Frankenchrist
Updated: 12/20/2025, 1:40:14 PM Wikipedia source
Frankenchrist is the third album by the American hardcore punk band Dead Kennedys, released in 1985 on Alternative Tentacles. The album is an example of the progressive, psychedelic side of Dead Kennedys' musical personality. The spaghetti Western soundtrack influence is noticeable in the horn parts and in East Bay Ray's guitar work. Frankenchrist is also noted for its relative lack of traditionally "hardcore" material, with most of the tracks being slower and longer than the majority of other Dead Kennedys songs. "M.T.V. − Get off the Air" is notable for its pointed attack on the music establishment and "Stars and Stripes of Corruption" for its exegesis of vocalist Jello Biafra's political philosophies.
Infobox
Tables
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic | |
| The Encyclopedia of Popular Music | |
| MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide | |
| The Rolling Stone Album Guide | |
| Spin Alternative Record Guide | 5/10 |
| Chart (1985) | Peakposition |
| UK Independent Albums (OCC) | 1 |
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
| United Kingdom (BPI) | Silver | 60,000^ |
| ^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. | ||
References
- AllMusichttps://www.allmusic.com/artist/dead-kennedys-mn0000786613/biography
- Spin
- Wishnia, Steven. "Of Punk and Pornography: Rockin' With the First Amendment". The Nation. October 24, 1987.
- Magnet Magazinehttp://www.magnetmagazine.com/2012/03/22/hidden-gems-dead-kennedys-frankenchrist/
- "Album Cover Prompts Suit From Shriners"https://web.archive.org/web/20151128065359/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1986-10-03/news/8602280346_1_four-shriners-record-store-album
- "Frankenchrist - Dead Kennedys | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic"https://www.allmusic.com/album/mw0000650058
- The Encyclopedia of Popular Music
- MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide
- The Rolling Stone Album Guide
- Spin Alternative Record Guide
- Trouser Presshttps://trouserpress.com/reviews/dead-kennedys/
- Spin
- Indie Hits 1980-1989https://web.archive.org/web/20110605132747/http://www.cherryred.co.uk/books/indiehits/d.htm
- "British album certifications – Dead Kennedys – Frankenchrist"https://www.bpi.co.uk/award/2376-476-2