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Dead Kennedys

Dead Kennedys Tour Dates and Upcoming Concerts

Welcome to the official artist page for Dead Kennedys – your premier destination for the latest concert tickets, tour announcements, and exclusive shows near you. Dive into the music, explore the artist’s reviews and photos, and never miss another concert moment. Stay updated, stay connected, and be the first to grab tickets for an unforgettable musical experience.
On tour Yes
Followers 668,653
Category Punk Rock, Punk
Concerts
Mar
15
Lucky Punks 2025
Silverado
Tickets
Mar
28
Paradise Rock Club
Boston
Tickets
Mar
29
Irving Plaza
New York
Tickets
Mar
30
Archer Music Hall
Allentown
Tickets
Apr
02
Theatre of Living Arts
Philadelphia
Tickets
Apr
03
9:30 Club
Washington
Tickets
Jun
19
RECINTO MENDIZABALA
Gasteiz / Vitoria
Tickets
About Dead Kennedys
DEAD KENNEDYS were one of the most popular and important American hardcore punk bands of the late ’70s/early ’80s. They formed in San Francisco in 1978 when EAST BAY RAY placed an ad in a music paper that vocalist JELLO BIAFRA responded to. They were soon joined by bassist KLAUS FLOURIDE, drummer TED and a second guitarist known to posterity simply as 6025. The latter departed in March 1979, while Ted was replaced at the very end of 1980 by D.H. PELIGRO. After a brief rehearsal period, Dead Kennedys played their first gig at Mabuhay Gardens in July 1978. The “Fab Mab” was a Filipino restaurant in San Francisco's North Beach section that served as a home to punk bands for nearly ten years. It wasn't too long before the band gained a considerable following around San Francisco. Live, DKs were a combination of chaos and theatrics. Their sound could be described as a cross between the Sex Pistols and the Ventures. Dead Kennedys’ early success led them to record their first single, “California Über Alles,” in 1979, a blistering attack on the then Governor of California, Jerry Brown. It was released on their own label in the USA, Alternative Tentacles Records, set up by East Bay Ray. That single was later issued in Britain on the indie label Fast Products. “Holiday in Cambodia” (1980) followed and is perhaps the band’s definitive moment - a perfect mix of hilarious yuppie-baiting lyrics and evil-sounding music. Almost as essential were “Kill The Poor” (1980) and “Too Drunk To Fuck” (remarkably, a British Top 40 single in 1981) and the debut LP, FRESH FRUIT FOR ROTTING VEGETABLES (1980). That LP went on to be awarded a Gold Record in Britain. Underpinned by an acute sense of humor, early songs such as “Let’s Lynch The Landlord,” “I Kill Children” and “Chemical Warfare” satirized the twin elements of extreme violence and conservatism that characterize much of American life. Dead Kennedys’ inflammatory name and provocative behavior (in one 1979 prank, Biafra ran for mayor of San Francisco - and came in fourth) attracted the attention of a number of far-right politico-religious groups. The band’s problems with these self-appointed moral guardians were compounded by a confrontational relationship with US authorities, ensuring an aggressive police presence at most of their gigs. But the band continued to expand their audience by playing at a mix of underground venues in different corners of the USA and Canada. They did their first British tour in late 1980, which established the band there as a figurehead for an audience long deprived of the Pistols, Biafra stage-diving to great enthusiasm. Dead Kennedys went on to tour worldwide, covering the continents of North America, Europe and Australia. The eight-track EP, IN GOD WE TRUST INC. (1981), took things further, boasting a speed and power that left most reviewers nonplussed and contemporaries trailing. The EP included a wild cover of "Rawhide" and “Nazi Punks, Fuck Off,” an anti-violence paean. The band then changed musical gears again when the PLASTIC SURGERY DISASTERS appeared in late 1982. Possibly their best album, this fine collection of songs retained the trademark savagery and satire, but the musical content had diversified, even including such unexpected moments as Klaus Flouride playing clarinet. Featured were the singles “Bleed for Me” and “Halloween,” and it also included "Moon Over Marin," as close as Dead Kennedys ever came to a ballad, albeit with anti-pollution lyrics. After two years of touring, where they performed all over North America, Europe and Australia, the more melodic FRANKENCHRIST (1985) appeared, marked by a frantic sense of desperation that reflected America’s increasingly right-wing political landscape and with songs like "MTV Get Off the Air." As ever, the group ran into controversy, this time with the LP’s accompanying poster, “Penis Landscape,” by Swiss artist H. R. Giger. Detailing several rows of copulating genitalia, it provoked a legal offensive against the band beginning in April 1986. As well as having his flat torn apart by the police, Biafra was charged with “distributing harmful matter to minors,” a charge which he repulsed on the basis of the First Amendment right to free speech and which was dismissed the following year. But before the controversy, the band made the decision to disband in January 1986 and decided to complete the recording BEDTIME FOR DEMOCRACY, released later that year. The band rocked as tight as ever, with Ray’s voodoo/surf guitar, Flouride’s thumping bass and Peligro’s skin bashing providing the perfect “sturm und drang” for Biafra’s words. GIVE ME CONVENIENCE OR GIVE ME DEATH, a fantastic collection of their classic early singles and B sides, rare tracks and compilation tracks, was released in 1987. Adapted from THE ROUGH GUIDE TO ROCK biography by Andy Lewis. Welcome to the official Dead Kennedys Facebook page. This page is a FAN PAGE for all things past and present related to Dead Kennedys. Current Touring Members - East Bay Ray, Klaus Flouride, D.H. Peligro, and Skip McSkipster
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Genres
Punk Rock, Punk
Photos
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What fans are saying
Dave
5 / 5
Great night .Been a fan since 78 but missed them last time in OZ.Impressed with set ,interaction with crowd .Haven’t had a good pogo for years .As usual Metro delivered as a venue .👍
Metro Theatre Sydney, Australia
Nov 04, 2018
Andrew
4 / 5
Great band after all these years. Could have only been better with Jello. Skip's good - I just can't help feel he's doing a lot of Hello's antics.
Hirsch Nuremberg, Germany
Jun 17, 2019
QueefLatina
5 / 5
Dead Kennedys crushed it!!! The opening bands, Billy Batts & The Made Men and Iron Roses were phenomenal as well. The Kennedys have still got it!
The Masquerade Atlanta, GA
Sep 12, 2024
Alan
5 / 5
I've been a fan for 40 years this night was truly amazing seeing them live will go again next time thanks lads for a great night.
The Academy Dublin 1, Ireland
May 03, 2024
Jim
5 / 5
Always enjoy seeing the DK's & this show was no exception. Pleasantly surprised by the band, The Cops. Old school punk that was very good.
White Oak Music Hall Houston, TX
Dec 17, 2017
J.R.
5 / 5
Great show - lots of wild energy. The openers The Iron Roses were a real standout band too - I'd definitely see them again.
The Masquerade Atlanta, GA
Sep 12, 2024
zonker17
5 / 5
What a blast! Fun night and great crowd. Security was a bit much at this venue, and that might be a SATX issue.
Vibes Event Center San Antonio, TX
Nov 12, 2023
Johnny
5 / 5
Shit was good, last time I was able to see them was early 2000s. Glad to see 'em again.
Vibes Event Center San Antonio, TX
Nov 12, 2023
Markus
5 / 5
Just great. Was not sure how it might sound without Jello. Skip did an amazing job.
LKA Longhorn STUTTGART-WANGEN, Germany
Jun 11, 2019
MvR
5 / 5
Great performance! I did enjoy it a lot. See you next time 😎🤘🏻
Melkweg Amsterdam, Netherlands
Aug 12, 2019
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Dead Kennedys Tour Cities
New York, NY Philadelphia, PA Boston, MA Allentown, PA Washington, DC

