Frankenchrist

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Frankenchrist
Dead Kennedys - Frankenchrist cover.jpg
Studio album by
Dead Kennedys
ReleasedOctober 1985
RecordedHyde St. Studios, May & July 1985
GenrePost-punk, alternative rock
Length45:12
LabelAlternative Tentacles
ProducerJello Biafra
Dead Kennedys chronology
Plastic Surgery Disasters
(1982) 		Frankenchrist
(1985) 		Bedtime for Democracy
(1986)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic3.5/5 stars[1]
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music3/5 stars[2]
MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide2.5/5 stars[3]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide3/5 stars[4]
Spin Alternative Record Guide5/10[5]

Frankenchrist is the third album by the American hardcore punk band Dead Kennedys, released in 1985 on Alternative Tentacles.[6]

The album is an example of the progressive, psychedelic side of Dead Kennedys' musical personality. The spaghetti western soundtrack influence is also noticeable in the horn parts and in East Bay Ray's atmospheric guitar work. Frankenchrist is noted for its relative lack of traditionally 'hardcore' material. Most of the songs are slower and longer than the majority of other Dead Kennedys songs. "M.T.V. − Get off the Air" is notable for its pointed slam of the music establishment and "Stars and Stripes of Corruption" for its exegesis of vocalist Jello Biafra's political philosophies.

Controversies[]

"Landscape #XX"[]

The album was a subject of controversy because the original record sleeve included a poster featuring the painting Landscape #XX, or Penis Landscape, by H. R. Giger, depicting rows of penises and vulvae. The choice of the painting came as the result of a comment by Jello Biafra to his then-roommate and Dead Kennedys artist, Jayed Scotti, art partners with Winston Smith. Biafra showed Scotti a copy of Omni magazine showing several works of art by Giger, including "Penis Landscape", printed in 1977, for a Paris art collection. Biafra said he wanted to use the piece on the upcoming album cover. Scotti phoned New York agent Les Barany and explained the project. Barany contacted Giger to ask permission, then contacted Mike Bonanno of Alternative Tentacles Records; Giger agreed to let the label use a reproduction chrome of the artwork for $600, half the usual price. Biafra presented the idea to the other members of the band, but the idea was rejected as the album cover and as an interior gatefold double LP album. Finally it was accepted as an inserted poster. Jayed Scotti created the production mechanicals by hand for the poster. The poster was printed and inserted in the Frankenchrist album with an additional sticker on the outside shrinkwrap, warning buyers of the contents.[7]

Jello Biafra was brought to trial for distributing harmful matter to minors, and though the case did not result in a conviction, Alternative Tentacles was almost driven to bankruptcy. It was only through the support of fans that the label was able to stay alive. Biafra gained attention as a champion of free speech, and was subsequently one of the most active opponents of the Parents Music Resource Center.

Shriners[]

Frankenchrist's front cover itself depicts a Shriners parade, featuring Shriners members driving miniature cars, wearing their distinctive red fez hats.[8] The four Shriners members pictured in the photograph sued Dead Kennedys in 1986.[9] The image was originally photographed and published by Newsweek in the 1970s, a decade before the Frankenchrist usage by Dead Kennedys and Alternative Tentacles in 1985.[9]

Critical reception[]

Trouser Press wrote: "There are some bad tracks with forced, awkward lyrics, but the LP does contain two of the DKs’ finest moments: 'MTV — Get Off the Air' and 'Stars and Stripes of Corruption', one of the most powerful political statements ever committed to vinyl."[10]

Track listing[]

All tracks are written by Dead Kennedys, except when stated.

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Soup Is Good Food" 4:18
2."Hellnation"D.H. Peligro2:22
3."This Could Be Anywhere (This Could Be Everywhere)" 5:24
4."A Growing Boy Needs His Lunch" 5:50
5."Chicken Farm" 5:06
6."Jock-O-Rama (Invasion of the Beef Patrol)"Jello Biafra4:06
7."Goons of Hazzard"Biafra, East Bay Ray4:25
8."M.T.V. - Get off the Air"Biafra3:37
9."At My Job"Ray3:41
10."Stars and Stripes of Corruption" 6:23
Total length:45:12

Personnel[]

  • Jello Biafra – lead vocals, producer, mixer
  • East Bay Ray – guitar, synthesizer on "At My Job", 12 string electric bellzouki brand acoustic guitar on "MTV - Get off the Air"
  • Klaus Flouride – bass, backing vocals
  • D.H. Peligro – drums, backing vocals

Additional Performers[]

  • John Leib – trumpet on "MTV - Get Off The Air"
  • Tim Jones – keyboards on "A Growing Boy Needs His Lunch"
  • Nina T.R. Stapleton – backing vocals on "Jock-O-Rama"
  • Laura T.R. Muetz – backing vocals on "Jock-O-Rama"
  • Julie Hoffman – backing vocals on "Jock-O-Rama"
  • Susan Caldwell – backing vocals on "Jock-O-Rama"
  • Danielle Dunlap – backing vocals on "Jock-O-Rama"
  • Robyn Lutz – backing vocals on "Jock-O-Rama"
  • Kris Carleson – backing vocals on "Jock-O-Rama"
  • Steve DePace – backing vocals on "At My Job"
  • Wild Bill – backing vocals on "At My Job"
  • Sweet – backing vocals on "At My Job"
  • Wee Willy Lipat – backing vocals on "At My Job"
  • Microwave – backing vocals on "At My Job"
  • Gary Floyd – backing vocals on "Chicken Farm", and "Stars and Stripes of Corruption"
  • Eugene Robinson – backing vocals on "Chicken Farm", and "Stars and Stripes of Corruption"
  • Jeff Davis – backing vocals on "Chicken Farm", and "Stars and Stripes of Corruption"

Production[]

Charts[]

Chart (1985) Peak
position
UK Indie Chart[11] 1

Certifications[]

Region Certification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[12] Silver 60,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References[]

  1. ^ "Frankenchrist - Dead Kennedys | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic" – via www.allmusic.com.
  2. ^ Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Volume 2: MUZE. pp. 801–802.CS1 maint: location (link)
  3. ^ MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide. Visible Ink Press. 1999. p. 318.
  4. ^ The Rolling Stone Album Guide. Random House. 1992. p. 185.
  5. ^ Spin Alternative Record Guide. Vintage Books. 1995. pp. 106–107.
  6. ^ "Dead Kennedys | Biography & History". AllMusic.
  7. ^ Wishnia, Steven. "Of Punk and Pornography: Rockin' With the First Amendment". The Nation. October 24, 1987.
  8. ^ Bierman, Bryan. "Hidden Gems: Dead Kennedys' 'Frankenchrist'". Magnet Magazine.
  9. ^ Jump up to: a b "Album Cover Prompts Suit From Shriners". Sun Sentinel. United Press International. October 3, 1986. Retrieved 4 September 2015.
  10. ^ "Dead Kennedys". Trouser Press. Retrieved 2 April 2021.
  11. ^ Lazell, Barry (1997). Indie Hits 1980-1989. Cherry Red Books. Archived from the original on June 5, 2011. Retrieved September 5, 2014.
  12. ^ "British album certifications – Dead Kennedys – Frankenchrist". British Phonographic Industry.Select albums in the Format field. Select Silver in the Certification field. Type Frankenchrist in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
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