Jeff Penalty
Jeff Penalty was born
Jeff Alulis and raised in
Broomall, PA. He is the current lead singer of the
Dead Kennedys, joining them in
2003, replacing
Dr. Know's
Brandon Cruz, who was with the band for two years following legend
Jello Biafra's departure. He has played drums for both
Ralphus and
Vaz Hoil. He also sang for the Massachusetts
pop punk act,
Just About Done, and has been a part of the Los Angeles band,
Stupid Ferrets. On one occasion, he drummed for
Sidekick.
Jeff had a fascination with the Dead Kennedys ever since he bought their debut album,
Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables. He has been quoted saying that singing for the Dead Kennedys had been "the realization of a dream I never even dared to have." Joining the band at twenty-five, he is considerably younger than his bandmates.
He is also known to be a contributor for
Skratch Magazine,
Swindle Magazine, and
Kulture Mutt Magazine. He attended graduate school at the
University of Southern California, where he earned a MFA in screenwriting. Jeff co-owns the production company,
Emo Riot Productions with
Ryan Harlin.
Jeff and Ryan won the best documentary award at the 2003
DIY Film Festival for directing
Do You Remember? Fifteen Years Of The Bouncing Souls. He is currently directing a documentary about the
Youth Brigade and their record company,
BYO Records. It is slated for release at the end of
2006.
Jeff is also lead singer for a
Black Flag cover band called
Black Fag, adding a joking homosexual angle to the songs.
*
Official site of the Dead Kennedys*
Emo Riot Productions*
Vaz Hoil Homepage
