DEAD KENNEDYS won me over! Bass Teacher REACTS to "Halloween"

[@marcharley6465]

A lot of punk bands either feigned musical incompetence or were genuinely novice musicians. This fitted with the punk ethos that "Anybody can do this" and was a rejection of the overblown pomp and flashy musical sophistication of Prog Rock. Dead Kennedys, however, didn't hide their competence, preferring to use their musicianship to create specific atmospheres (albeit within the punk genre). Klaus was far more than just a steady/pocket bassist.

[@mftmss7086]

Pocket pu$$y

[@Inzo42]

The musicians in the band weren't kids who picked up their instruments to start DK, they were accomplished musicians before punk was a thing, that's why they stood out. Klaus is 75 years old!

[@DerekTaylor-d1f]

Best rhythm section for a rock band. Them. And Bad Brains.

[@paydrough]

I’ve never heard the word ‘feigned’ before. Thank you :)

[@amocmofficial]

Or they had both which made for an interesting sound. 😅

[@CristyReacts]

Nice to see you dip back into the DKs!

[@LowEndUniversity]

You know it!

[@andrewxhodder2014]

Thanks so much for tackling this finally. This is one of my all time favorite albums; pretty much amazing from front to back. Each player is in top form on this. I think the addition of DH Peligro on drums (one of the godfather’s of hardcore drumming) really allowed for Klaus to showcase his abilities. To me, this is them in their prime. A truly focused and tight album. I hope we can see this as a full album review! Thanks again!!

[@matthewgerken7487]

So stoked on this review. I remember first buying the Fresh Fruit For Rotting Vegetables album back in like ‘96 from Tower Records with my allowance money, all because one of the guys in Unwritten Law was wearing a Dead Kennedy’s shirt on the back of their cd. I distinctly remember upon first listen, not really getting it at first and thinking that the music sounded like eerie or evil surf rock. Perfect description for Dead Kennedys. Didn’t take long before they became one of my favorite bands. Definitely an acquired taste that I did not get at first. I now realize the pure genius that is The Dead Kennedys. Jello Biafra with his Tiny Tim style vocals and East Bay Ray with his evil surf rock guitar style. Nobody sounded like them before they came along and no one has been able to even come close to their sound since.

[@corycourtney8923]

Great tune, Riot would be my favorite from that record. The eerie vibe is so well crafted.

[@Nickel138]

Omg. One of my favorite albums. This song was okay bass wise. I don’t really have money to spend on anything extra right now, but I’d join Patreon for this album alone. 😂 Dead serious. The reason it’s so upbeat is the feel of the “it’s Halloween, it’s time for fun…” but then it gets kind of dark at the end. Their songs are amazing because of stuff like this. Hey, it’s Halloween… it’s fun, hey it’s this blues progression… we know what’s going on here, we are familiar with this…. Nope! It’s a different take from DK. I immediately heard the bass on the next song “Winnebago Warrior” in my head. That’s one of my favorites. So good. Thank you for this. Thank you for checking out the lyrics, too. His lyrics changed my life, and changed the way I look at the world.

[@jimmiejuarez6824]

I would patreon for this album as well. In a heartbeat

[@nenomengo]

Yes, it's impossible talking aboit DK's songs without talking about the lyrics, They changed my life either.

[@wolfkelli5077]

I love Dead Kennedys a lot. You're absolutely right that this song is more playful, and in my understnd, DK has two modes: Dark and politically violent or sarcastic and politically violent. Fun video!

[@rabbyte3824]

Don’t forget sarcastic and politically violent

[@sqidvishus]

If you like Surf Punk, Check out Agent Orange. They did a lot of that stuff.

[@CrashRaph01]

Now you have to listen to Misfits "Halloween"

[@ComaTwins]

Nah, Samhain's Halloween II

[@AgentBeans]

@@ComaTwins Def Samhain's is creepier!

[@Clem68W]

One of their more poppy bangers would be "Moon over Marin". It sounds quite radio-friendly, and it's absolutely grim.

