Jello Biafra has paid tribute to his good friend and former Lifeless Kennedys drummer D.H. Peligro, who handed away on Friday (October 28) following an unintended fall in his Los Angeles residence.
Peligro – whose actual identify was Darren Henley – joined the San Francisco punks in 1981 and recorded 4 albums with the band — In God We Belief, Inc, Plastic Surgical procedure Disasters, Frankenchrist and Bedtime for Democracy — in addition to showing on the rarities assortment Give Me Comfort Or Give Me Loss of life, which was launched following their preliminary break up in 1986.
Biafra, who was not a part of the band’s reunion in 2001, took to social media to share recollections of his late good friend.
He wrote: “Wow. I certain wasn’t anticipating this. I really feel like I’ve been hit by a practice. Regardless of all he’d executed to his thoughts and physique, I by no means thought we’d lose him first. He was not simply our highly effective unforgettable drummer. He was a gifted singer, songwriter, guitarist and a lot extra. Even behind the drum package, he had presence. All animal intuition, he by no means performed something fairly the identical manner twice. He was a born showman.
“Clear again in ‘79, I bought a sizzling tip on a brand new Conflict-inspired Punk band referred to as SSI enjoying on the Deaf Membership. As nice as these guys performed, it was the drummer that stole the present. A free spirited African American pressure of nature (The Punk scene is at all times too white), with this shit consuming grin, a bandana on his head, and two kick drums (!) singing his ass off to Hold A-Knockin’, even sounding like Little Richard, as they closed the present.
“Then they disappeared. In 1981 we wanted a brand new drummer. In some way Ray discovered that man from SSI. Or possibly Darren discovered him, I used to be by no means certain. From the primary track, he was stable. Good kick and snare intuition, to make the songs go.
“On the second audition, he was the one who’d executed his homework, so arms down he was in. Ray mentioned he’d discovered In-Sight from listening to it as soon as in his automobile on the radio. Now we had extra fireplace and really feel than ever earlier than, and the remainder is historical past. He made the entire band 10 years youthful, together with all of the rattling carousing and pranks. Throwing meals at passengers everywhere in the aircraft on the best way to Australia, til the pilot got here again and threatened to arrest him. In Rome, he and I pulled on all these cables exterior the window of a music label workplace, not realizing we have been yanking all these peoples’ TVs off their balconies, and out of their residing rooms.
“We laughed about a number of stuff the opposite guys didn’t. We had our personal distinctive bond. Pals who noticed DH with the Chili Peppers on the Hollywood Bowl mentioned he appeared so comfortable up there. He appeared so proud. But it surely was to not be.
“When he lastly hit backside, he went clear again to St. Louis to scrub up. I used to be the one who flew out to see him when he bought out of rehab. One other good friend got here down from Chicago, and blew our minds with our first 90 minute baptism of Wesley Willis!
“A yr or two later, I used to be in Chicago engaged on Lard, and Wesley came to visit. I referred to as DH, and put Wes on the telephone, not telling Darren who he was. When speak shifted to the hazards of excessive fructose corn syrupI knew he knew. Once I bought the telephone again, he was laughing his ass off.
“When he got here north to go to, he’d stick with me; and we grew nearer and deeper than ever earlier than. The opposite guys begged off, and didn’t need to see him. I believed we would actually be brothers for all times.
“He put collectively his personal band, referred to as Peligro after all, with him on guitar and vocals, utilizing a number of the songs from his 80’s Punk energy trio, the Hellations. Their Different Tentacles debut is by far the most effective solo album by any of the ex-DKs. Like Recent Fruit [For Rotting Vegetables] gone Dangerous Brains, in the very best manner. He had now unfold his wings as a full fledged chief and songwriter. However extra was to not be.
“I nonetheless suppose they might have change into a lot extra after they regrouped, than a 20+ yr tribute band. They may have gotten a brand new drummer, Jon Lieb, possibly; and made DH the brand new frontman, on vocals, second guitar, boost his songs, and extra. Goal excessive and do it proper, with a brand new identify, new sound, and a complete new identification. Like the category manner Bauhaus morphed into Love and Rockets, submit Peter Murphy.
That might have been such a great band. Rattling. I get goose bumps simply interested by it. So I hope Peligro is up there someplace, getting his headbutts from Wesley eventually. Eternally free from any hellrides from excessive fructose corn syrup.
With a lot love and respect,
Jello Biafra”
