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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

Released
October 1985
Recorded
May and July 1985
Studio
Hyde St. Studios, San Francisco
Genre
Punk rockpost-punkhardcore punk
Length
45:12
Label
Alternative Tentacles
Producer
Jello Biafra

Tables

Professional ratings · Critical reception
Source
Source
Review scores
Source
Review scores
Rating
AllMusic
AllMusic
Review scores
AllMusic
Review scores
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music
Review scores
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music
Review scores
MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide
MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide
Review scores
MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide
Review scores
The Rolling Stone Album Guide
The Rolling Stone Album Guide
Review scores
The Rolling Stone Album Guide
Review scores
Spin Alternative Record Guide
Spin Alternative Record Guide
Review scores
Spin Alternative Record Guide
Review scores
5/10
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
· Charts
UK Independent Albums (OCC)
UK Independent Albums (OCC)
Chart (1985)
UK Independent Albums (OCC)
Peakposition
1
Chart (1985)
Peakposition
UK Independent Albums (OCC)
1
· Certifications
United Kingdom (BPI)
United Kingdom (BPI)
Region
United Kingdom (BPI)
Certification
Silver
Certified units/sales
60,000^
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
Region
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
Region
Certification
Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)
Silver
60,000^
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References

  1. AllMusic
    https://www.allmusic.com/artist/dead-kennedys-mn0000786613/biography
  2. Spin
  3. Wishnia, Steven. "Of Punk and Pornography: Rockin' With the First Amendment". The Nation. October 24, 1987.
  4. Magnet Magazine
    http://www.magnetmagazine.com/2012/03/22/hidden-gems-dead-kennedys-frankenchrist/
  5. "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
  6. "Frankenchrist - Dead Kennedys | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic"
    https://www.allmusic.com/album/mw0000650058
  7. The Encyclopedia of Popular Music
  8. MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide
  9. The Rolling Stone Album Guide
  10. Spin Alternative Record Guide
  11. Trouser Press
    https://trouserpress.com/reviews/dead-kennedys/
  12. Spin
  13. Indie Hits 1980-1989
    https://web.archive.org/web/20110605132747/http://www.cherryred.co.uk/books/indiehits/d.htm
  14. "British album certifications – Dead Kennedys – Frankenchrist"
    https://www.bpi.co.uk/award/2376-476-2
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