Suicidal Tendencies is an American crossover thrash band from Venice, California. Formed in 1980, the group originally featured vocalist Mike Muir, guitarist Mike Ball, bassist Mike Dunnigan, and drummer Carlos "Egie" Egert. Muir is the band's only constant member, the current lineup of which features guitarists Dean Pleasants (since 1996) and Ben Weinman (since 2018), bassist Tye Trujillo (since 2021), and drummer Jay Weinberg (since 2024).
History
edit1980–1995
editMike Muir formed Suicidal Tendencies in 1980 with Mike Ball, Mike Dunnigan and Carlos Egert, the latter of whom left after the band's first demo recording and was replaced by Dunnigan's brother, Sean.[1] By 1982, Mike Dunnigan had switched to guitar and Louiche Mayorga had taken over on bass.[2] This lineup recorded "I Saw Your Mommy" for the 1983 Mystic Records compilation Slamulation, after which the Dunnigan brothers left.[1] They were replaced by drummer Amery "AWOL" Smith and guitarist Rick Battson, briefly, before Grant Estes took over from the latter.[3] After the recording of their self-titled full-length debut, Jon Nelson briefly joined as a second guitarist, before Estes quit just before the start of a tour in the summer and Nelson took over lead guitar.[4]
In the summer of 1984, Leonard "Rocky" George took over on guitar; shortly thereafter, Smith was also replaced by Ralph "R. J." Herrera.[5] The band contributed "Look Up... (The Boys Are Back)" to their own label Suicidal's Welcome to Venice compilation in 1985, and released Join the Army in 1987.[6] After the album's promotional touring cycle, Muir brought in rhythm guitarist Mike Clark from recently disbanded No Mercy (of which he was also a member),[7] while Mayorga was replaced by Bob Heathcote from Los Cycos, another of Muir's side projects.[8] After the release and promotion of How Will I Laugh Tomorrow When I Can't Even Smile Today, Heathcote left in February 1989 due to musical differences.[9] Bass on Controlled by Hatred/Feel Like Shit... Déjà Vu was performed by George and Clark.
By the time of a European tour supporting Anthrax in the summer of 1989, Robert Trujillo had taken over bass for Suicidal Tendencies.[10] The new lineup released Lights... Camera... Revolution! in 1990, before Herrera left in late 1991 due to tensions with Muir and his wife being pregnant with their first child.[11] For their next album The Art of Rebellion, the group enlisted Vandals drummer Josh Freese on a session basis.[12] After the album was released, Jimmy DeGrasso took over on drums.[13] In 1993, the band released Still Cyco After All These Years, which featured new versions of songs from their self-titled debut recorded in 1990.[14] The first new album with DeGrasso, Suicidal for Life, followed in June 1994.[15] By late 1995, however, Muir had disbanded Suicidal Tendencies.[16]
1996–present
editAfter "about a year" away,[17] Suicidal Tendencies reformed with a new lineup including Infectious Grooves members Dean Pleasants on lead guitar, Josh Paul on bass and Brooks Wackerman on drums, who joined returning members Mike Muir and Mike Clark.[18] This incarnation remained stable for several years, releasing Freedumb, Free Your Soul and Save My Mind, and tracks on several compilations.[19] In early 2001, Wackerman left to pursue other projects and was replaced by Ron Bruner.[20] Around a year later, Paul also left the band, with Bruner's brother Steve "Thundercat" Bruner taking his place.[21] Also in 2002, David Hidalgo Jr. began sharing drum duties with Bruner, with both members performing at various points over the coming years.[22][23] In October 2008, Eric Moore took over as the band's full-time drummer.[24]
In 2011, Thundercat left Suicidal Tendencies to focus on his solo career.[25] He was replaced by Tim "Rawbiz" Williams.[26] The following June, longtime rhythm guitarist Mike Clark also left to reform No Mercy under the new name Waking the Dead,[27] having previously sat out show due to a head injury.[28] He was replaced by Nico Santora, who completed work on the band's next studio album 13.[29] Shortly after its release, in March 2014 it was announced that former Mars Volta drummer Thomas Pridgen had replaced Moore.[30] In August that year, the band announced that bassist Williams had died.[31] The following month, Pridgen left after just six months with the group to join Chiodos,[32] with Moore returning in his place.[33] Michael Morgan temporarily took over as the band's bassist when they resumed touring in the fall of 2014.[34]
