Klaus Flouride

Klaus Flouride (born Geoffrey Lyall) was best known as the bassist for the San Francisco-based punk rock band Dead Kennedys from the group's inception in 1978 until the band's breakup in 1987, although he also produced three solo albums (to little fanfare) during the mid-to-late 80's.

Related Topics:
Punk rock - Dead Kennedys - 1978 - 1987

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The band was formed when Flouride and soon-to-be frontman and vocalist Jello Biafra (born Eric Boucher) answered a 1978 newspaper ad placed by guitarist East Bay Ray (born Raymond Pepperell). Their sound developed quickly, and the band soon took on original drummer Ted (born Bruce Slesinger) and began working on an album.

Related Topics:
Jello Biafra - East Bay Ray - Ted

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Flouride began intense work on a solo album during a band hiatus that followed the release of their 3rd album, 1982's "Plastic Surgery Disasters", eventually coming out with "Cha Cha Cha with Mr. Flouride" on Alternative Tentacles in 1985.

Related Topics:
1982 - Alternative Tentacles - 1985

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The band's well-publicized 1986 breakup was largely caused by the deep rift formed between DK's deeply-political frontman vocalist Jello Biafra and the rest of the band, (consisting of East Bay Ray on guitar, D.H. Peligro on drums, and Flouride on bass) in the wake of the "Frankenchrist" album scandal, in which the band and their independent label Alternative Tentacles were prosecuted for obscenity after Biafra made the unilateral decision (in direct opposition to the other band members) to include a print of the bizarre H.R. Giger painting "Penis Landscape" with each copy of their new album as a form of political protest.

Related Topics:
1986 - Jello Biafra - East Bay Ray - D.H. Peligro - Frankenchrist - Alternative Tentacles - H.R. Giger - Penis Landscape - Political protest

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After the breakup, Flouride returned to his minimal solo career, releasing "Because I Say So", and "The Light Is Flickering" in 1988, and 1991, respectively. He and his former band-mates also became embroiled in a protracted lawsuit with former frontman Biafra over reimbursement for band income and band material, which was settled in 1992 in the favor of Ray, Flouride, and Peligro.

Related Topics:
1988 - 1991 - 1992

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In 1999, he reunited with Ray and Peligro for a national tour under the Dead Kennedys name, taking on Dr. Know punk-vocalist Brandon Cruz as a replacement for Biafra, but ended their tour early, this time blaming Cruz for disagreements within the band.

Related Topics:
1999 - Dead Kennedys - Dr. Know - Brandon Cruz

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