Chapter 1: Alive at the Enzian
* Summary: The book opens with the Dead Kennedys' iconic performance at the Enzian Theater in Berkeley in 1979. The band's raw energy and provocative lyrics shock and captivate the audience, cementing their status as pioneers of hardcore punk.
* Real Example: The band's performance of "Kill the Poor" becomes a defining moment in their career, both for its political message and its aggressive sound.
Chapter 2: Plastic Surgery Disaster
* Summary: The Dead Kennedys release their debut album, "Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables," in 1980. The album's cover art, featuring a severed head in a plastic surgeon's mask, is controversial but also becomes a hallmark of the band's aesthetic.
* Real Example: The album's title track, "Plastic Surgery Disasters," satirizes plastic surgery and beauty standards.
Chapter 3: In God We Trust, Inc.
* Summary: The Dead Kennedys follow up their debut with "In God We Trust, Inc." in 1981. The album explores themes of political corruption, consumerism, and nuclear war.
* Real Example: The song "Too Drunk to Fuck" becomes a fan favorite, despite its controversial lyrics about the dangers of alcohol abuse.
Chapter 4: Frankenchrist
* Summary: In 1985, the Dead Kennedys release their third album, "Frankenchrist." The album's cover art, which depicts a crucified H.R. Giger painting, leads to the band's arrest on obscenity charges.
* Real Example: The song "MTV Get Off the Air" criticizes the commercialization of music and the influence of corporate media.
Chapter 5: Give Me Convenience or Give Me Death
* Summary: After the obscenity trial, the Dead Kennedys begin to fracture. They release their final album, "Give Me Convenience or Give Me Death," in 1987 before disbanding in 1986.
* Real Example: The song "Drug Me" explores the themes of addiction and self-destruction.
Chapter 6: The Aftermath
* Summary: The Dead Kennedys' legacy lives on beyond their official breakup. The band's music continues to influence new generations of punk musicians, and their controversial history remains a topic of discussion and debate.
* Real Example: The band's former members go on to form other projects, including Jello Biafra's Guantanamo School of Medicine and East Bay Ray's Dischord.
