Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables – The Dead Kennedys
After their breakout performance on the Bay Area Music Awards, the Dead Kennedys quickly became the biggest name in western punk with their strong left-wing political statements and Jello Biafra’s distinct voice. Their debut album, Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables, established the American punk scene, founded on loud guitars and drums, accompanied with spat-out lyrics that attack anything from heroin junkies to money-obsessed individuals. In no way is this record subtle — in fact, it climbs down your throat with its vicious sarcasm and unwavering aggression.
Tracks to listen to: “Kill the Poor,” “California Über Alles,” “Holiday in Cambodia”

You’re a Woman, I’m a Machine – Death From Above 1979
When Death From Above 1979 formed in 2001, very few duos existed in the mainstream, but the beauty of DFA is in the duo ­— the fact that two people can make such a large and empowering noise is perplexing. With Sebastien Grainger’s frantic vocals and exhilarating drumming and Jesse F. Keeler’s overdriven bass lines, the band’s debut album You’re a Woman, I’m a Machine contains a steady dose of punk rock hits. In this 30-minute album, Keeler’s bass guitar plays both roles during different points in each song, ensuring that any guitar riffs are not missed. After the massive success of their first album, DFA toured relentlessly, contributing to their eventual personal and creative differences and an abrupt breakup. When the group returned in 2011, fans hadn’t forgotten their energy. The band faced sold-out shows, people scalping tickets for hundreds of dollars and even a riot at their 2011 South by Southwest festival performance.