The thrash band Suicidal Tendencies was notable for its originality. Musicians have always loved to impress their listeners, as the name suggests. The story of their success is a story about how important it is to compose something that will be relevant for its time.
In the village of Venice (USA) in the early 1980s, Mike Muir created a group with the non-angelic name Suicidal Tendencies. It happened because the guy needed to earn money somewhere while studying at Santa Monica College. At that time, peculiar house parties for neighbors, the so-called "house parties", were fashionable. They became popular with skateboarders and punks.
The special reputation of the group Suicidal Tendencies
The group also had a gangster reputation due to their respective clothing, and the rumors also took their toll. They wore distinctive blue bandanas and shirts fastened with a single top button.
In addition, there was a baseball cap with the name of one of the gangs. The drummer borrowed it from his older brother. There was also a dark story with the death of some girl at the concert. The band's name has become symbolic.
Great frontman and line-up
Mike Muir is considered the undisputed leader and frontman. He grew up in Santa Monica. Mike has always had an explosive temper. In addition, according to the "Top 50 Metal Frontmen of All Time", he ranked 40th, which was not bad.
One of the monthly music magazines called him "the most vicious vocalist". And sure enough, Mike, without hesitation, could start a fight. In addition to his own group, at different times he paid attention to other projects that he led in parallel. Mike underwent two major spinal surgeries and rehabilitation therapy in the 2000s.
The first line-up of the group was as follows - musician Estes, as well as bassist Luis Mayogra and drummer Smith. In the future, he changed dramatically, only Mike Muir remained unchanged. The group quickly developed from amateur to professional, which contributed to its success.
The development of the group Suicidal Tendencies
Gradually, the quality of the band's songs improved and changed. And record companies focused on the work of musicians. In 1983, thanks to the famous indie label Frontier, they released a hardcore album of the same name, which became the best-selling.
Despite the traditional unpopularity of such music among music lovers, the group was even played on MTV. But for some time the musicians were forbidden to perform in the vicinity of their native city. This almost led to the collapse of the team.
One of the punk magazines of the 1980s, according to the results of a vote by the readership, recognized the guys as both the coolest and the worst band in Los Angeles.
Interestingly, the producer of the first album was photographer Glen Friedman, who often published photos of Los Angeles skaters. The guys believed in luck and hardworkingly recorded more than 10 songs per day. Glen also made beautiful photos and cover art for the first collection of the same name.
In the car of the father of one of the band members, they set off on their debut tour of the United States. The rise of the musicians fully corresponded to the romance of life at that time.
Label Suicidal Records
Label Suicidal Records released albums by Suicidal Tendencies for two years. In addition, he helped record compositions for beginners and unknown bands. The debut of this small fraternal record company was Welcome To Venice.
The musicians released four albums at their own studio. The reason why Mike Muir had to look for another recording studio is the need for a stronger recording capacity, developed distribution. This was required for their further development.
The band's music continued to change. From hardcore punk in the mid-1980s, the musicians moved on to crossover thrash. By that time, Rocky George and RJ Herrera appeared in the team. It was with their arrival that the sound of Suicidal Tendencies acquired strong thrash shades.
The renewed band released an unusual album Join the Army with the famous song Possessed to Skate. It has become the anthem of many skaters of all times and peoples. In addition, this composition was included in the film illustrating the struggle of gangs in Los Angeles at that time. Gradually, the metalworkers also began to be interested in the work of the group.
Disagreements and changes
In the 1980s, the band worked for Virgin Records. In addition, there were a number of disagreements, because of which the composition of the team changed. Came and then went Bob Heathcote, who made a significant contribution to the band's music. The sound of the guys became more metallic, professional and interesting. Many heavy hits appeared in the music, warmly received by fans and included in the top 200. They also filmed video clips.
In the 1990s, the group found significant success. So, for the team, music has become the meaning of life. It is this period that is called classical in creativity. Helped them find their own style of Robert Trujillo, who appeared in the composition. Then in their music "fans" heard a combination of funk and thrash metal. Their sound did not become something like progressive metal, but still leaned very much towards it. The new producer, Northfield, also contributed to the success by cleverly creating promotions and advertising, giving the right advice.
A little later, Suicidal Tendencies signed a contract with Epic Records, with which they collaborated for five years. Musicians became in some way a symbol of the era, beautifully illustrating the life position and hobbies of many people.
The group went on a world tour, and the producer changed again. It was Mark Dodson. Suicidal Tendencies have recorded two new albums with new songs and sounds. One of the songs Lights, Camera, Revolution even entered the top 200 Billboard.
2000-ies
The new century was not very successful for musicians. At first, the group practically did not perform. The musicians were engaged in various projects. Mike Muir was seriously ill and underwent a course of rehabilitation therapy.
In 2005, there were only two appearances by Suicidal Tendencies on stage. On the world tour, the musicians went to Russia, performing concerts in Moscow and St. Petersburg. The last album of the musicians was released in 2018 and was called Still Cyco Punk After All These Years. In addition, the composition of the group continues to change regularly.
Interesting moments from the activities of the group Suicidal Tendencies
The frontman found the plot of one of the songs of the first album in the newspaper, remaking it into ironic verses. She was released on the Slamulation compilation. It was she who liked the "fans". It is often performed even today.
One version of the band's name came about when Muir found out about a hospital in their area. The second version - the frontman said that the name is associated with skaters.