[@mikeeacrett9681]

My favourite

[@russellwhitehead469]

My favourite Kennedy’s song also. 👍

[@baldemaroo]

now we need Forrest Fire, intro is a blast to play on bass!

[@SebPaez]

“Cesspools in Eden” is my favorite, I believe Klaus plays a Fender Bass VI on that one

[@zachloy1545]

ya gotta continue onto Winnebago Warrior!!🤘🏻🤘🏻

[@Kirkshelton]

I'm a drummer, not from a punk background and kind of never thought it was complicated music. Until I joined a punk band and started learning covers of classic punk songs and they are so deceptively complicated. It was really cool seeing you break this song down from the bass perspective. Never going to listen to it the same again. This is my favorite DK album for sure.

[@Bob_Piss]

Fuckin phenomenal. I think Bedtime for Democracy might just barely beat out this record for my favorite DK album but it's so fuckin close. This is an amazing, possibly perfect record. It really is amazing from top to bottom. It should go on a poll for sure.

[@SchtinkFinga]

I agree…bedtime is my favorite as well

[@benjamin6909]

Oh gosh! I haven't thought about this song in so long, and it's an absolute favorite from when I was a teen. The combo cd of this with in god we trust inc. is the best DK album.

[@nenomengo]

Dead Kennedys, best band ever. Amazing bass in this album. I Love Halloween. Great lyrics, It was a huge influence in my teenage years.

[@striker2422]

I cannot express enough how much I love And adore this channel❤❤❤❤ patreon included…it’s worth it!!! The full album reviews are so insightful and well done

[@LowEndUniversity]

You're the best!

[@JoshuaDOtt]

Yes! Holiday in Cambodia is arguably their biggest song and it’s great but I don’t think it really showcases the manic surf rock side that is one of the more unique aspects of DK.

[@touchgrasstryhard8604]

Your comments about the surf sound are spot on. That's a big component of their guitar tone. Same w/ the thing you said about the guitar feeling a touch "off" or out of tune, it's by design. A defining aspect of their history is disruption: lyrically, musically, socially...

[@rodeowerewolf3004]

Jello grows on you...That's what my mom told me anyway when I asked for ice cream.

[@LowEndUniversity]

😂👏

[@Hasta-la-pasta]

Well done

[@user-Jimbob]

Dead Kennedys are sooooo fucking original!!!!

[@andypenny2010]

Thank you, thank you, thank you for this video. I have been waiting for years for someone to properly react to Halloween. Klaus is one of my favourite bassists of all time. please listen to the full album. It’s a joy

[@LowEndUniversity]

Glad I could help! I plan to listen to it soon!

[@kyle.howard]

Great video. Love the song & band.

[@daft73games]

Great time! Thanks for re-visiting DK 😀

[@Clunko]

That enthusiastic dissection of Halloweens’ bass was TREMENDOUS FUN to listen to and watch! Thank you! I first got the record as a 12” SINGLE release with another great track ‘Saturday Night Holocaust’ on the B Side. Keep up the great work and hello from Bonny Scotland!

[@LowEndUniversity]

Thank you so much for the kind words! Cheers!

[@marcharley6465]

If you want to react to another upbeat Dead Kennedys song, I suggest "Let's lynch the landlord". It features more good bass playing and tuneful but edgy guitar.

[@jasons9564]

Read up on the story behind Pull My Strings. That really embodies everything that DK really was all about. Also, thanks for getting into all the punk stuff. I would have never found your channel without it. Ive been playing bass or drums in punk bands off and on since the early 2000s and its cool to see your insights on everything. Thanks man

[@LowEndUniversity]

I sure will, thanks so much Jason! Really appreciate you!

