Jello Biafra is an American singer, songwriter, spoken word artist, poet, and political activist. He is best known as the lead vocalist and songwriter for the San Francisco punk rock band Dead Kennedys. After the band split up in 1986, Biafra continued to collaborate and record with other artists including D.O.A., NoMeansNo and his own independent record label Alternative Tentacles. Biafra is a staunch advocate for freedom of speech and is an active participant in the anti-globalization movement. He is also an outspoken critic of the two-party political system in the United States, advocating for what he calls a “Third Party Politics”.
| Name | Jello Biafra |
| Born | June 17, 1958 |
| Genre | Punk rock, spoken word |
| Instruments | Vocals, keyboards |
| Years active | 1977–present |
| Labels | Alternative Tentacles, Inc., Virgin Records, Manifesto Records |
10 Best Jello Biafra Quotes
1.
“So, it’s very hard to stay angry enough to be a part of the angry revolution and not get so angry that you become a self-defeating joke or a self-defeating parody.”
– Jello Biafra, from Rolling Stone
2.
“The more I think about it, the more I’m convinced that punk rock was a kind of music of the dispossessed, and the ones who were able to make something out of it probably weren’t really that dispossessed in the first place.”
– Jello Biafra, from Interview Magazine
3.
“The only punk rock is good punk rock.”
– Jello Biafra, from YouTube
4.
“Reality is the most brutal of teachers.”
– Jello Biafra, from YouTube
5.
“There are still a lot of people who don’t want to face the truth, and I think that’s why punk rock is still necessary.”
– Jello Biafra, from YouTube
6.
“If you don’t know what the answers are, it’s always good to ask questions.”
– Jello Biafra, from YouTube
7.
“I think punk rock has always been a reaction to the status quo, and the status quo keeps changing, so punk rock has to keep changing.”
– Jello Biafra, from YouTube
8.
“The only way to make a difference is to take action, whether it’s through art or music or whatever you’re good at.”
– Jello Biafra, from YouTube
9.
“If it’s not fun, it’s not punk rock.”
– Jello Biafra, from YouTube
10.
“Punk rock is about being creative, not conforming.”
– Jello Biafra, from YouTube
6 Jello Biafra Quotes About The Dead Kennedys
“I’m really proud of what we did in the Dead Kennedys. We set a standard. We showed it was possible to really stand your ground and fight the corporate rock machine on every level.”
– Jello Biafra, from Rolling Stone
“The Dead Kennedys were the first punk rock band to get our own lawyer and our own accountant. We were the first punk rock band to take on censorship and win.”
– Jello Biafra, from Punk News
“I think the Dead Kennedys were the first punk rock band to really become a political force in our own right.”
– Jello Biafra, from Punk News
“Dead Kennedys made a lot of records with a lot of punk songs, but we also had a lot of non-punk songs, and variety is the spice of life.”
– Jello Biafra, from Rolling Stone
“Dead Kennedys were one of the first punk bands to take on the government and the corporations. We were the first punk band to take on the government and win in court.”
– Jello Biafra, from Punk News
“The Dead Kennedys were the first punk band to really prove that you could make money playing punk music without compromising your artistic integrity.”
– Jello Biafra, from Rolling Stone
8 Inspirational Jello Biafra Quotes
“It’s not enough to know what you don’t like—you have to know what you do like and why.”
– Jello Biafra, from Noisey
“You have to be careful if you’re going to be an agitator, that you don’t become what you’re fighting against.”
– Jello Biafra, from HuffPost
“You have to have a sense of humor to be a revolutionary.”
– Jello Biafra, from HuffPost
“Life is too short to waste your time being afraid of what other people are going to say.”
– Jello Biafra, from The Telegraph
“You have to keep fighting for what you believe in.”
– Jello Biafra, from HuffPost
“Make your life a living example of what you believe in.”
– Jello Biafra, from Paste Magazine
“The only way to make lasting positive change is to keep going, no matter what.”
– Jello Biafra, from The Telegraph
“Revolution is an act of love.”
