Suicide is an American rock music group intermittently active since the early 1970s and composed of Alan Vega (vocals) and Martin Rev (synthesizers and drum machines). They claim to have coined the term 'punk' (in reference to music).
Rev's keyboard riffs—usually played on a battered Farfisa organ and accompanied by primitive drum machines—were simple and hypnotic, and provided an ideal backdrop for Vega's vocals. Vega owed an obvious debt to Elvis Presley and rockabilly singers, but his muttering, shrieking, nervy delivery was unique.
Suicide emerged from the early punk scene in New York City with a reputation for ferocious and controversial live shows that occasionally led to riots and violence. They are considered either part of the No Wave movement or an influential predecessor to that movement, and are possibly the first synthesizer-vocal musical duo.
Their first album, Suicide, is often regarded as a classic: One critic writes: "'Dream Baby Dream', 'Che', 'Ghost Rider'—these eerie, sturdy, steam-punk anthems rank among the most visionary, melodic experiments the rock realm has yet produced." [1]
Suicide's albums and performances in the late 1970s and early 1980s are regarded as some of the most influential post punk recordings and helped shape the direction of indie rock, industrial music and dance music. Among others, Henry Rollins, Soft Cell, The Fleshtones, and R.E.M. have listed Suicide as one of their influences, and decades later Bruce Springsteen would unexpectedly cover them in concert (it has also been pointed out that Springsteen's "Mr State Trooper" from the "Nebraska" album is clearly influenced by Suicide).
Vega and Rev have both released solo albums, and Suicide released their first album in over a decade with 2002's American Supreme. Sales, however, were slow and critical reception was mixed.
In 2005 their song 'Ghost Rider' was used in a Brazilian deodorant commercial.
External Links
Band website Review from Spike Magazine of David Nobahkt's book on the band