Person · PER-45D05C4E21EFE9A3
East Bay Ray
1 catalogued object connected to East Bay Ray.
Reference entry
Biography
Person.
East Bay Ray is the guitarist and a founding member of Dead Kennedys. The San Francisco band formed in 1978 after he placed a musicians’ advertisement answered by singer Jello Biafra. His playing combines punk’s force with surf guitar, film music and unusual chord voicings.
In interviews, Ray has described learning mainly by ear and developing his sound through modified amplifiers, repeated-note picking and Echoplex tape delay. The echo of spaghetti-western soundtracks was another influence. His guitar work helped define recordings including Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables and Frankenchrist.
Reviewed 2026-09-06Selected sources
- Dead Kennedys — Band historyFounding role, 1978 formation and guitar approach.
- Decibel — East Bay Ray interviewFirst-person account of technique, equipment, influences and recordings.