– Jello Biafra, from Paste Magazine
8 Famous Jello Biafra Quotes
“I often think that if people could step outside themselves and look at the world objectively, they would be a lot less angry and a lot less divided.”
– Jello Biafra, from NPR
“I think the key is to treat every day like it’s your last. Don’t hoard things up for some later date.”
– Jello Biafra, from Bmore Art
“I think the best way to help the world is to help yourself.”
– Jello Biafra, from Bmore Art
“The main thing is to stay informed, stay alive, and never give up.”
– Jello Biafra, from LA Weekly
“It’s not enough to be against something. You’ve got to be for something better.”
– Jello Biafra, from Vice
“People who think they can make a difference are the people who do make a difference.”
– Jello Biafra, from Vice
“In the end, I think it all comes down to making the world a better place to live, and a better place to be alive.”
– Jello Biafra, from Hippocampus Magazine
“[Punk] was about being independent, about coming up with your own ideas and doing it yourself.”
– Jello Biafra, from Hippocampus Magazine
7 Jello Biafra Quotes About Love
“I’m just a great believer in love.”
– Jello Biafra, from The Guardian
“Love is the ultimate revolution.”
– Jello Biafra, from The Huffington Post
“Love is the only thing that matters in the end.”
– Jello Biafra, from The Guardian
“It’s all about the love in the end.”
– Jello Biafra, from The Huffington Post
“Love is still the ultimate revolutionary act.”
– Jello Biafra, from The Huffington Post
“The punk movement was all about love.”
– Jello Biafra, from The Huffington Post
“Love is still the most powerful force in the universe.”
– Jello Biafra, from The Guardian
6 Jello Biafra Quotes About Life
“Life is too short to be bored.”
– Jello Biafra, from YouTube
“Persevere, don’t give up, and don’t just settle for the way things are.”
– Jello Biafra, from YouTube
“I’ve tried to bring this into my life, and it’s served me well. Don’t let anyone or anything limit you.”
– Jello Biafra, from YouTube
“I don’t want to be an old bitter person, I want to be an old wise person.”
– Jello Biafra, from YouTube
“You don’t have to settle for a life of mediocrity. You can strive for something better.”
– Jello Biafra, from YouTube
“I’m always trying to learn and grow, because life is too short not to.”
– Jello Biafra, from YouTube
5 Quotes About Jello Biafra
“Jello Biafra is one of the most influential punk rockers of all time. He was the lead singer of the legendary punk band Dead Kennedys and is also an outspoken political activist.”
– Joel Cunningham, from Thoughtco
“Jello Biafra has become an icon for the punk scene, not only in the United States but around the world. He is a powerful voice for freedom of speech and other causes, and his presence and debate skills have been instrumental in the punk movement.”
– Chuck Pappas, from Ranker
“Jello Biafra is a musician, anarchist, and political activist, best known for his work with the band Dead Kennedys. His unique style of punk rock combined with his outspoken views on politics and social issues made him an icon of the punk movement.”
– Unknown, from Britannica
“Jello Biafra is an iconic figure in punk rock, and his influence goes far beyond his time with the Dead Kennedys. He has been an outspoken advocate for freedom of speech, and his work with the Alternative Tentacles independent record label has helped to shape the punk scene.”
– Unknown, from AllMusic
“Biafra is an outspoken political activist, often speaking out against censorship and advocating for freedom of speech. His unique style of punk rock, combined with his witty and often satirical lyrics, has made him an icon of the punk movement.”
– Unknown, from Biography
Interview with Jello Biafra
Frequently Asked Questions About Jello Biafra
1. What inspired Jello Biafra to become a musician and political activist?
Jello Biafra has been a passionate musician and political activist for decades. He has been a strong advocate for radical social change and has made a name for himself in the punk rock world. His music and lyrics have been a source of inspiration to many, and he has been a powerful voice in the struggle for social justice.
But what inspired him to become a musician and political activist in the first place? Here are some of the main influences that shaped Jello Biafra’s career:
- The Vietnam War- The horrors of the Vietnam War were a major influence on Biafra’s work. He was appalled by the atrocities committed by the US and its allies, and this inspired him to use his music to speak out against war and injustice.
