Instruments Drums Genres Punk rock Role Drummer | Name Bruce Slesinger Associated acts Dead Kennedys | |
Albums Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables, The 1978 Demos Music group Dead Kennedys (1978 – 1980) Similar Klaus Flouride, 6025, East Bay Ray, DH Peligro, Jello Biafra | ||
Jello Biafra - Too Drunk to Fuck
Bruce Slesinger, better known by his stage name Ted, was the first drummer for the Dead Kennedys.
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Dead Kennedys
He drummed for the band from July 1978 to February 1981. He played the drums on their first album, Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables. He also co-wrote their second single, "Holiday in Cambodia", in conjunction with the rest of the group, and "Pull My Strings", a song written with lead singer and primary songwriter Jello Biafra specifically for the 1980 Bay Area Music awards. He also played on the Dead Kennedys track "Night of the Living Rednecks", in which Dead Kennedys guitarist East Bay Ray's guitar "breaks" and the band begins playing in a bebop style, while Biafra tells about his encounter with some jocks.
He preferred Gretsch drum kits and was best known for his manic energy and his distinctive kick-snare-ride patterns. Slesinger left because he wanted to pursue a career in architecture, and was replaced by D.H. Peligro.
Life outside music
He is now married and living in San Francisco working as an architect.