[PREVIEW] Dead Kennedys @ Commodore Ballroom
Photo by Emilia Brock
The San Francisco Bay Area isn’t just the birthplace of thrash metal – hardcore punk has roots in the California city, most prominently with the formation of the Dead Kennedys in 1978.
The historic bad-attitude outfit is heading a few thousand miles north to Vancouver’s Commodore Ballroom for what ought to be an absolutely insane Tuesday night for security. The current lineup features founding guitarist East Bay Ray and bassist Klaus Flouride, as well as longtime drummer D.H. Peligro and shorttime vocalist Ron “Skip” Greer, taking the place of Jello Biafra, who hasn’t been with the band since it broke up in 1986.
The band’s loyal fans will certainly go crazy in the moshpit during “Holiday in Cambodia”, “California Über Alles”, “Kill the Poor” and “Police Truck”, and perhaps they’ll bust out a few furious covers like Elvis’ “Viva Las Vegas” or The Beatles’ “Back in the U.S.S.R.”
Opening for DK are Victoria punkers Dayglo Abortions, The Jolts and The Liquor Kings – a stellar punk lineup for a venue that’s hosted dozens of intense shows from D.O.A., The Subhumans and a legendary 28-minute set by The Ramones. Something tells me this Dead Kennedys concert can have that same legendary stigma by the time they’re done on October 2nd.
Tickets cost $35.25 and are on sale through Ticketmaster in-person and online.
