Dead Kennedys / O2 Academy 2 / Birmingham

May 12

May 12 Dead Kennedys / O2 Academy 2 / Birmingham

What a day, but there was no way I was going to miss this show. A long day at Meadow Lane working as Notts County took on Boreham Wood in the National League play-offs, and then straight to the station for a train ride over to Birmingham to see the legendary Dead Kennedy’s at the O2 Academy.

Early 80’s were dominated for me by bands such as Misfits, Dead Kennedys, Black Flag and Bad Religion. I still have (and play) my original vinyl copies of Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables (1980), Frankenchrist (1985) and Bedtime for Democracy (1986). That love of punk has continued with bands like Pennywise, Total Chaos, IDLES, CLT DRP and more. I never got to see the DK’s in their prime and I couldn’t wait.

Up first though were a band new to me, in Pïss Bäth from Glasgow. This was raw hardcore old school punk at it’s best as they powered through a fast and furious and short supporting set (a little over 20mins – very punk). They rattled through a set list including tracks such as Inverness Knifeman and Sword Swallower and a surprisingly good punk version of Z.Z. Tops classic Sharp Dressed Man. The drums were relentless and backed up with a heavy bass sound that had the speakers shaking supplemented with some excellent sharp and complex guitar tones and riffs.

The place was heaving now, and it was getting hotter and hotter. The crowd were loving every second of it, and Pïss Bäth delivered in bucket loads for them.

A short break to rearrange the stage and we were ready for the Dead Kennedy’s. The band have seen a few changes over the years since iconic frontman Jello Biafra left in 1986, but the other core members have stuck around in East Bay Ray (guitar) Klaus Flouride (bass) and D H Peligro (Drums).

Tragically in October 2022 D H Peligro died after a fall at home aged only 63. The tour is called the “DH Power Tour” in his honour, and before starting the show Klaus, East Bay and singer Ron ‘Skip’ Greer came out onto the stage to dedicate tonight’s performance to their dear late friend.

As the band came out to start, they were joined by drummer Santi Guardiola, who I have to say was very good. He has previously played in Peligro and Black Oil and was a friend of D H Peligro’s and had been the bands drum tech since 2011. It seemed the perfect fit.

You couldn’t move in the place, and it was so hot and humid. Security opened the doors stage left to allow some fresher air in as they ripped into Forward to Death. Since reforming, there’s no new material, but that’s not the point….. it’s just hit after hit after hit.

Despite the years, the tone and playing ability is not diminished, as East Bay Ray hurls out those iconic riffs. There’s something about their sound that is so utterly unique, and beautiful. Skip Greer on vocals is a great fit, and has a similar (but his own) sound and a manic style reminiscent of their glory days.

The classics keep coming, with their anti-police brutality track Police Truck, Let’s Lynch the Landlord, Kill The Poor (from the icon debut LP Fresh Fruit), and the brilliantly controversial hit Too Drunk to Fuck.

As the main set comes to a close, the crowd are shouting loud and joining in with Nazi Punks Fuck Off before we end on the iconic political criticism of 80’s right wing politics focusing on California Governor Jerry Brown, in California Uber Alles a track that seems horrifically as poignant today with Trump as it did back then.

As the band came out for the encore, there were more classics to delight the heaving crowd, with their cover of Elvis’s Viva Las Vegas followed by Holiday in Cambodia to which the crowd eagerly sing along. Finally we end on Chemical Warfare.

An incredible night, with young Scots Pïss Bäth, and the veteran California trailblazers, they showed there’s still plenty of life in punk. One of the most iconic bands of all time and still producing on stage after all these years. One that should be on everyone’s bucket list of shows to see.

A long and late train ride home, I reflected on the day. A win in the football and a trip to Wembley next weekend, and a breath-taking performance from my musical heroes….. I don’t think days come any better than this.

Set List

Forward to Death

Winnebago Warrior

Police Truck

Buzzbomb

Let’s Lynch the Landlord

Jock-o-Rama

Kill the Poor

MP3 Get off the Web

Too Drunk To Fuck

Moon Over Marin

Nazi Punks Fuck Off