Frequently Asked Questions About Dead Kennedys

Concerts & Tour Date Information

Is Dead Kennedys on tour?

Yes, Dead Kennedys is currently on tour. If you’re interested in attending an upcoming Dead Kennedys concert, make sure to grab your tickets in advance. The Dead Kennedys tour is scheduled for 7 dates across 5 cities. Get information on all upcoming tour dates and tickets for 2025-2026 with Hypebot.

How many upcoming tour dates is Dead Kennedys scheduled to play?

Dead Kennedys is scheduled to play 7 shows between 2025-2026. Buy concert tickets to a nearby show through Hypebot.

When does the Dead Kennedys tour start?

Dead Kennedys’s tour starts Mar 15, 2025 and ends on Jun 19, 2025. They will play 5 cities; their most recent concert was held in Silverado at Oak Canyon Park and their next upcoming concert will be in Philadelphia at Theatre of Living Arts.

What venues is Dead Kennedys performing at?

As part of the Dead Kennedys tour, Dead Kennedys is scheduled to play across the following venues and cities:

2025 Tour Dates:

Mar 15 - Silverado, CA @ Oak Canyon Park
Mar 28 - Boston, MA @ Paradise Rock Club
Mar 29 - New York, NY @ Irving Plaza
Mar 30 - Allentown, PA @ Archer Music Hall
Apr 02 - Philadelphia, PA @ Theatre of Living Arts
Apr 03 - Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club
Jun 19 - Gasteiz / Vitoria, Álava @ RECINTO MENDIZABALA
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