Police Truck
Encyclopedia
"Police Truck" is a song by the Dead Kennedys
. The song was originally released in May, 1980
, as the B-side of the "Holiday in Cambodia
" single and later released in June 1987
on the DKs' compilation album, Give Me Convenience or Give Me Death
. The song is a satirical attack on the actions of two police officers named Howie and Lou, and takes a first person view from the authorities themselves. The song was inspired by an incident that occurred in Los Angeles in the early 1980s in which two police officers performed illegal activities such as drinking on the job, beating up drunks, and raping prostitutes. The lines, "Ride, ride, Howie, ride," and "Ride, ride, Lou, ride," reveal the names of the two policemen.
The song was one of the Kennedys' early popular songs. "Police Truck" is built around a surf rock beat (similar to ones heard in the early instrumental surf singles such as The Chantays
' "Pipeline"), and highlighted by East Bay Ray
's echoed guitar leads and the descending chorus "ride, ride, Howie, ride." "Police Truck", like many of the band's songs, serves as an example of the Dead Kennedys' ability to portray a disturbing scenario through humorous lyrics.
The song later appeared in the soundtrack of the popular skateboarding video game Tony Hawk's Pro Skater
, after being licensed by the former Dead Kennedys. This licensing caused criticism from many Dead Kennedys fans, who used it to assert that East Bay Ray
, Klaus Flouride
, and D.H. Peligro are no longer committed to the band's anti-corporate beliefs, unlike vocalist Jello Biafra
; however, Alternative Tentacles gave approval for the song to appear in the game. Biafra denies that this happened. The song appears as a cover in the game Guitar Hero Encore: Rocks the 80s
with altered lyrics (The word "drunks" at the beginning of the song is replaced by "punks", while "ass" is replaced by "butt", "shit" is replaced by "stool" and "dick
" is replaced by "kick"). This song is also available along with "California Über Alles
" and "Holiday in Cambodia
" for the Rock Band
series as Downloadable Content.
Dead Kennedys
Dead Kennedys are an American punk rock band formed in San Francisco, California in 1978. The band became part of the American hardcore punk movement of the early 1980s. They gained a large underground fanbase in the international punk music scene....
. The song was originally released in May, 1980
1980 in music
This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1980.-January–March:*January 1**Cliff Richard is appointed an MBE by Elizabeth II.**The Zorros audition drummer Greg Pedley....
, as the B-side of the "Holiday in Cambodia
Holiday in Cambodia
"Holiday in Cambodia" was the second single by the American punk band Dead Kennedys. The record was released in May 1980 on Alternative Tentacles with "Police Truck" as the b-side...
" single and later released in June 1987
1987 in music
This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1987.See also:Record labels established in 1987-January-February:*January 3 – Aretha Franklin becomes the first woman inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame...
on the DKs' compilation album, Give Me Convenience or Give Me Death
Give Me Convenience or Give Me Death
-Personnel:* Jello Biafra - vocals, producer, artwork, compiler* East Bay Ray - guitar, echoplex, producer, mixer* Klaus Fluoride - bass, backing vocals * D.H...
. The song is a satirical attack on the actions of two police officers named Howie and Lou, and takes a first person view from the authorities themselves. The song was inspired by an incident that occurred in Los Angeles in the early 1980s in which two police officers performed illegal activities such as drinking on the job, beating up drunks, and raping prostitutes. The lines, "Ride, ride, Howie, ride," and "Ride, ride, Lou, ride," reveal the names of the two policemen.
The song was one of the Kennedys' early popular songs. "Police Truck" is built around a surf rock beat (similar to ones heard in the early instrumental surf singles such as The Chantays
The Chantays
The Chantays are an American surf rock band from the early 1960s, known for the hit instrumental, "Pipeline" . Their music combined electronic keyboards and surf guitar, creating a unique ghostly sound.-History:...
' "Pipeline"), and highlighted by East Bay Ray
East Bay Ray
Raymond John Pepperell , better known by his stage name East Bay Ray is a guitarist best-known for his membership in the San Francisco Bay area-based punk band Dead Kennedys...
's echoed guitar leads and the descending chorus "ride, ride, Howie, ride." "Police Truck", like many of the band's songs, serves as an example of the Dead Kennedys' ability to portray a disturbing scenario through humorous lyrics.
The song later appeared in the soundtrack of the popular skateboarding video game Tony Hawk's Pro Skater
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater
-Reception:The game was very well-received by most critics, scoring an outstanding 92 on Metacritic based on 18 reviews for the PS1 version. IGN gave the N64 version of the game a 9.1 out of 10 praising the gameplay for "genius control, combo system and design" despite little criticism with sound...
, after being licensed by the former Dead Kennedys. This licensing caused criticism from many Dead Kennedys fans, who used it to assert that East Bay Ray
East Bay Ray
Raymond John Pepperell , better known by his stage name East Bay Ray is a guitarist best-known for his membership in the San Francisco Bay area-based punk band Dead Kennedys...
, Klaus Flouride
Klaus Flouride
Geoffrey Lyall , better known as Klaus Flouride, is best known as the bassist for the San Francisco, California, punk rock band Dead Kennedys from the group's inception in June 1978 until the band's break-up in December 1986, although he also produced four solo albums during the 1980s and...
, and D.H. Peligro are no longer committed to the band's anti-corporate beliefs, unlike vocalist Jello Biafra
Jello Biafra
Jello Biafra is an American musician, spoken word artist and leading figure of the Green Party of the United States. Biafra first gained attention as the lead singer and songwriter for San Francisco punk rock band Dead Kennedys...
; however, Alternative Tentacles gave approval for the song to appear in the game. Biafra denies that this happened. The song appears as a cover in the game Guitar Hero Encore: Rocks the 80s
Guitar Hero Encore: Rocks the 80s
Guitar Hero Encore: Rocks the 80s is a music video game and the third installment in the popular Guitar Hero series...
with altered lyrics (The word "drunks" at the beginning of the song is replaced by "punks", while "ass" is replaced by "butt", "shit" is replaced by "stool" and "dick
Penis
The penis is a biological feature of male animals including both vertebrates and invertebrates...
" is replaced by "kick"). This song is also available along with "California Über Alles
California Über Alles
"California Über Alles" was the first single by the Dead Kennedys. The record was released in June 1979 on Optional Music with "The Man with the Dogs" as the b-side...
" and "Holiday in Cambodia
Holiday in Cambodia
"Holiday in Cambodia" was the second single by the American punk band Dead Kennedys. The record was released in May 1980 on Alternative Tentacles with "Police Truck" as the b-side...
" for the Rock Band
Rock Band
Rock Band is a music video game developed by Harmonix Music Systems, published by MTV Games and Electronic Arts. It is the first title in the Rock Band series. The PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions were released in the United States on November 20, 2007, while the PlayStation 2 version was...
series as Downloadable Content.