[@numbrod27]

Winnebago Warrior Riot Forest Fire are great baseline too

[@alextinu8841]

4:35 your bass is official for punk rock use now! 🤭

[@neyrinckaudio1604]

I was fortunate to see them play live twice in the 80s. Before barricades. Pure chaos. Jello was incredible. Too bad they self destructed around money

[@ninadaggett]

Nice video! I’m watching this on Halloween evening. I’m glad you included a bit about the lyrics coz that was interesting. I had/have such a headache so I wasn’t going to practice bass tonight but after going on Patreon then watching this video I think I will! I don’t think I’ve said this before but I love how you analyse the bass and music it makes ME feel smarter and like I know what I’m doing haha. Edit: the thumbnail creeps me out though. I don’t know what it is about shing bright red eyes scare me 😝

[@LowEndUniversity]

Aw, thanks! Thumbnail is just me having a little Halloween fun 😅 I’m so glad they help in that way! Keep it up! 🎸

[@shanesmith2853]

My favorite DK song!

[@erwinschrodinkle7228]

Definitely my favourite DK album. I miss being a teenager in the 1980s, it was excellent.

[@tbx59]

One of my favorite albums period. At this point I wait for what faces dude is going to make when a fun run is coming.

[@GavinHuss]

Another great video!

[@LowEndUniversity]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@andreacoccia6919]

Fav DK album, musically is really a step up from Fresh Fruits and Jello is always spot on with the topics for each song. I also like the Alice Donut version of this track.

[@ThrockmortonJGildersleeve]

Just played this song live 4 days before this video 😊👍 yes the bass carries this whole song , guitar in DK is always fun surfy loose and wild , Love It!

[@youriboulianne]

Glad to see you come back to DK. They certainly loved deconstruction and it's cool you analyzed all that. A Wilhelm Scream needs to get a revisit too. I'm sure you'll love "The King is Dead."

[@bordempunx]

Great video as always! I'm going to once again make the recommendation for Squirtgun so we can get some love for Mass Giorgini on here!

[@jackiespaceman]

For a while DK was the only punk band I ever really listened to because they were the most musically innovative of the classic punk bands

[@theoldmanfrombeyond6851]

Check out Cesspools in Eden. One of my DK favs.

[@captaincrespo3327]

DKs might be the best punk band

[@markmcdiarmid3922]

Might??!!! Undeniably the best

[@jansendwan1221]

They are just beat out by NoMeansNo for me.

[@markmcdiarmid3922]

@@jansendwan1221 !!!.. NMN are actually my favorite band period . Guess I didn't consider them.. probably as they transcend punk

[@greggerypeccary]

Better than Peer Pressure?? /s

[@OldSchlPunk]

Great take on this song! The lyrics are very biting, talking about the 'punks' who were only punks on the weekends or evenings in their basement. Be true to yourself! Godspeed Darren Henley, one hell of a drummer!

[@tayloryoung8336]

So true. This was so much of the early punk ethos. What made DK so great was their willingness to challenge both society at large and the punk scene itself.

[@matthathaway5015]

You’ve already done Totalimmortal, but AFI’s All Hallows EP is all about Halloween and features a cover of The Misfits song Halloween

[@cformont78]

Pleeeeease deep dive this album. I agree with Jello. It's my favorite Dead Kennedys album too!

[@TheMonochromeProject]

I started listening to "The Hook" by the Blue Traveler again, I've never noticed the basseline before, could be interesting to make an analysis of that song 😁

[@regentrex7735]

I’d love to see you do some Zebrahead. Extremely underrated and talented band with some pretty sick bass work

[@strawhousepig]

Jello has also called Frankenchrist his favorite DK album. One thing is for certain, Klaus, Ray, and Peligro played their asses off on Plastic Surgery Disasters. Despite the topics, DK was the epitome of irreverent. As often silly as serious, even mixing the two. Do yourself a favor and learn the lore of their song Pull My Strings. Fun fact: Despite most of the bands catalog being written solely by Jello Biafra he never learned to play an instrument.

