Alternative Tentacles Needs You

[PaddingtonFrisk]

Hey Newgrounders. I realize I never post here and you don’t know me. I am not an organization representative of any sort. I just feel I should bring up a topic that needs some attention…

As some of you may be aware, former Dead Kennedys front man Jello Biafra (Eric Boucher) and his record label Alternative Tentacles have just lost a grueling lawsuit over marketing rights of Dead Kennedys albums/merchandise to the other three band members.

Since Dead Kennedys emergence to the punk scene in the late 1970’s, Jello has kept close guard on the rights of the band being sure to always practice the extreme liberalism that they preached in their music. Alternative Tentacles, founded by Biafra in 1979, has preserved its punk rock integrity marketing Dead Kennedys selectively not to become another hypocrite to sell-out to dominate corporate businesses. Biafra’s constant battle over the years previously led him into court over H. R. Giger artwork used in the album "Frankenchrist". The case challenged Biafra and Dead Kennedys on obscenity violations ultimately resulting in the removal of the artwork completely from the album. Other instances Biafra has fought to keep the name of DK clean were declining Levi’s Jeans to use a Kennedys song in a commercial, as well as declining from keeping the story of the Dead Kennedys "Frankenchrist" Obscenity Trial from being turned into a big-budget Hollywood movie.

The unfortunate verdict in the latest case has handed the rights into the hands of the former members who have since produced a live album on a separate label (‘Decay Music’) and walked off with the rest of AT’s stock of Kennedys albums. Other DK records are now being released under the label ‘Industrial Strength’, and in England under another label ‘Plastic Head’ who have notably changed Biafra’s name on the credits of the songs he wrote. Biafra, who has claimed he rightfully compensated the other three members on royalties, has now been shut out of any money flow of the new labels’ profits.

Just as Jello has stated in his most recent newsletter, as a fan I must reiterate by discouraging any people who may want to purchase Dead Kennedys albums released on these new record labels. Personally, I feel that Jello has fought hard to keep the name of the band true to their ethics and it is a pity to see DK turned into another T-shirt whore.

In light of the recent trial, Alternative Tentacles remains strong. Biafra and AT continue to fight for the rights over Dead Kennedys but they need help. I am not a spokesman for Biafra nor an AT employee. I visit Newgrounds religiously just like a good majority of you (a site, like many, which owes a lot to Biafra/AT on their lifelong battle to fight censorship and the PMRC). I’m just a person who believes that someone who has fought long and hard to maintain their principles against an overbearing system, and has brought invaluable art to our society should be supported in a time of need. You don’t necessarily need to contribute money, just express your support for Alternative Tentacles if you would like.

If you want to voice your opinion directly you can write to:

Alternative Tentacles
P.O. Box 419092
San Francisco, CA 94141-9092

or e-mail [e-mail]

If you would like to read up on the most recent updates, you can visit Alternative Tentacles Legal Defense Fund Page at:

http://www.alternativetentacles.com/page.php?page=atlegalfund

Thanks.

[ToonHole]

At 7/12/01 09:55 PM, PaddingtonFrisk wrote: Really cool shit.

Thanks bro, it's people like you that spread the word. I knew Jello was in trouble, but I didn't think it was this bad.

So the other members are selling-out eh?

I'm torn, because I love the Dead Kennedys and want all the records they produce... but then again, for what they did... ack. Bad situation.

Time to look for money under cushins to send to Biafra. Poor guy...

[Freakapotimus]

At 7/13/01 06:33 AM, Stoopid wrote: Time to look for money under cushins to send to Biafra. Poor guy...

Sounds like a plan... I want to read up more about this. Thanks for the info.

[reddeadrevolver]

Thanks for the information. I remember the court case that happened not too long ago when the other members were suing Jello Biafra for something stupid that I don't remember. I think he should run for mayor again.

[Timisoara]

I don't know about you guys but It's rampage time if I hear a Dead Kennedys song being used in some car commerical. Fuckin A I'm tired of this band sell-out crap.

[ToonHole]

At 7/13/01 05:51 PM, Skewthat wrote: I don't know about you guys but It's rampage time if I hear a Dead Kennedys song being used in some car commerical. Fuckin A I'm tired of this band sell-out crap.

i heard a section of "Holiday in Cambodia" on a TV commercial a while back... I was dissapointed. Everyone was so happy in the commercial.

[ToonHole]

At 7/13/01 11:15 AM, Freakapotimus wrote: Sounds like a plan... I want to read up more about this. Thanks for the info.

I was thinking we could start a little Newgrounds fund for Jello Biafra... but we don't live to close to each other, so we'd spend more money on shipping it to each other than to Jello.

Oh well. It'd be nice to at least send him a little money. Maybe I'll draw a picture and send it to him too. I hope he doesn't get depressed or do something stupid like kill himself like most punk band members do. Poor, poor Darby...

[shorbe]

Don't advertise here. You think your cause is a great one, but then again, doesn't everybody?

Next thing we know, McDonald's is getting its marketing gurus to post here...

Keep this space commercial free.

shorbe

[pyroarchy]

At 7/15/01 08:05 AM, shorbe wrote: Don't advertise here. You think your cause is a great one, but then again, doesn't everybody?

Next thing we know, McDonald's is getting its marketing gurus to post here...

Keep this space commercial free.

shorbe

Everyone here has a right to post a stupid post i belive, but this is people we are talking about, Jello has done nothing but try to free up music limiting laws and censorship crap laws, i truly belive he has intentions of only to help the music scene and society, alternative records is a record company which is one of a few record companys that stand up for what they truley belive in, their not some huge corporate company with monopolys, and trying to make nothing but money or stylistic popularity, jeesh I feel for jello.