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Jello Biafra

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description Jello Biafra Overview

Jello Biafra, born Eric Reed Boucher in 1958, is an American singer who co-founded the hardcore punk band Dead Kennedys in San Francisco in 1978. As the band's frontman, Biafra became known for satirical and politically charged lyrics addressing government corruption and social hypocrisy. In 1979, he established Alternative Tentacles record label, which released Dead Kennedys material and music by other punk artists. After the Dead Kennedys disbanded in 1986, Biafra pursued spoken word performances and political activism, including a run as the Green Party's presidential candidate in 2000.

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When did Jello Biafra co-found the Dead Kennedys?

Jello Biafra co-founded the Dead Kennedys in San Francisco in June 1978. The band quickly became one of the most prominent and provocative acts in the American hardcore punk scene. Their debut single "California Über Alles" was released in 1979 on their own Alternative Tentacles label, establishing both the band and the label as fixtures of the West Coast punk underground.

What was the 1985 Frankenchrist trial involving Jello Biafra about?

In 1985, Jello Biafra and Alternative Tentacles were charged with distributing "harmful matter to minors" because of the H.R. Giger poster insert included in the Dead Kennedys' 1985 album "Frankenchrist." The case went to trial in Los Angeles in 1987 and ended in a hung jury, with the charges ultimately dismissed. The trial became a major free speech cause in the alternative music community and nearly bankrupted the label.

What is Alternative Tentacles and what is Biafra's role in it?

Alternative Tentacles is the independent record label founded by Jello Biafra in 1979, originally created to release Dead Kennedys material. It grew into one of the most influential independent punk labels in the United States, releasing music by artists such as NoMeansNo, D.O.A., and The Melvins. Biafra continues to run the label and remains its central creative force.

What did Jello Biafra do after the Dead Kennedys broke up?

After the Dead Kennedys disbanded in 1986, Biafra pursued a prolific solo career focused on spoken-word performances of political commentary, releasing numerous albums through Alternative Tentacles. He also collaborated musically with other artists, including the band Lard (with Al Jourgensen of Ministry) and The Melvins on the 2004 album "Never Breathe What You Can't See." He ran for the Green Party presidential nomination in 2000, finishing second to Ralph Nader at the convention.