Suicide is a 1970s and '80s punk/post punk duo, composed of Alan Vega (vocals) and Martin Rev (synthesizers and drum machines).

Suicide formed in the early 1970s as a conventional rock group with guitars, bass guitar and drums, but over time, many members quit until only Vega and Rev remained.

Rev's keyboard riffs--usually played on a battered Farfisa organ and accompanied by primative drum machines--were simple and hypnotic, and provided an ideal backdrop for Vega's vocals. Vega often owed an obvious debt to Elvis Presley and rockabilly singers, but his muttering, shrieking, nervy delivery was unique.

They 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.

Their first album, Suicide, is often regarded as a classic: "'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 and R.E.M. have listed Suicide as one of their influences.

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.

External links

• Suicide and You, by Matthew Moyer
• "Suicide Watch" article by Simon Reynolds on Alan Vega, including some information on Suicide in general