Dead Kennedys's 1981 Concert History

Often considered one of the most influential punk bands in history, Dead Kennedys performed its first show on July 19, 1978 at Baduhay Gardens in San Franciso. The band became a Bay Area sensation and in 1980 was invited to perform at the Bay Area Music Awards. After releasing four studio albums and one EP, the band broke up in 1986. In 2001, the band reunited with drummer D. H. Peligro, bassist Klaus Flouride, and guitarist East Bay Ray all returning. Brandon Cruz replaced Jelly Biafra as lead vocalist. Cruz was then replaced by Jeff Penalty in 2003 who was, in turn, was replaced by Ron "Skip" Greer in 2008. Except for a brief leave of absence between 2008 and 2009, Peligro remained with the band until his death in 2022 while East Bay Ray and Flouride remain the only original members still performing with the Dead Kennedys.

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Dead Kennedys had 65 concerts in 1981

Date Concert Venue Location
Dec 31, 1981
Dead Kennedys
  Setlists
The Factory San Francisco, California, United States
Dec 24, 1981
Dead Kennedys Bard's Apollo Los Angeles, California, United States
Dec 14, 1981
Dead Kennedys Mabuhay Gardens San Francisco, California, United States
Dec 04, 1981
Dead Kennedys The Fillmore San Francisco, California, United States
Oct 21, 1981
Dead Kennedys

European Tour

Bains-Douche Paris, Île-de-France, France
Oct 20, 1981
Dead Kennedys

European Tour

Bains-Douche Paris, Île-de-France, France
Oct 19, 1981
Dead Kennedys

European Tour

Underground Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
Oct 18, 1981
Dead Kennedys

European Tour

Underground Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
Oct 17, 1981
Dead Kennedys The Concert Hall Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Oct 16, 1981
Dead Kennedys

European Tour

Kisasuoja Saarijärvi, Finland
Oct 14, 1981
Dead Kennedys

European Tour

  Setlists
Tavastia Helsinki, Uusimaa, Finland
Oct 12, 1981
Dead Kennedys

European Tour

  Setlists
Arena Wien Vienna, Vienna, Austria
Oct 10, 1981
Dead Kennedys

European Tour

  Setlists
Palasport Gorizia, Friuli Venezia Giulia, Italy
Oct 09, 1981
Dead Kennedys
  Videos   Setlists
Club Quasar Perugia, Umbria, Italy
Oct 08, 1981
Dead Kennedys

European Tour

Much More Club Rome, Latium, Italy
Oct 04, 1981
Dead Kennedys / DOA / Anti-Nowhere League
  Photos   Setlists
Lyceum London, England, United Kingdom
Oct 02, 1981
Dead Kennedys / Drongos For Europe

Dead Kennedys

  Setlists
Imperial Cinema Moseley Birmingham, England, United Kingdom
Oct 01, 1981
Dead Kennedys The Mayflower Manchester, England, United Kingdom
Show Duplicate for Oct 01, 1981
Sep 30, 1981
Dead Kennedys / Mayhem
  Setlists
Royal Court Theatre Liverpool, England, United Kingdom
Sep 29, 1981
Dead Kennedys / Threats Tiffany's Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom

Videos from 1981 View All 1981 Videos

Dead Kennedys
Oct 9, 1981
 Perugia, Umbria, Italy
  Embedded by acrostico

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Photos from 1981 View All 1981 Photos

Dead Kennedys / DOA / Anti-Nowhere League on Oct 4, 1981 [635-small]

Dead Kennedys / DOA / Anti-Nowhere League
Oct 4, 1981
 London, England, United Kingdom
  Uploaded by Rut

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Dead Kennedys / DOA / Anti-Nowhere League on Oct 4, 1981 [713-small]

Dead Kennedys / DOA / Anti-Nowhere League
Oct 4, 1981
 London, England, United Kingdom
  Uploaded by Rut

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Dead Kennedys / Circle Jerks / Mission Of Burma on Sep 6, 1981 [769-small]

Dead Kennedys / Circle Jerks / Mission Of Burma
Sep 6, 1981
 Los Angeles, California, United States
  Uploaded by stephenhuerta

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The Clash / Dead Kennedys / Hi-school Band on Jun 13, 1981 [550-small]

The Clash / Dead Kennedys / Hi-school Band
Jun 13, 1981
 New York, New York, United States
  Uploaded by zimtrim

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Dead Kennedys / Flipper / Plugz on Mar 28, 1981 [854-small]

Dead Kennedys / Flipper / Plugz
Mar 28, 1981
 West Hollywood, California, United States
  Uploaded by stephenhuerta

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Dead Kennedys / Flipper / Plugz on Mar 28, 1981 [855-small]

Dead Kennedys / Flipper / Plugz
Mar 28, 1981
 West Hollywood, California, United States
  Uploaded by stephenhuerta

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Dead Kennedys / Flipper / Plugz on Mar 28, 1981 [856-small]

Dead Kennedys / Flipper / Plugz
Mar 28, 1981
 West Hollywood, California, United States
  Uploaded by stephenhuerta

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Genres:

Punk
Alternative Rock
Hardcore
Hardcore Punk
Punk Rock
Skate Punk
Proto-Punk
Political
Early Us Punk
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Latest Setlist (09/27/2025):

Play YouTube Playlist
  1. The Good, the Bad and the Ugly Theme
  2. Forward to Death
  3. Winnebago Warrior
  4. Police Truck
  5. Buzzbomb
  6. Let's Lynch the Landlord
  7. Jock-O-Rama
  8. Kill the Poor
  9. MP3 Get Off the Web
  10. Too Drunk to Fuck
  11. Moon Over Marin
  12. Nazi Punks Fuck Off
  13. California Über Alles
  14. Bleed for Me
  15. Viva Las Vegas
  16. Holiday in Cambodia
  17. Chemical Warfare

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Concerts Per Year:

2026 2 concerts
2025 21 concerts
2024 4 concerts
2023 19 concerts
2022 34 concerts
2021 12 concerts
2020 6 concerts
2019 34 concerts
2018 33 concerts
2017 39 concerts
2016 38 concerts
2015 25 concerts
2014 28 concerts
2013 21 concerts
2012 17 concerts
2011 13 concerts
2010 14 concerts
2009 1 concert
2008 11 concerts
2006 16 concerts
2005 19 concerts
2004 15 concerts
2003 33 concerts
2002 92 concerts
2001 19 concerts
1995 2 concerts
1986 4 concerts
1985 63 concerts
1984 43 concerts
1983 75 concerts
1982 59 concerts
1981 65 concerts
1980 46 concerts
1979 42 concerts
1978 28 concerts
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