Dead Kennedys and the Provocation of ‘Holiday in Cambodia’

The episode traces how the Dead Kennedys’ 1980 single ‘Holiday in Cambodia’ fused sharp political commentary with punk’s raw energy, sparking FCC censorship battles over profanity while exposing Western apathy toward Cambodian atrocities. We unpack the song’s lyrical intent, its underground distribution network, the scene‑wide backlash and how it set a template for later protest‑punk tracks.

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