In February 2016, Suicidal Tendencies underwent two more lineup changes – Roberto "Ra" Díaz took over on bass,[35] while former Slayer drummer Dave Lombardo replaced Moore.[36] In May, Santora was replaced by Jeff Pogan, who debuted on World Gone Mad later that year.[37] After the EP Get Your Fight On! and another album, Still Cyco Punk After All These Years, Pogan left and was replaced by former Dillinger Escape Plan guitarist Ben Weinman.[38] During 2021, Díaz and Lombardo were replaced in the band's touring lineup by Tye Trujillo and Brandon Pertzborn, respectively.[39] In April 2023, Pertzborn was replaced by Greyson Nekrutman,[40] who himself made way for former Slipknot drummer Jay Weinberg the following March.[41]
Members
editCurrent
editImage | Name | Years active | Instruments | Release contributions |
---|---|---|---|---|
"Cyco" Mike Muir |
|
lead vocals | all Suicidal Tendencies releases | |
Dean Pleasants | 1996–present |
|
all Suicidal Tendencies releases from Prime Cuts (1997) onwards | |
Ben Weinman | 2018–present |
|
none to date | |
Tye Trujillo | 2021–present | bass | ||
Jay Weinberg | 2024–present | drums |
Former
editImage | Name | Years active | Instruments | Release contributions |
---|---|---|---|---|
Mike Dunnigan | 1980–1982 (died) |
|
| |
Mike Ball | 1980–1981 | lead and rhythm guitars | none | |
Carlos "Egie" Egert | drums | |||
Sean Dunnigan | 1981–1982 (died 2002) |
| ||
Andrew Evans | 1981–1982 | bass | none | |
Louiche Mayorga | 1982–1988 |
|
all Suicidal Tendencies releases from the untitled 1982 demos to Join the Army (1987) | |
Amery "AWOL" Smith | 1982–1984 | drums | Suicidal Tendencies (1983) | |
Rick Battson | 1982–1983 | lead and rhythm guitars | none | |
Grant Estes | 1983 | Suicidal Tendencies (1983) | ||
Jon Nelson | 1983–1984 | none | ||
Leonard "Rocky" George | 1984–1995 |
|
all Suicidal Tendencies releases from "Look Up... (The Boys Are Back)" (1985) to Suicidal for Life (1994) | |
Ralph "R. J." Herrera | 1984–1991 | drums |
| |
Mike Clark |
|
|
all Suicidal Tendencies releases from How Will I Laugh Tomorrow When I Can't Even Smile Today (1988) to 13 (2013) – four tracks only | |
Bob Heathcote | 1988–1989 (died 2022) | bass |
| |
Robert Trujillo |
|
|
all Suicidal Tendencies releases from Lights... Camera... Revolution! (1990) to Suicidal for Life (1994) | |
Jimmy DeGrasso | 1992–1995 | drums | Suicidal for Life (1994) | |
Josh Paul | 1996–2002 | bass |
| |
Brooks Wackerman | 1996–2001 | drums |
| |
Ronald Bruner Jr. | 2001–2008 (part-time starting from 2002) |
| ||
Steve "Thundercat" Bruner | 2002–2011 | bass |
| |
David Hidalgo Jr. | 2002–2008 | drums |
| |
Eric Moore |
|
13 (2013) | ||
Tim "Rawbiz" Williams | 2011–2014 (until his death) |
|
13 (2013) – two tracks only | |
Nico Santora | 2012–2016 |
|
13 (2013) | |
Thomas Pridgen | 2014 | drums | none | |
Michael Morgan | 2014–2016 |
| ||
Ra Díaz | 2016–2021 |
| ||
Dave Lombardo | drums | |||
Jeff Pogan | 2016–2018 |
| ||
Brandon Pertzborn | 2021–2023 | drums | none | |
Greyson Nekrutman | 2023–2024 |
Timeline
editLineups
editPeriod | Members | Releases |
---|---|---|
1980–1981 |
|
none |
1981 |
| |
1981–1982 |
| |
1982 |
|
|
Late 1982 – early 1983 |
|
none |
Early – spring 1983 |
|
Suicidal Tendencies (1983) |
Spring – summer 1983 |
|
none |
Summer 1983 – summer 1984 |
| |
Summer 1984 |
| |
Fall 1984 – early 1988 |
|
|
March 1988 – February 1989 |
|
|
Spring 1989 |
|
|
Summer 1989 – late 1991 |
|
|
Late 1991 – early 1992 |
|
|
Summer 1992 – late 1995 |
|
|
Band inactive late 1995 – late 1996 | ||
Late 1996 – early 2001 |
|
|
Early 2001 – early 2002 |
|
none |
Early 2002 – September 2008 |
|
|
October 2008 – 2011 |
|
|
2011 – June 2012 |
|
none |
August 2012 – March 2014 |
|
|
March – August 2014 |
|
none |
Fall 2014 – February 2016 |
| |
February – May 2016 |
| |
May 2016 – July 2018 |
|
|
July 2018 – summer 2021 |
|
none |
Summer 2021 – April 2023 |
| |
April 2023 – March 2024 |
| |
March 2024 – present |
|
none to date |
References
edit- ^ a b "Sunday Old School: Suicidal Tendencies". Metal-Underground.com. September 20, 2015. Retrieved April 13, 2021.