- The Punk Scene- As an avid fan of punk rock, Biafra was drawn to the DIY ethos of punk and its anti-establishment attitude. He saw punk as a way to express his feelings about the world, and he embraced the style as a vehicle for his activism.
- Political Activism- Biafra was inspired by the radical social movements of the time, such as the civil rights movement and the anti-war movement. He saw the power of collective action to create real change, and he wanted to use his music to further these causes.
- The Beat Generation- Another major influence on Biafra was the Beat Generation, a group of writers and artists who rejected mainstream culture and embraced a more bohemian lifestyle. Biafra was drawn to the Beat Generation’s rebellious spirit and its willingness to challenge the status quo.
These are some of the key influences that inspired Jello Biafra to become a musician and political activist. His passion and commitment to the causes he believed in have been a source of inspiration to many, and his music continues to be a powerful voice in the struggle for social justice.
2. What are some of the most notable Jello Biafra quotes?
Jello Biafra is an American political activist and punk rock icon, best known as the former lead singer of Dead Kennedys. He is also a spoken word artist, poet and all-around provocateur, who has been an outspoken critic of the status quo for decades. Here are some of his most memorable quotes:
- “The opposite of talking isn’t listening. The opposite of talking is waiting.”
- “Censorship is telling a man he can’t have a steak just because a baby can’t chew it.”
- “The only good bureaucrat is one with a pistol at his head. Put it in his hand and it’s good-bye to the Bill of Rights.”
- “The most dangerous man in America is the man who has nothing left to lose.”
- “The one thing that corrupts and enfeebles all others is money.”
- “The only way to make a difference is to break the rules.”
- “The surest way to corrupt a youth is to instruct him to hold in higher esteem those who think alike than those who think differently.”
- “The only real revolutionary is one who is willing to stand up and be counted.”
3. What is the origin of Jello Biafra’s stage name?
Jello Biafra’s stage name is derived from the following sources:
- The Jello brand pudding snack, which Biafra liked as a child.
- The Biafra region of Nigeria, which was the site of a civil war in the late 1960s.
- The phrase “Let them eat Jello”, which was a spoof of the famous quote attributed to Marie Antoinette.
4. What social and political causes has Jello Biafra advocated for throughout his career?
Throughout his career, Jello Biafra has been a vocal and active advocate for a wide range of social and political causes, many of which are closely tied to the punk rock scene. He has been particularly outspoken in his support of freedom of speech, progressive politics, and civil liberties. Here are some of the causes he has advocated for:
- Freedom of Speech
- Civil Liberties
- Progressive Politics
- Environmental Protection
- Animal Rights
- LGBTQ Rights
- Anti-Corporate Monopolies
- Rights for the Working Class
- Anti-War Activism
Jello Biafra has always been a staunch supporter of the DIY punk scene, often playing benefit shows for various causes. He has also done extensive work as an activist and advocate, speaking out on issues that are often overlooked in the mainstream.
5. What has been Jello Biafra’s most impactful contribution to music and activism?
Jello Biafra has been an influential figure in both music and activism for over four decades. He has made a lasting impact through his work with the legendary punk band Dead Kennedys, his many spoken word albums, and his activism in the punk, alternative, and underground music scenes. His most impactful contributions to music and activism have been:
- Founding the punk band Dead Kennedys in 1978 and releasing several albums that have become classic punk staples.
- Releasing several spoken word albums that tackled subjects such as censorship, environmentalism, corporate greed, and media manipulation.
- Organizing and performing at benefit concerts to raise money and awareness for causes such as animal rights and environmental protection.
- Leading the “Maximum Rocknroll” radio show from 1993 to 2001 and championing emerging punk and alternative music.
- Suing the California State Legislature for criminalizing the sale of Dead Kennedys albums in 1998, leading to a landmark ruling that upheld the First Amendment rights of punk bands.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Jello Biafra is a legendary artist and his words have had a lasting impact on punk and alternative rock. He has spoken out on a variety of issues ranging from politics to social activism, and his lyrical style has been described as being both humorously provocative and fiercely passionate. His words have inspired countless others to challenge the status quo and fight for a better world.
