Bruce Slessinger

Who is Bruce Slessinger?

Bruce Slesinger, better known by his stage name Ted, was the first drummer for the Dead Kennedys. He drummed for the band from July 1978 to February 1981. He played the drums on their first album, Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables. He also co-wrote their second single, "Holiday in Cambodia", in conjunction with the rest of the group, and "Pull My Strings", a song written with lead singer and primary songwriter Jello Biafra specifically for the 1980 Bay Area Music awards. He also played on the Dead Kennedys track "Night of the Living Rednecks", in which Dead Kennedys guitarist East Bay Ray's guitar "breaks" and the band begins playing in a bebop style, while Biafra tells about his encounter with some jocks. Slesinger left because he wanted to pursue a career in architecture, and was replaced by D.H. Peligro. He preferred Gretsch drum kits and was best known for his manic energy and his distinctive kick-snare-ride patterns.

He is now married and living in San Francisco working as an architect. He has a son, Samuel Slesinger, who is living in San Francisco and graduated from Occidental College with a B.A. in Film & Media Studies.