The DK's formed in San Francisco in 1978, and split up after the release of Bedtime For Democracy (1986). Ray, Klaus Fluoride, and D.H. Peligro got back together in 2001, and have performed with various singers for the past two decades.
In the 1990's, Ray performed and recorded with Skrapyard, Frenchy, Candyass, and Pearl Harbour. Ray was also part of Jumbo Shrimp, Klaus Flouride's surf instrumental group. Since the Dead Kennedys reunited, Ray has guested with Amanda Palmer, Hed P.E., Cell Block 5, Kore Kosmou, Prime Suspect, David Alpha, The Balboas, and The Screaming Bloody Marys.
In 2009, East Bay Ray released a solo album. In 2011 he debuted a band called The Killer Smiles, whose singer Skip (formerly of the Wynona Riders) also serves as the DK's current frontman.
Today we have a selection of songs from a three decade career in music: punk, surf, lounge, jazz, rockabilly, garage rock, psychedelia, and more. Let's salute Ray Pepperell, gnarly guitarist from the East Bay!
The Est-Bay of East Bay Ray:
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Hi Jonder, thanx for this. DK were my favorite band way back in a high school. I've listened "Strange Fruit..." six or seven times a day and knew every note of Mr. Ray's guitar. Always argued with my HM friends who's better Ray or Ritchie Blackmore. Of cours Ray's better, ya know. Favorite solos are on When "Ya Get Drafted", "Let's Lynch The Landlord", killer psychedelic style on "Holiday In Cambodia", riff on Moon Over Marin and whole playin' on "Plastic Surgery" is a fuckin' psych riot! Gonna check his later stuff. Cheers!
DeleteI played in the Models with Ray.....lol. We did Sunshine of Your Love............somewhere in my stuff I have a tape. If anyone else has a copy rock on.
Delete5GW -- I would love to hear that take on "Sunshine Of Your Love"! You have met more than one of my guitar heroes (including Helios Creed).
DeleteMr. Eliminator -- it was hard to "eliminate" some of the DK's classics from this compilation, especially "Moon Over Marin" and a lot of the songs on the Plastic Surgery LP. I listened to that first album a lot in high school, and didn't realize until many years later that "Landlord" is a clever rewrite of "Sister Anne" by the MC5.
In interviews, Ray has mentioned that Jello didn't like the "Mutiny On The Bay" live compilation. I think Ray chose performances that show off his guitar virtuosity (rather than Jello's verbosity), and he mixed the instruments LOUD. Good for him! Ray also said that Jello nixed "Marin" as a single, and "Police Truck" was left off the first LP.
DKs were a high school favorite of mine as well and I'm also unfamiliar with Mr. Ray's later work here so this will be another tasty music history lesson. Thanks for the schoolin' Jonder!
DeleteThanks for this! I've always liked his style!!
ReplyDeleteMe too! It's cool to hear that distinctive style in other genres such as surf and jazz. Ray was one of three guitarists in the band Jumbo Shrimp, but it's not hard to tell when he's playing lead (although I wonder who snuck in the Hendrix quote).
DeleteI tried to find something to include from his solo album "Labyrinth", but it sounds like it's mostly home demos and ideas rather than fleshed out songs. And the Skrapyard album would have been better with a singer who wasn't trying to sound like Anthony from RHCP.
Bravo! I'll check this out from the perspective of a PEARL HARBOR fan, rather than a Dead Kennedys fan, although "Too Drunk To F*ck" is an instant classic, in my opinion. (Evan Johns did a GREAT version on the Alternative Tentacles tribute album).
ReplyDeleteJello's voice can grate on a listener after awhile, so it's nice to hear Ray backing other singers. It was probably a nice change for him too -- Pearl is easier on the eyes and the ears!
DeletePearl Harbour's album "Here Comes Trouble" was reissued this year by Die Laughing Records. It's on Spotify, iTunes, Amazon, and Tidal. Here's what Ms. Harbour had to say:
”Originally recorded in 1995, Here Comes Trouble features my San Francisco band: East Bay Ray, Stinky Le Pew, Lee Vilensky and Mike Hunter. We dedicated this album to original bass player Buck Naked, who was killed in 1992. We wrote most of the songs together and enjoyed 6 years of playing the West Coast circuit. If you like old school rock & roll, you should give Here Comes Trouble a listen. It’s 13 fun filled tracks with humorous lyrics about the usual juvenile delinquent stuff that we still find amusing. I love this album! It’s great to dance to. Try it, you’ll like it!”
Thanks for these. kind sir. EB Ray is one of my favorite. Will be great to hear his versatility.
ReplyDeleteHi Jonder, nice blog! Looking forward to following you and checking out the archives. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteWelcome to our 12th follower! Hope you find something you like, and let us know if any links have expired.
DeleteJon: We have followers?
ReplyDeleteThank you...I always thought he was "more" than a punk guitarist.
ReplyDeleteThanks a bunch.. looking forward to this one. Be Well.
ReplyDeleteThis looks good...cheers Jonder.
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