Jeff Penalty

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Jeff Penalty(b. Jeff Alulis and raised in Broomall, Pennsylvania) 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. Penalty co-owns the production company, Emo Riot Productions with Ryan Harlin of Techno Squirrels.

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 in 2007. Recently, Jeff and Ryan traveled with NOFX to South America to film their tour for a documentary project yet to be formally announced.

Jeff is also lead singer for a Black Flag cover band called Black Fag, adding a joking homosexual angle to the songs.