums, EPs, and live recordings are released on various indie labels, notably Alternative Tentacles and Manifesto, featuring politically charged lyrics and intense energy.
Among their vinyl catalog are seminal records like 1980's "Fresh Fruit For Rotting Vegetables", the 1982 "Plastic Surgery Disasters", and 1985's "Frankenchrist". Collector editions and box sets such as "DK 40" highlight the band's ongoing influence in punk circles.
Discography
Dead Kennedys discography
Studio albums, live records, compilations and radio recordings. Each album groups all its editions.
A Skateboard Party
Dead Kennedys
- Vinyl 1
- CD
- Cassette
Give Me Convenience or Give Me Death
Dead Kennedys
- Vinyl 8
- CD 2
- Cassette 1
From$37.29
at AmazonDMPO's on Broadway
Dead Kennedys
- Vinyl
- CD
- Cassette
Mutiny on the Bay
Dead Kennedys
- Vinyl 3
- CD 1
- Cassette
Iguana Studios Rehearsal Tape: San Francisco 1978
Dead Kennedys
- Vinyl 1
- CD 1
- Cassette
From$24.00
at eBay
Out of Luck - Berkeley '81
Dead Kennedys
- Vinyl
- CD
- Cassette
Data provided by Discogs
Listen
Signature songs
- 01
Holiday in CambodiaIguana Studios Rehearsal Tape - San Francisco 1978 · 2018 - 02
Police TruckDK 40 · 2019 - 03Too Drunk to FuckDK 40 · 2019
- 04California Uber AllesIguana Studios Rehearsal Tape - San Francisco 1978 · 2018
- 05Kill the PoorIguana Studios Rehearsal Tape - San Francisco 1978 · 2018
- 06Nazi Punks Fuck OffDK 40 · 2019
- 07Let's Lynch the LandlordDK 40 · 2019
- 08
Viva Las Vegas
Essentials
3 Dead Kennedys albums you need to own
Our picks, approved by the editors.
#1 · 1980Debut studio album with influential punk anthems showing their early hardcore punk style on Cherry Red label.
Vinyl LP10 tracksCherry Red (UK)Original pressings sought by collectors
#2 · 1982Second studio album notable for its hardcore punk intensity and politically charged songs, widely released on Alternative Tentacles.
Vinyl LP, Special Cut13 tracksAlternative TentaclesMultiple pressings available
#3 · 1985Third studio album that triggered controversy over its artwork, representing their peak creative and confrontational punk phase.
Vinyl LP10 tracksAlternative TentaclesExtensively reissued
Go further
Artists similar to Dead Kennedys
Artists who share part of Dead Kennedys's musical DNA.
B-side
B-side: the hidden stories of Dead Kennedys
Studio secrets, tour stories and B-sides worth the whole album.
Jello Biafra's 1979 San Francisco mayoral run
In 1979, the band's lead vocalist Jello Biafra announced his candidacy for San Francisco mayor, finishing fourth among ten candidates as a political statement.
Formation of Alternative Tentacles in 1979
Dead Kennedys founded their own label Alternative Tentacles in 1979, releasing most of their records and supporting other punk acts like Bad Brains.
Frankenchrist's 1985 obscenity trial
"Frankenchrist" (1985) included a controversial poster reproduction of HR Giger's "Landscape XX" that led to a police raid and an obscenity trial in San Francisco; the case ended in a no-contest outcome.
Their debut LP blends raw punk energy with surf rock influences to define American hardcore punk's beginning.— Dead Kennedys musical style overview
Live at The Deaf Club 2013 reissue
The 'Live At The Deaf Club' album, originally recorded in San Francisco, saw a popular limited edition UK vinyl reissue by Let Them Eat Vinyl in 2013.
DK 40 box set original US pressing
The 2019 US Manifesto pressing of the DK 40 box set, catalog MFO 42930, remains a prized collector's item with limited availability and prices around €87.
