Dead Kennedys was formed in San Francisco, California in 1978 by East Bay Ray (Guitar). East Bay Ray recruited Jello Biafra (Vocals), Klaus Flouride (Bas) and Bruce Slesinger (Drums) and this was the first Dead Kennedys lineup. Their debut album Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables has been certified gold by the BPI and was a huge hit. The album contained tracks like Kill the Poor, California Über Alles and Holiday in Cambodia.
Jello Biafra’s lyrics are often filled with morbid humor and satire and Holiday in Cambodia is no exception. Holiday in Cambodia is not a typical hardcore song though - it’s quite long and it’s rather slow. The lyrics are deep and covers a few themes including making satiric mocking of the Pol Pot regime of Cambodia. This is probably Dead Kennedys most well-known track and is a true classic. Dead Kennedys disbanded in 1986, but reformed in 2001, without Jello Biafra. The song was also featured in Guitar Hero 3: Legends of Rock.
Holiday in Cambodia is definitely one of my favorite Dead Kennedys tracks. Their song Police Truck is my all-time favorite though.