[@80sOGRE]

One of the constant musical pillars of Dead Kennedys is the Surf Guitar sound and genre. The following songs have that pre psychedelic Beach boys / Byrds Vocal harmonies AND OR Surf Reverb Guitar AND OR early 60s Surf / surf freakout sub genre song structure. OR occasional use of. Man with the dogs Let's Lynch the Landlord Halloween Moon over Marin Too drunk to f*ck Chicken Farm A growing boy needs his lunch This could be anywhere JockOrama Goons of Hazzard Police truck and Etc.

[@abwartsbanapu5411]

i'd be quite curious to hear what you have to say of some suhumans tracks like 'somebody's mother', 'world aparts' or their monster 17 min song 'from the cradle to the grave' (which inspired nofx to do ' the decline')

[@motionoutoftime]

THIS CALLS FOR A FULL ALBUM REACTION.

[@tylerhunt5578]

I wanna see his reaction to forest fire, it’s one of my favorites on the album with that wacky intro

[@glucosaminecondroitan9135]

My favorite song by them is We've Got A Bigger Problem Now. Its a altenate take or whatever of California Uber Alles. It is super jazzy, kinda mellow and goes to loud and fast. The lyrics are great too.

[@jonathanbarb5516]

Please tell me you're doing Misfits and/or AFI's cover of "Halloween"

[@thehabitat1605]

“Almost falls apart” is hilarious because Ray messed up live constantly, one of my favorite guitarists ever. DK is my favorite punk band.

[@robinthekid1]

Moon over Marin on that album is 🔥🔥

[@deezacharo]

I was listening the DK back in 84 I’m still a big fan

[@gambinante]

The song "Pull my strings" also has a cool bass, check it out.

[@Best..YT..Music..Playlists]

they're songwriting geniuses.

[@ChooseBrian]

You continue to impress brother. This is hands down their best album. RIOT is one of the greatest tunes of all time.

[@LowEndUniversity]

Thanks so much! Looking forward to hearing the rest of this record soon!

[@seanbrando_7456]

In 2003 I jammed this full blast hung over awaking up my at the time/soon to be future girlfriend. I had to be in court at 9 and it was 8:40. I spiked my blue hair and took a shot of vodka to bite the dog back- and went before the judge with a dark circles and a grin. She didn't know I had court and got dragged along. He threw my case out- no jail and we went out for breakfast. She said that was was the day she fell in love with both me and real punk. She had never met someone who gave less of a crap about anything in her life and she loved it. We burned it at both ends and I'm a different person now.....sober and happy. When you hear about "real punks" and nihilism and all that- make no mistake those people exist. I was young and dumb BUT I have no regrets. Great song- great album bro. Make good choices kids................lol.

[@JoneyJefe]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARK!!!! 🐝 🍯 🌶️ 🎸

[@partytimejew]

Jesus christ, mans bass tone is fucking perfect

[@richbirtchman1981]

Really surprised I haven't seen more people recommend Anti-Flag. Chris #2 is amazing!

[@zakk219]

You should do Misfits for Halloween. The original horror punks and one of my favorite bands ever.

[@jessejorgensen3931]

I feel like the dk were the spiritual successor to the Sex Pistols and the clash to a lesser extent. You should do anarchy in the uk it’s got a great bass line finger picking done by Glenn Matlock. It’s the only song on never mind the bollocks that Glenn happens to be on. The rest is the guitar player playing. The pistols have some fun bass lines you have to listen to demos and early recordings to hear them though. Don’t listen to anyone who says Glenn isn’t on the album or Sid was their bass player. Glenn matlock is a fine bass player who wrote some of the greatest punk rock songs ever .

[@gregc6072]

….amen

[@eerolaakkonen773]

Do this album and I'm in for the patreon again.

[@JonnyAnderson-jw4rx]

I hope you come back to this album and play forest fire!!!

[@module79l28]

0:48 - Ah, Wikipedia quotes... I own FFFRV, In God We Trust and Plastic Surgery Disasters and this last one is a "Pop Punk" album musically, compared to the previous two releases. Whoever wrote that on Wikipedia must've been listening to something else.

