While the 1980s produced plenty of pop radio hits, the decade is also known for its exploration of grittier genres, like punk rock. Far Out magazine recently spotlighted some of the top punk albums released in the ’80s. The publication’s ranking of “the 10 best punk albums from the 1980s,” included popular records like The Clash‘s Combat Rock from 1982, Milo Goes to College by the Descendents, also released in 1982, and Black Flag‘s Damaged from 1981.
According to Far Out magazine, the top ’80s punk album is Fresh Fruit For Rotting Vegetables by the Dead Kennedys, released in 1980. The publication complimented the album for its songs, like “Kill The Poor,” “When Ya Get Drafted,” and “Chemical Warfare,” which are steeped in biting social commentary.
Jello Biafra Shared What Some of the Songs From ‘Fresh Fruit For Rotting Vegetables’ Meant
Shortly after Fresh Fruit For Rotting Vegetables was released, the San Francisco punk band’s singer, Jello Biafra, discussed the album during an interview with British musician Julian Miles Holland. When asked about “Kill The Poor,” he explained that the song “is sarcastic,” meant to unmask “villains causing certain problems,” specifically those with great wealth who don’t have any regard for those affected by poverty. In addition, he said that the album’s song, “California Über Alles,” “warns of fascism in disguise.”
While speaking to Holland, Biafra also explained that he and his bandmates did not mean to offend members of John F. Kennedy and Robert F. Kennedy‘s family when coming up with the Dead Kennedys name.
“It’s a name not meant to be a slap on the Kennedy family, so much as to call attention to what happened after they were killed. Why people in this country turned more and more inward and became more and more self-centered, and as a result that set themselves up to be the corporate-serving rodents that they are today,” said Biafra, now 67.
