Dead Kennedys are a pioneering punk rock band formed in San Francisco in 1978. Known for their sharp political satire and provocative lyrics, the group featured East Bay Ray on guitar, Klaus Flouride on bass, Jello Biafra as vocalist, and drummers Ted and later D H Peligro. 6025 played rhythm guitar in the early days. Their groundbreaking debut, Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables, helped define American punk in the early 1980s. The band went on to release a series of influential albums, including Plastic Surgery Disasters, Frankenchrist, and Bedtime for Democracy, all on the independent label Alternative Tentacles. Controversy over their lyrical content and album artwork, as well as legal battles over royalties, marked their history. After splitting in 1986, the band reunited in 2001 without Biafra and have continued to perform live, though they have not released new studio material since. Their legacy endures for their fearless social commentary and lasting influence on punk music.