Ted (musician)
Encyclopedia
Bruce Slesinger, better known by his stage name Ted, was the first drummer
for the 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. Slesinger left because he wanted to pursue a career in architecture
, and was replaced by D.H. Peligro. He preferred Gretsch drum kits and was best known for his manic energy and his distinctive kick-snare-ride patterns.
He is now married and is living in San Francisco working as an architect
. He has a son, Samuel Slesinger aka Sam Sles, who is living in Los Angeles
and recently graduated from Occidental College
with a B.A. in Film & Media Studies.
Drummer
A drummer is a musician who is capable of playing drums, which includes but is not limited to a drum kit and accessory based hardware which includes an assortment of pedals and standing support mechanisms, marching percussion and/or any musical instrument that is struck within the context of a...
for the Dead Kennedys
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....
,. He drummed for the band from July 1978 to February 1981. He played the drums on their first album, Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables
Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables
Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables is the debut album by the American hardcore punk band Dead Kennedys. It was released in September 1980 through Faulty Products in the United States and through Cherry Red Records in the United Kingdom.It has been certified by BPI gold.The best selling and...
. He also co-wrote their second single, "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...
", in conjunction with the rest of the group, and "Pull My Strings
Pull My Strings
Pull My Strings is a song by the Dead Kennedys, written by lead singer Jello Biafra and drummer Ted specifically for the 1980 Bay Area Music Awards...
", a song written with lead singer and primary songwriter 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...
specifically for the 1980 Bay Area Music awards. He also played on the Dead Kennedys track "Night of the Living Rednecks
Night of the Living Rednecks
Night of the Living Rednecks is a live improvisation by the American hardcore punk band the Dead Kennedys. It features frontman Jello Biafra recounting a story to the audience with a bebop style bass guitar and drum backing, as guitarist East Bay Ray fixes his "broken" guitar.-Plot:The song begins...
", in which Dead Kennedys guitarist 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 guitar "breaks" and the band begins playing in a bebop
Bebop
Bebop differed drastically from the straightforward compositions of the swing era, and was instead characterized by fast tempos, asymmetrical phrasing, intricate melodies, and rhythm sections that expanded on their role as tempo-keepers...
style, while Biafra tells about his encounter with some jocks. Slesinger left because he wanted to pursue a career in architecture
Architecture
Architecture is both the process and product of planning, designing and construction. Architectural works, in the material form of buildings, are often perceived as cultural and political symbols and as works of art...
, and was replaced by D.H. Peligro. He preferred Gretsch drum kits and was best known for his manic energy and his distinctive kick-snare-ride patterns.
He is now married and is living in San Francisco working as an architect
Architect
An architect is a person trained in the planning, design and oversight of the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to offer or render services in connection with the design and construction of a building, or group of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the...
. He has a son, Samuel Slesinger aka Sam Sles, who is living in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
and recently graduated from Occidental College
Occidental College
Occidental College is a private, coeducational liberal arts college located in the Eagle Rock neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. Founded in 1887, Occidental College, or "Oxy" as it is called by students and alumni, is one of the oldest liberal arts colleges on the West Coast...
with a B.A. in Film & Media Studies.