- ^ Wells, Kevin J. (September 19, 2014). "Interview: Luicidal Brings "Early Suicidal Tendencies" To Their New Album". New Noise. Retrieved April 13, 2021.
- ^ "Entrevista – Rick Battson" (in Portuguese). Suicidal Maniac. August 21, 2009. Retrieved April 13, 2021.
- ^ "Entrevista – Jon Nelson" (in Portuguese). Suicidal Maniac. October 12, 2009. Retrieved April 13, 2021.
- ^ Gregorio, Ron (November 1984). "Suicidal Tendencies". Hard Times. Vol. 1, no. 4. Maywood, New Jersey: Hard Times. p. 4. Retrieved April 13, 2021.
- ^ Rivadavia, Eduardo. "Join the Army – Suicidal Tendencies: Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved April 13, 2021.
- ^ "Interview: Mike Clark (Waking the Dead, No Mercy, Suicidal Tendencies)". Aversion Online. January 29, 2015. Retrieved April 13, 2021.
- ^ "MR Exclusive Interview: Louiche Mayorga of Suicidal Tendencies and Luicidal". Metal Riot. April 5, 2013. Retrieved April 13, 2021.
- ^ "Entrevista – Bob Heathcote" (in Portuguese). Suicidal Maniac. December 20, 2009. Retrieved April 13, 2021.
- ^ "Metallica's Robert Trujillo Looks Back On Suicidal Tendencies' Debut Album (Video)". Blabbermouth.net. September 5, 2017. Retrieved April 13, 2021.
- ^ "Entrevista – R.J. Herrera" (in Portuguese). Suicidal Maniac. April 20, 2010. Retrieved April 13, 2021.
- ^ Boehm, Mike (May 29, 1992). "Xtra Large Becoming a Giant". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved April 13, 2021.
- ^ Iwasaki, Scott (November 26, 1992). "College Crowd Kept Suicidal Tendencies Alive". Deseret News. Retrieved April 13, 2021.
- ^ Prindle, Mark. "Still Cyco After All These Years – Epic 1993". Mark's Record Reviews. Retrieved April 13, 2021.
- ^ Rivadavia, Eduardo. "Suicidal for Life – Suicidal Tendencies: Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved April 13, 2021.
- ^ Baltin, Steve (February 3, 1996). "Cyco Miko's Mike Muir: Going Crazy" (PDF). Cash Box. Vol. 59, no. 21. New York City, New York: Cash Box. p. 5. Retrieved April 13, 2021.
- ^ "Suicidal Tendencies Frontman Recalls Band Splitting Up After Opening for Metallica: 'I Was Absolutely Miserable'". Ultimate Guitar. May 27, 2020. Retrieved April 13, 2021.
- ^ Robinson, Nathan (February 1, 1999). "Suicidal Tendencies – Prime Cuts / Friends And Family / Six The Hard Way". Metal-Rules.com. Retrieved April 13, 2021.
- ^ Prato, Greg. "Suicidal Tendences: Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved April 13, 2021.
