Dead Kennedys

Originally released several years ago, this long out-of-print DVD sees the light of day once again. This 58-minute video captures not only a fantastic performance by one of the greatest American punk bands ever but also the landmark closing of a significant alternative theatre in San Francisco. Opening with a 15-minute prologue that backgrounds the DMPO's On Broadway's importance in the local art world, what follows is a 14-song set of incendiary, politically-charged and typically powerful music from Jello Biafra, East Bay Ray, Klaus Flouride and Darren H. Peligro. Filmed in 1984, shortly before the release of Frankenchrist, the set includes music from that record as well classics-in-the-making like "Nazi Punks Fuck Off" and "Police Truck." Unfortunately this doesn't include a version of "Holiday in Cambodia," the DKs' best-known song. There are other DK films around but they are later in the band's history and are more interesting for the obvious tension between the band. During this set, the band is at the top of its game, with Biafra strutting and stripping like Mick Jagger hopped up on goofballs. Having said all that though, it's still buyer beware. There are no extra features outside of a scrollable discography and the transfer is a little shaky due, one can only imagine, to the poor quality of the source material. (Cherry Red/Navarre/EMI)