[@derekcampbell6291]

This manic energy is much closer to DK overall sound than Holiday in Cambodia is. Even on Fresh Fruit, you have songs like Chemical Warfare that is very energetic.

[@brandonfbomb_2327]

Remember, it was over 40 years ago, and these are the bands that created the blueprint

[@HitrisonMusic]

Ayy, my favorite Dead Kennedys song!

[@bruraha]

Gonna keep recommending Fishbone's Party at Ground Zero 😁

[@bushleague3472]

Cool pick, pretty much sounds like The Ramones crossed with Nirvana. Like the concept of using a generic progression and then mangling it, reminds me of "Who Cares?" by Four Year Strong in that sense.

[@stofopdenaald132]

Good choice Jello, my fave too 😁👍

[@chetzar]

Great job. More DKs please. And more Minutemen please

[@DizzyD850]

Klaus is a god and always will be

[@user-Jimbob]

Dead Kennedys - Riot....... TRUST ME CHECK THIS SONG OUT MAN...... It's from the same album it's amazing.... Great! Bass stuff!

[@ssprinklep9107]

Add misfits/AFI's Halloween to the list!

[@worksucksletsdrink6011]

Oi! Bands have some of the best bass lines!!

[@apetitan2936]

You need to do Bleed For Me by them

[@DanHintz]

well paid scientist is the best jam on this record. unmatched velocity and torque.

[@gatorbreath]

Love it! Check out Darker Place by the Koffin Kats!

[@christophs1199]

For the real "Halloween-Experience" there's always Halloween by Helloween 😉. But imho best Basslines of Helloween is within the song "Eagle fly free"

[@308driver]

Dk made my middle school high school tolerable.... Find truth still in their music. Jello is nuts. But love him still ...

[@jessejorgensen3931]

Listen to more dk. This isn’t a departure of their sound. E.b. Ray has always had a surf rock sound. I had the same problem with jello and his voice but you learn to love it. I always thought he sounded like the singer of the b52s if he were in a punk band. The misfits do a great song called Halloween but you’re not going to find anything but a root note going dododododo. Still the misfits rock!

[@LowEndUniversity]

Hahaha wow, B52s parallel is wild. I can see that!

[@steveo6661]

You gotta check out Got The Time by Anthrax.. they managed to throw together a pretty perfect punk song with a pretty sweet yet confusing little bass solo

[@LowEndUniversity]

Coming real soon!

[@donalucino7401]

for the algo: Happy Halloween

[@bassplayer2011ify]

R.I.P D.H. Peligro

[@ryansilvan2927]

Riot the unbeatable high!

[@sagetim]

Type O for Halloween!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@LowEndUniversity]

Been on the list for awhile, just unsure what song yet! I've never listened to them, but have heard the name.

[@ronroidz2925]

@@LowEndUniversity so many good ones, but Black No1 is probably one of their most popular ones and also fitting for halloween. And it has an iconic bassline!

[@sagetim]

@@LowEndUniversity Black #1 is the most popular. Bass line does not move much but is a good song. Cinnamon Girl bass line changes a bit and is a cover. get ready for some guitar distortion

[@nexspectovos]

​@@LowEndUniversity All Hallows Eve

[@geengeklooi]

Thank u sir can i have another one

[@LowEndUniversity]

Yes you can

[@leokerr9162]

I'll always show up for Jello and Flouride.

[@joshbagby3784]

You should check out being being cocktail!!!!

[@DanHintz]

the dead kennedys are essentially a surf band.

[@mranderson7988]

Where do we suggest songs?

[@baadermeinhof9787]

Klaus Fluoride played funk/jazz bass before joining Dead Kennedy's.

[@SchtinkFinga]

Do a video on their song called forest fire…they have a hilarious video for it where they’re obviously not playing the notes right. Plus Jello is wearing nothing but tighty whities. Hilarious

[@MST3Killa]

Anyone else curious to see a reaction to "We've Got a Bigger Problem Now" just for something very, very different?