Suicide (the band, that is)

[design_femme]

Sooooooooo I was tinkering around the <A HREF="http://www.pandora.com"target="_blank">Pandora</a> site when the band Suicide pops up on my "station." I have heard [i]of[/i] them (many industrial/ebm bands that I like cited them as a huge influence), but this was the first time I've actually heard their music.

I love what I've heard so far.

Anybody got any info or recommendations on these guys? Thanks in advance.

[hutter]

Are you kidding? They're one of the best proto-punk groups ever. Get their self titled debut...you won't be disapointed. But...consider that it was made in the late 70's, so it's a li'l rough, much like Kraftwerk's early albums were rough...but still beautiful, if you're into that sorta thing...which you are.

Glad you're discovering them!

________________________________________________
For videos and tunes from yesteryear, take yer butt over to:
http://nealsnow.multiply.com/

[i_like_lectric_motors]

Yeah, the self-titled album is the way to go.

There's also an excellent tribute cd on Fifth Column called "We're All Frankies" featuring Dive, Kirlian Camera, Psyche, Neon Judgement and a few lesser known bands. I doubt it's still in print but it should be easy to find a used copy if you're interested.

[design_femme]

I'll definitely put the self-titled album on my "want" list.

I'm also considering picking up [i]A Way of Life[/i], as I heard one or two songs from it.

That stripped down, minimalist feel they have is so seductive...

[KYYX4ever]

"Mr. Ray" is my FAVORITE song by them! Although I don't know what album it's from. I do like these guys' sound after I dug around to listen to them. For years I had "Mr. Ray" on a cassette comp with no knowledge of who the artist was or even the song title. Mystery song that I finally was able to ID some time ago somewhere. Interesting sound they have.

[schwenko]

[quote][i]Originally posted by design_femme[/i]
<br>I'll definitely put the self-titled album on my "want" list.

I'm also considering picking up [i]A Way of Life[/i], as I heard one or two songs from it.

That stripped down, minimalist feel they have is so seductive...
[/quote]

They are the original synth duo, years before Pet Shop Boys or Sparks.
In the film "Kill Your Idols" Alan Vega shows a flyer from ? 1972 or 1973 advertising a gig they were doing, and describing their music as "new wave". I would say their most accessible song is the dreamy "Cheree". Their fist album was originally released on Marty Thau's Red Star records (1978), while the Mute re-issue (2000)is a double cd, including a concert at CBGBs in 1977, as well as "23 Minutes Over Brussels" live from 1978 where they are driven offstage by an enraged audience awaiting Elvis Costello.

[Bitter Almonds]

<p align="justify">Very low key and minimal sound, but still manages to be harsh and abrasive. It sounds like they were working with a broken keyboard, but "Johnny Teardrop" and "Ghostrider" are a real good sonic assault (gotta love the bit of vocal fades they do in "Ghostrider"). I remember I bought the album back in the early 2000s for about 15 bucks at Tower Wreckords only to find it in the bargain bin for less than 5 months later[xx(] On the plus side, I found Cabaret Voltaire's [i]The Crackdown[/i] for less than 5 in the same bin![8D]

[randy]

When I saw The Cars, Suicide was the opening act.

[schwenko]

[quote][i]Originally posted by randy[/i]
<br>When I saw The Cars, Suicide was the opening act.
[/quote]

When was that?

Ric Ocasek (spelling?) is a big Suicide fan and has produced them.

Suicide still plays occasionally, generally in NYC.

[randy]

Lordy--The Panorama tour I belive.

[tileboy]

I saw them open for either Rem or the pretenders,i can't remember which, at UNH in the mid 80's.First time I saw an act, for the most part ,get booed off stage.