Song history written by TimelandIsWacky
This song contains subject matter that may not be suitable for all readers as it deals with police brutality and rape.
“Police Truck” is one of the most iconic Dead Kennedys songs with its fast pace and echoing guitar work. The lyrics, a satire written by frontman Jello Biafra, details a violent night out for a few policemen – attacking drunks and kidnapping prostitutes to rape. They commit these acts of violence because they understand that they can get away with it. ”Left newspapers” may report on the story and call the police out for their corruption, the people in charge have no interest in holding their own accountable. While the song’s satire might lead one to think it was fictional, it was inspired by real life violence committed by the Oakland Police Department in the late ‘70s. “Police Truck” was initially released as the b-side of “Holiday In Cambodia,” though it would later appear on certain versions of their debut album Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables as well as the compilation Give Me Convenience or Give Me Death. It remains one of the Dead Kennedys’ most popular songs, appearing on the Tony Hawk Pro Skater soundtrack and being covered by bands like Megadeth. Jello has continued to play the song with other bands, including the Descendents, Agent Orange and Frankie and the Witch Fingers.
After a soundcheck the night prior, King Gizzard performed “Police Truck” with Jello Biafra as part of Field of Vision on 2025-08-15. Unlike the studio version, the band jammed the track with Ambrose providing avant-garde saxophone improvisation. Before the performance, the band explained that the Dead Kennedys were a major inspiration on their early work with Stu singling out “Trench Foot” as an example. By the time it ended, they had fully shifted into their political side with Stu yelling “Free Palestine and fuck the police!”