Dead Kennedys

Dead Kennedys is an American hardcore punk band formed in San Fransisco in California. The band formed in 1978.

The Dead Kennedys are known to have been a huge part of the more hardcore side of punk in America during the early to mid eighties. During their popularity, they gained a huge underground fanbase among the punk rock community, as well as making a huge impact in the United Kingdom.

Although they were one of the forerunners of American hardcore bands, their music is extremely unique even in the way of hardcore and punk today. With genres like garage rock, psychedelic, and rockabilly, the Dead Kennedys were known for their exotic style. The lead singer, Jello Biafra, used 'biting lyrics' that tackled sociopolitical issues that were large in the 70's and 80's. Their lyrical composition usually had a distinct sense of satire and humor in a more morbid sense the more joking bands that followed the same route like Butthole Surfers (1976) or Primus (1984).

The band was at one point charged with obscenity trials during the mid-80s due to the artwork of their 1985 album "Frankenchrist". The band was charged with "distribution of harmful matter to minors". However, the court case ended and the band was not charged.

The band broke up in 1986, along with the release of their final studio album "Bedtime for Democracy". They did, however, play three different performances in late 2010.

The reason for the addition to MMA was due to the band's heavy development and influence on the thrash side of metal, along with Eric Reed Boucher (Jello Biafra)'s dabblings in metal.