"Frankenchrist" Album Description:
The Dead Kennedys' "Frankenchrist" album stands as a provocative and controversial piece of musical history, not only for its punk rock sound but also for its album cover, which features an artwork titled "Penis Landscape" by the renowned Swiss artist H.R. Giger. Released in 1985, the album stirred up a considerable amount of controversy and legal issues, making it a landmark case in the realms of art, music, and censorship.
The creation history of "Frankenchrist" begins with the collaboration between the Dead Kennedys and H.R. Giger. Giger, known for his surreal and biomechanical art, gained widespread recognition for his work on the design of the creature in the film "Alien." The band approached Giger to create an original piece for the album cover, seeking to push boundaries and challenge societal norms.
The resulting artwork, "Penis Landscape," is a surreal depiction of various sexual organs intertwined with machinery and other bizarre elements. Its explicit content led to immediate backlash upon the album's release. The band faced legal repercussions, and the album was deemed obscene in a highly publicized trial.
The controversy centered around the inclusion of the "Penis Landscape" poster inside the album, which sparked a legal battle. The Dead Kennedys and their record label argued that the poster was a form of artistic expression and social commentary, while the prosecution maintained that it violated obscenity laws.
Ultimately, the jury acquitted the band and the record label, recognizing the artistic merit and freedom of expression in Giger's work. However, the legal battle took a toll on the Dead Kennedys, leading to financial strain and eventually contributing to the band's dissolution in 1986.
The "Frankenchrist" saga remains a significant chapter in the history of music censorship, highlighting the tension between artistic expression and societal norms. The Dead Kennedys' bold choice to collaborate with H.R. Giger resulted in a landmark case that continues to be discussed and analyzed in the context of free speech and artistic freedom. The album cover, with its controversial artwork, stands as a testament to the power of music and art to challenge and confront societal taboos.
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Band Information
Dead Kennedys were an American punk rock band that formed in San Francisco, California in 1978. The band consisted of lead vocalist Jello Biafra, guitarist East Bay Ray, bassist Klaus Flouride, and drummer Ted. They were known for their fast-paced and aggressive musical style, as well as their politically charged and often controversial lyrics. Their first album, "Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables," was released in 1980 and included songs such as "California Über Alles" and "Holiday in Cambodia," which tackled issues such as fascism, environmentalism, and U.S. foreign policy. Over the course of their career, Dead Kennedys released several more albums, including "Plastic Surgery Disasters" and "Frankenchrist," before disbanding in 1986. Despite facing censorship and legal battles over the years, the band remains an influential figure in the punk rock genre and continues to have a dedicated following.
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Music Genre:
Prog Acid/Psych Rock / New Wave
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Description / Collector's info:
This album includes a ~24inch poster with adult artwork by the Swiss artist HR Giger. Due to the adult nature of this poster, this poster has been removed from most releases of this album
H.R. Giger a Swiss artist, achieved fame for his dark, biomechanical style that blends human and machine. His airbrushed paintings often depicted disturbing dreamscapes. He designed the terrifying xenomorph in the movie "Alien," which earned him an Academy Award. The H.R. Giger Museum in Switzerland showcases his work.
See some of his most famous designs:
The Dead Kennedys' album "Frankenchrist" included a controversial poster created by the artist HR Giger. The poster, titled "Penis Landscape," featured a graphic depiction of sexual imagery and genitalia. This led to widespread outrage and calls for censorship.
The album was banned in several countries, including Germany and the United Kingdom, and the band and their record label were charged with distributing harmful material to minors in the United States. The case went to trial, and while the band and label were ultimately acquitted, the legal battle took a toll on the band's finances and reputation.
The controversy surrounding "Frankenchrist" and the "Penis Landscape" poster is an example of the ongoing debate around censorship and artistic expression. While some argue that such graphic content is inappropriate for public consumption, others argue that censorship is a violation of free speech and artistic freedom.
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Album Production Information:
Produced by Jello Biafra
John Cuniberti - engineer, mixer
Winston Smith - artwork
Album weight 280 gram
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Record Label & Catalognr:
New Rose records ROSE 75
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Media Format:
12" LP Vinyl Gramophone Record
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Year & Country:
1985 Made in France
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Band Members and Musicians on: Dead Kennedys - Frankenchrist with Adult Poster by Hr Giger
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Band-members, Musicians and Performers
- Jello Biafra - lead vocals, producer, mixer
Jello Biafra (Real-name: Eric Reed Boucher an American singer, songwriter, and spoken word artist. He was born on 17 June 1958, in Boulder, Colorado. Biafra is best known as the lead singer and songwriter for the punk rock band Dead Kennedys. He formed the band in 1978 and they released several albums, including "Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables" and "Plastic Surgery Disasters." After the Dead Kennedys disbanded in 1986, Biafra continued to release music and engage in political activism through his own record label, Alternative Tentacles. He has been involved in a number of controversies throughout his career, including legal battles over the Dead Kennedys' music and his outspoken views on various political and social issues.
1 February 2023 at 11:57:15 CET v1.0 initial version
- East Bay Ray - guitar, synthesizer, bellzouki
- Klaus Flouride - bass, backing vocals
- D.H. Peligro - drums, backing vocals
- John Leib - trumpet
- Tim Jones - keyboards
- Nina T.R. Stapleton - backing vocals
- Laura T.R. Muetz - backing vocals
- Julie Hoffman - backing vocals
- Susan Caldwell - backing vocals
- Danielle Dunlap - backing vocals
- Robyn Lutz - backing vocals
- Kris Carleson - backing vocals
- Steve DePace - backing vocals
- Wild Bill - backing vocals
- Sweet - backing vocals
- Wee Willy Lipat - backing vocals
- Microwave - backing vocals
- Gary Floyd - backing vocals
- Eugene Robinson - backing vocals
- Jeff Davis - backing vocals
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