Dead Kennedys vinyl discography
See allFresh Fruit For Rotting Vegetables
Dead Kennedys
Punk / HardcoreAlternatif
2026-07-01GoldState MusicFrom$24.90
2 offersNazi Punks Fuck Off / Moral Majority
Dead Kennedys
Punk / HardcoreAlternatif
2025-12-05Gold State MusicFrom$17.99
1 offerGive Me Convenience Or Give Me Death
Dead Kennedys
Punk / HardcoreAlternatif
2023-10-27AUDIOPLATTERFrom$37.29
1 offerPlastic Surgery Disasters
Dead Kennedys
Punk / HardcoreAlternatif
2023-10-27AUDIOPLATTERFrom$28.57
1 offerLive At The Old Waldorf 1979 (Broadcast Recording)
Dead Kennedys
Punk / HardcoreAlternatif
2023-10-20EXPENSIVE WOODLAND RECORDINGSIguana Studios Rehearsal Tape - San Francisco 1978
Dead Kennedys
Punk / HardcoreAlternatif
2019-08-16MANIFESTOFrom$24.00
1 offer
Dead Kennedys CDs
See allFresh Fruit For Rotting Vegetables The 2022 Mix
Dead Kennedys
Punk / HardcoreAlternatif
2026-07-31Cherry RedFrom$17.99
1 offer
Recommended accessories
See allBig Fudge 4-in-1 Vinyl Record Cleaning Kit, Brush and Cleaning Fluid | Anti Static Velvet and Stylus Brushes, Storage Pouch, Full Clean in Under a Minute, Gentle on Grooves
$24.99
View on AmazonBig Fudge 12" Vinyl Record Inner Sleeves, 50 Pack, Acid Free Paper | Heavyweight Construction, Safe for Long Term Storage, Protects LP Albums from Dust, Dirt and Scratches
$21.99
View on AmazonBig Fudge 7" Vinyl Record Sleeves - Inner Sleeves 50 Pack - Anti Static Rice Paper Acid Free Vinyl Covers - Vinyl Accessories Protect LP Albums from Dust, Dirt & Scratches
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View on AmazonBig Fudge 7" Vinyl Record Sleeves - Inner Sleeves 25 Pack - Anti Static Rice Paper Acid Free Vinyl Covers - Vinyl Accessories Protect LP Albums from Dust, Dirt & Scratches
$14.99
View on AmazonBig Fudge 7" Vinyl Record Sleeves - Round Bottom Inner Sleeves 50 Pack - Anti Static Rice Paper Acid Free Vinyl Covers - Vinyl Accessories Protect LP Albums from Dust, Dirt & Scratches
$21.99
View on Amazon
FAQ
FAQ
The most common questions about pressings, reissues and limited editions.
When was Dead Kennedys formed and where?
Dead Kennedys formed in June 1978 in San Francisco, California, USA.
What genre best describes Dead Kennedys' music?
The band is best known as a hardcore punk band mixing punk rock, punk hardcore, and political lyrics.
Which Dead Kennedys album contains the song 'Holiday in Cambodia'?
'Holiday in Cambodia' appears on the 1980 album 'Fresh Fruit For Rotting Vegetables'.
What are notable vinyl pressings of Dead Kennedys albums?
Notable pressings include the 1980 UK Cherry Red 'Fresh Fruit For Rotting Vegetables', 1982 Alternative Tentacles 'Plastic Surgery Disasters', and the 2019 US Manifesto 'DK 40' box set.
Where can I find live Dead Kennedys vinyl recordings?
Live recordings like 'Live At The Deaf Club' were recorded in San Francisco and have been reissued on vinyl by UK label Let Them Eat Vinyl.
Are Dead Kennedys vinyl records available in France?
Yes, several pressings, including recent reissues, can be found in France via specialist retailers and online platforms.
What is the price range for original Dead Kennedys vinyl pressings?
Prices vary widely, from around €13 for limited edition rehearsal tapes to over €80 for rare box sets like 'DK 40'.
Did Dead Kennedys release any vinyl EPs or singles?
Yes, they released various singles and EPs such as 'Nazi Punks Fuck Off' which remain collector's items.
Transparency
Sources & method
This profile is compiled by the vinyles.com editors from public sources and our marketplace.
Our method
- Discography data from MusicBrainz (dates, country, active years).
- Tracklists, covers and genres from Discogs Masters.
- Values (low / median / high) and stock from the Discogs Marketplace.
- Audience and similar artists from Last.fm.
- Page updated automatically and reviewed by the editors.