I`m not going to try to unravel the problems but it all seems to come down to one thing: money. And that`s not very punk, is it? For the fans it`s hard. Jello Biafra was without a doubt the most important Dead Kennedy. Both artistically and ideologically he seemed to be the main man. A lot of people think the band shouldn`t have done the tour without him.

On the other hand: bands do split up and usually not in the nicest of ways. And for many fans it`s the first chance to see the band live. So, with mixed feelings I entered the main hall of De Melkweg (The Milky Way) in Amsterdam to see one of the most important punk bands ever with their new lead singer Brandon Cruz (Ex-Dr. Know)

The band come up and after a short drum intro they blast off into Looking Forward To Death. Hmm, not bad for a band that`s been accused of being a Karaoke show. Most of the fans; who did show up (it`s completely sold out), didn`t hesitate. They`re singing along, fists and fingers are up in the air and there`s an instant pit that would make a lot of bands jealous.

Back in the eighties the Dead Kennedys weren`t the tightest of bands; and they still aren`t. Especially guitarist East Bay Ray has a tendency to play with a fluctuating rhythm. But they rock harder than most hardcore wannabes of today. More important is the question whether singer Cruz is up to scratch. Luckily he doesn`t try to sound like Jello Biafra. Cruz`s voice is lower and not as sneering. It fits the music though.

Especially in the faster songs there`s no problem. During the slower, more melodic songs like Moon Over Marin his limitations as a singer emerge. Although he apologizes for being hoarse because of a cold I believe long notes just aren`t his thing.

The band are having fun on stage. Bass player Klaus Floride`s dry humor is infectious and a welcome contrast to the aggressive music and serious lyrics. The only remark about the Biafra situation comes from him: `Thanks for thinking for yourselves and showing up`.

East Bay Ray moves (and looks) like he`s playing in The Shadows swinging from side to side the way it was hip in the sixties. Cruz is all over the stage and makes the people up front sing along. Again he doesn`t try to copy Biafra who`s renowned for his political rants in between songs. He does his own thing; and it works.

The band welcomes stage divers with a smile and only now and then the security kindly urge the jumpers to leave the stage. Half way the gig a couple of people try to steal the set list. A fun cat and mouse game develops between the security and the two fans. It`s won by the latter and they proudly show the trophy to their friends.

Meanwhile the Dead Kennedys fling one classic after another into the eager crowd. California Uber Alles, Holiday In Cambodia, Nazi Punks Fuck Off you name them. Further back, where the people who had their doubts are standing, there`s more and more enthusiasm as well. In the end the band has to come back twice because the people just don`t leave and the DJ refuses to start a record. A great end to a memorable night.

Whether they should have played without Biafra or not; I`m still not sure. They were very important to the development of my personal taste in music and therefore I`m glad I`ve seen them. I mean, it`s as close to the original thing as it can get. And any band that cause gooseflesh on my arms and raise the hair in my neck are a good band. That means Dead Kennedys with Brendon Cruz are a damn good band. Still, it`s kind of like if the Beatles would have continued without John Lennon. And because I`m too young to have seen them with Biafra I`ll always wonder what it would have been like if……

Pics by Cole Smith, taken from www.deadkennedys.com

(Review & Pics: Walter de Korver)