Dead Kennedys - Give Me Convenience Or Give Me Death (1987) RESTORED

Give Me Convenience or Give Me Death is a compilation album by the American hardcore punk band the Dead Kennedys. It was released in June of 1987 through frontman Jello Biafra's record label Alternative Tentacles. The album consists of songs (or in some cases, different versions of songs) that were not released on the band's studio albums. The album was certified gold by both BPI and the RIAA in December 2007.

The title is a play on the famous ultimatum by Patrick Henry, "Give me Liberty, or give me Death!", and is intended as a commentary on American consumerism. Give Me Convenience or Give Me Death was the last Dead Kennedys album that Biafra approved the production of, which also led to it being the last album released through Alternative Tentacles.

Track for track and album after album, the Dead Kennedys were the most relentlessly political and controversial stateside punk rock band to gain much public notoriety. Originally released in 1987, 'Give Me Convenience or Give Me Death' collects 17 of the band's singles, compilation tracks, and rarities spanning the eight years they played together. This is a wide and deep collection of favorites like "California Uber Alles" and "Holiday in Cambodia", but the real reason to pick up this disc is the more obscure and rare material. Their version of "I Fought the Law" rewrites it into a true-to-life murder ballad, while rippers like "Life Sentence", "Insight", "Pull My Strings" and "Straight A's" are off the map unless you were lucky enough to pick up the original singles or compilations that they're pulled from. And "Kinky Sex Makes the World Go 'Round" is Biafra at his sarcastic best, as he tells of one corporate head instructing another on the economic necessity of a new war.The Dead Kennedys are categorized by singer/activist Jello Biafra's biting political commentary, the group's unwillingness to takes themselves too seriously, and some of the most memorable punk-pop of all-time. Highlights include such punk anthems as "Police Truck", "Too Drunk to Fuck", plus the hilarious stage improv "Night of the Living Rednecks".

Hounded by political enemies and reaching their personal breaking point, the Kennedys bowed with a retrospective of some of their fiercest, finest moments. If one needs a starting point for the band's fierce, funny assault on any level of complacency imaginable, Give Me Convenience is indeed as convenient as it gets. Focusing for the most part on non-album cuts or various rarities, it appeals to hardcore Dead Kennedys fans as well as neophytes. The collection includes some of the band's earliest greats, like the legendary rant "Too Drunk to Fuck", as withering a depiction of getting trashed and stupid as any. While the definitive "California Über Alles" and "Holiday in Cambodia" make the cut from the first album, there are also plenty of more obscure and unknown goodies. The second half features live tracks like the hilarious "Pull My Strings," which vivisects typical rock star pomposity (knowingly quoting the Knack's "My Sharona") before shifting into an even nuttier chorus. Another screamingly funny number is the improv "Night of the Living Rednecks", done "while Ray was changing strings" at an Oregon date in 1979. After threatening to play the theme from the Dinah Shore show, the remaining three members light into something resembling a beat/'50s hep groove, only with Biafra recalling a tale of idiots encountered during a previous visit to Portland. Meanwhile, there's a version of "I Fought the Law", which easily trumps the Clash's version, helped by a lyric change or two along the way. Messy, nutty, and fun, Convenience is a treat and a half.

~ Ned Raggett, all media guide

Tracklist:

01. Police Truck
02. Too Drunk To Fuck
03. California Über Alles
04. The Man With The Dogs
05. Insight
06. Life Sentence
07. A Child And His Lawnmower
08. Holiday In Cambodia
09. I Fought The Law
10. Saturday Night Holocaust
11. Pull My Strings
12. Short Songs
13. Straight A's
14. Kinky Sex Makes The World Go 'Round
15. The Prey
16. Night Of The Living Rednecks
17. Buzzbomb From Pasadena


Compiled & Produced by Jello Biafra
Recorded between 1979 - 1987.

• Jello Biafra - lead vocals
• East Bay Ray - guitar
• 6025 - rhythm guitar (on early recordings)
• Klaus Flouride - bass, backing vocals
• D.H. Peligro - drums, backing vocals
• Ted - drums (on early recordings)

Original Release Date: June 1987
Format: Original Recording Reissued
Label: Alternative Tentacles Records
Catalog No.: VIRUS 57CD