Suicide – Surrender

RECOMMENDATION OF THE WEEK:

Suicide – Surrender

This week’s Recommendation of the Week is from one of my all-time favorite bands, and one of the most influential bands in music history.  Surrender by Suicide is a not just a compilation, but what it is really is a gateway… a portal… a small peek into intensity personified, and influenced much of the music you probably listen to now and have listened to for the last 50 years. If you think about the word “Punk … what does it really mean? As the years have passed, it has morphed into a style... “a look”. Its real definition though, even within the fashion, is the attitude… an attitude of confrontation. Remember that… confrontation.

To speak about the band Suicide is to discuss the essence of music with purpose… music with a message and music that sends a message. It is music that confronts the listener, engulfing and engaging them in thought provoking battle, with a blast from a sonic cacophony of power, emotion and ferocity.

Sounds intense, but also interesting, huh? 

This is the story of Suicide

Born from the burning ashes of a dying American Dream, Suicide took its name from a Ghost Rider story: "Satan’s Suicide”. Alan Vega likened it to “Society’s Suicide”, which he believed America, particularly New York City, was committing on the youth.

“America America is killin’ its youth” – “Ghost Rider” lyric

Suicide was a duo comprised of Alan Vega and Martin Rev. Both Vega and Rev were visual artists that were members the art collective “The Project of Living Artists”. This was based in lower Manhattan, and Vega was the curator, the caretaker of this collective gallery and art space, in an abandoned warehouse in the SoHo area of Manhattan. The purpose was to be the antithesis of Andy Warhol’s Factory; a world he felt was exclusive and pretentious. Vega wanted to create a gallery for “the bums” of society… “the Frankies” (it will all make sense later).

“When the rich wage war, it's the poor who die” - Jean-Paul Sarte

It was here in 1970, 31-year-old Alan Vega, a physics grad from Brooklyn College turned visual artist, met Martin Rev, also an artist in his early 20s. Both were deeply affected by the carnage and chaos left in the wake of the raging Vietnam War. It was taking its toll, both with the lives of his friends, and the immense mental toll. Alan was sinking deeper into his anger and frustration, and his art was his therapy, his message, his way of dealing with chaos. 

Vega and Rev both went to see Iggy and The Stooges around 1970, and this changed everything! Iggy Pop’s performances were intense, visceral and complete insanity… he was like a crazed madman at this time, cutting himself on stage with an energy and ferocity that demanded notice. Hell, it screamed in your face and punched you so hard that it dared you, but also demanded you to get back up.

Vega took notice… He was all in and he got up and it was decided that he and Rev would make confrontational art through music and stage performance. The chaos of war, poverty, and a city on the brink of disaster was raging. The youth experienced a life of hopelessness in New York then. No Future…. Nothing but chaos and despair. Vega felt it. Rev felt it. They believed that love was the answer, but that it needed chaos to fight back with chaos. 

“…Throw Chaos at Chaos and Create an Explosion” - Alan Vega

Vega and Rev used synthesizers, drum machines, organs…hell, anything left at the Art Collective Art Space was used to “scream” back in the face of America!

From the first pounding synth rhythms and pulsating beat from “Ghost Rider”, you get a glimpse into the world of Suicide. Their debut album wouldn’t come out until 1977, years after Suicide were performing “chaos”, getting harassed off stage, and for those who listened… changing lives and creating new musical possibilities. The power of their message hits you in the chest full force, and that confrontational chaos can still be felt today. 

One song on their debut that you’ll never forget is “Frankie Teardrop”. It is nothing short of the most intense work you’ll ever hear. It is chaotic, severe… It's traumatic. The story of 20-year-old desperate Frankie, a husband and father, suffocating in debt and reeling hopelessly, ends in a tragedy that will resoundingly affect you deeply.  Suicide makes sure of that. 

The intensity of this song has had a resounding influence.  One example is Bruce Springsteen who heard “Frankie Teardrop” and was inspired and influenced to create his Nebraska album. 

The key to Suicide’s message is that even though there is this darkness, there is also love and hope, and in that overwhelming chaos, there will come an explosion!  “Dream Baby Dream”, released in 1980 as a 12” single as a companion to their second album, is probably the closest thing they have to a “hit”.  Chaotic, and through intense dissonance, the pounding rhythms and synth swells lift you up dramatically through the chaos… torn, tattered, beaten but resoundingly resilient.  Emotionally wounded, but also tough, bitter, and ready for war. This is the essence of Suicide.

As the destitute, decaying 1970s came to an end, leaving America lost, confused and vulnerable, and the 80s, with its false promises, empty fortunes, and demagogues took hold, Suicide pushed back with in a fierce, biting retort with A Way Of Life, released in 1988.  “Devastation”, “Surrender” and “Dominic Christ” are essentials from this vastly underrated masterpiece!

The compilation Surrender is just a perfect taste sampler… an introductory crash course in the beauty and “Confrontational Chaos” of Suicide.  You’ll want to go deeper and explore their work in full, but this is a great place to see if you are ready for it!
Some words that come to mind about the band Suicide…

Chaos, Minimalism, Caustic Dissonance, Abrasive

but also

Love, Heart, Undying Passion, Compassion

They were the definition of “Street Punk”.

They influenced everyone…The New York Dolls, Bruce Springsteen, Lydia Lunch, Throbbing Gristle, The Clash, Joy Division, The Damned, Bauhaus, Sisters Of Mercy, Orchestral Maneuvers In The Dark, Ministry, Henry Rollins, Nine Inch Nails, LCD Soundsystem, MGMT… New Wave, No Wave, Industrial, Post-Punk, Punk, Goth… and the list goes on and on.

There was no one like the band Suicide

Essential Track:  “Dream Baby Dream”