Shocking Twist: Dead Kennedys’ iconic image hijacked by Hungarian Government! Singer slams ‘Armchair Fascist’ move

Dead Kennedys' inspired government poster design
Source : FB / Civil Összefogás Fóruma/Civil Alliance Forum
Were the Dead Kennedys’ rights infringed by the Hungarian government? In March 2024, Hungary witnessed the emergence of a new type of poster campaign, as the familiar blue background propaganda was replaced by white background posters featuring four opposition leaders: András Feket-Győr, Ferenc Gyurcsány, Gergely Karácsony and Péter Márki-Zay.

These posters, created by a pseudo-civil society organisation called the Civil Alliance Forum, are believed to have originated from the same central propaganda source, likely associated with the government, according to 444.hu.

The new posters depict the opposition leaders in unique uniforms, sporting a letter S on their white shirts, resembling the US dollar symbol when combined with their black ties. The message implies that these leaders have been “bought” or influenced by external forces. The graphic design was inspired by the punk band Dead Kennedys.

The Dead Kennedys

The Dead Kennedys were a hardcore punk band from San Francisco that emerged in 1978 and disbanded in 1986 after eight years. Known for their satirical and humorous attacks on both political left and right, they blended English punk style with American punk energy.

In 1980, they gained attention by unveiling unique uniforms at the Bay Area Music Awards, where they were invited as a new wave band, despite their unconventional approach not aligning well with the event’s expectations.

Led by Jello Biafra, a prominent figure in bourgeois pop art of the time, the Dead Kennedys made a sport out of mocking the authorities, evident in their song titles like “California Über Alles” and “Holiday in Cambodia.”

Their disdain for the music industry and the new wave movement led them to wear dollar-sign shirts and compose a song specifically criticising what they perceived as deceitful practices among new wave bands with record labels.

Despite the simplistic nature of their uniform concept, which has since been imitated by others, including a member of the famous South Korean boy band BTS, it remains unclear if the propaganda factory was aware of the band’s design. Nonetheless, for Hungarian punks, the convergence of these elements represents a long-held dream, marking a significant moment for the Dead Kennedys’ legacy.

The Dead Kennedys singer responds

According to 24.hu, journalist László Seres contacted the band’s frontman Jello Biafra for his reaction. Seres had two main questions: whether the Hungarian government obtained permission to use the original photo, and if the band’s rights were infringed upon by the photo’s alteration. Jello Biafra’s reaction was as follows:

NO, we did NOT give permission for this spooky wannabe dictator Orbán or his party to use it! Why on earth would any of us support his armchair fascist regime in any way?

Yes, they have most certainly infringed the copyright of both DK and the renowned new wave/early punk photographer FStop Fitzgerald.

I think the actual mockery of the Bammie Awards is pretty well documented.

Go get ’em!

This means that the government will likely need to seek a new poster design soon, as the singer disapproves of the message and has denounced the situation as a case of copyright infringement.

Read also:

  • Another big protest by Péter Magyar was organised against the government – HERE
  • BREAKING: audio recording out, corruption trial manipulated by PM Orbán’s Cabinet? – HERE

 

 

 

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