- ^ "Archive News Mar 08, 2001 – update 2". Blabbermouth.net. March 8, 2001. Retrieved April 13, 2021.
- ^ "Suicidal Tendencies Finalize European Tour, Offer Band Update". Blabbermouth.net. April 30, 2002. Retrieved April 13, 2021.
- ^ "On The Beat with David Hidalgo Jr. of Social Distortion: Balancing Bands and Styles". Modern Drummer. January 2018. Retrieved April 13, 2021.
- ^ "Suicidal Tendencies Begin Work On First Studio Album In Six Years". Blabbermouth.net. January 16, 2006. Retrieved April 13, 2021.
- ^ "Suicidal Tendencies Announces New Drummer". Blabbermouth.net. October 12, 2008. Retrieved April 13, 2021.
- ^ Maharaj, Zoneil (June 13, 2019). "Tracing Thundercat's key evolutionary steps, from Suicidal Tendencies to Kendrick Lamar". Las Vegas Weekly. Retrieved April 13, 2021.
- ^ DeGroot, Joey (August 27, 2014). "R.I.P. Suicidal Tendencies Bassist Tim 'Rawbiz' Williams". Music Times. Retrieved April 13, 2021.
- ^ "Ex-Suicidal Tendencies Guitarist Mike Clark Resurrects No Mercy Under New Name". Blabbermouth.net. March 4, 2013. Retrieved April 13, 2021.
- ^ Kamiński, Karol (August 4, 2012). "Rumour: Mike Clark has left SUICIDAL TENDENCIES - IDIOTEQ.com". Retrieved December 21, 2024.
- ^ "New Suicidal Tendencies Guitarist Nico Santora Interviewed By Fandalism Founder". Blabbermouth.net. July 15, 2013. Retrieved April 13, 2021.
- ^ Kamiński, Karol (March 12, 2014). "Suicidal Tendencies announce new drummer!". Idioteq. Retrieved April 13, 2021.
- ^ Lynch, Joe (August 27, 2014). "Suicidal Tendencies Announce Death of Bassist Tim 'Rawbiz' Williams". Billboard. Retrieved April 13, 2021.
- ^ "Chiodos Part Ways With Drummer & Bassist, Announce Replacements". Theprp.com. September 3, 2014. Retrieved April 13, 2021.
- ^ Childers, Chad (February 21, 2016). "Suicidal Tendencies Tap Former Slayer/Philm Drummer Dave Lombardo for Tour". Loudwire. Retrieved April 13, 2021.
- ^ Wise, Lauren (November 17, 2014). "Slayer, Exodus, Suicidal Tendencies – Comerica Theatre – 11/15/2014". Phoenix New Times. Retrieved April 13, 2021.
- ^ "'Ra' Díaz: El nuevo bajista Suicidal Tendencies es chileno" (in Spanish). Biobio TV. February 25, 2016. Retrieved April 13, 2021.
- ^ "Dave Lombardo To Play Drums For Suicidal Tendencies On Megadeth Tour". Blabbermouth.net. February 20, 2016. Retrieved April 13, 2021.
- ^ "Suicidal Tendencies Set Release Date For New Album". Blabbermouth.net. June 19, 2016. Retrieved April 13, 2021.
- ^ "Suicidal Tendencies Recruits The Dillinger Escape Plan's Ben Weinman For Upcoming Shows". Blabbermouth.net. July 3, 2018. Retrieved April 13, 2021.
- ^ "Mike Muir Explains Dave Lombardo's Absence From Suicidal Tendencies' Recent Shows". Blabbermouth.net. December 17, 2021. Retrieved March 6, 2024.
- ^ "Suicidal Tendencies Enlist Viral Drumming Sensation Greyson Nekrutman As Their Newest Member". Theprp.com. April 19, 2023. Retrieved March 6, 2024.
- ^ "Ex-Slipknot Drummer Jay Weinberg Officially Joins Suicidal Tendencies". Blabbermouth.net. March 5, 2024. Retrieved March 6, 2024.
- ^ Krol, Charlotte (October 31, 2023). "Watch Metallica's Robert Trujillo fill in for his son at Suicidal Tendencies show". NME. Retrieved October 31, 2023.