Jello Biafra with the Melvins

Godfather of American punk, former Dead Kennedys' front man Jello Biafra has been comfortable on the spoken word circuit for years, releasing an occasional musical collaboration with like-minded sorts such as D.O.A. and Mojo Nixon. Clearly inspired by the Iraq war and the debacle of Schwarzenegger, Biafra has returned to...

By Darryl Smyers

September 29, 2005

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Godfather of American punk, former Dead Kennedys' front man Jello Biafra has been comfortable on the spoken word circuit for years, releasing an occasional musical collaboration with like-minded sorts such as D.O.A. and Mojo Nixon. Clearly inspired by the Iraq war and the debacle of Schwarzenegger, Biafra has returned to music at his ranting best on most of Sieg Howdy!, his second with sludge-meisters The Melvins, gleefully howling over the buzzsaw accompaniment with an energy not heard since DK classics "Holiday in Cambodia" and "Nazi Punks Fuck Off." One of the many highlights is "Those Dumb Punk Kids (Will Buy Anything)," a scathing indictment of old school punk bands reuniting without original members, clearly inspired by the three-fourths of the DK currently touring with former child star Brandon Cruz. Biafra has even more bile for the California gover-nator who gets hilariously roasted on the updated (and retitled) punk chestnut "Kali-fornia Uber Alles." And with "Caped Crusader," Biafra has created quite possibly the most chilling and insightful look at global terrorism. The venom here is real, the release cathartic and the punk attitude miraculously undiminished by middle age.

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