From The Archives

Suicide
-Chronology-

(New York City June 1970 - 15-July-2016)
Suicide 1978
Alan Vega and Marty Rev in front of CBGB, New York City, May 1978. Photo credit: © Adrian Boot (UrbanImage). Used with kind permission.


Chronology: a chronological overview of known concert dates (some with setlists and/or ads), 
dates of studio recordings, all line-ups and other trivia related to the American band Suicide.
Date format is DD-MMM-YY.

-Information in grey italics is uncertain-

1960-1969
Alan graduates from Brooklyn College and marries Mariette.
Martin is in several free-jazz bands, marries Mari and they have 4 children.

Boruch Alan Bermowitz (a.k.a. Alan Vega) was born in the Bronx, New York (US) on the 23rd of June 1938 as the son of a working-class diamond setter. He spent his childhood (with father Louie, mother Tillie and younger brother Robert) in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn (NYC). In the late 50s he studied fine art and physics at Brooklyn College in Manhattan with Ad Reinhardt and Kurt Seligmann, graduating in 1960 (1956 Yearbook photo, aged 18).

In October 1960, at the age of 22, Alan married Mariette -Mindele- Birencwajg, who had also graduated from Brooklyn College. Mariette (of Polish ancestry and born in Belgium in December 1938) survived the holocaust, hiding in Belgium throughout the war. In 1951, at the age of 12, with her father Abraham she moved to Brooklyn (US), where they had family. Alan and Mariette live at a one-bedroom apartment in a new building on Ocean Parkway. Mariette teaches French at a local high school and Alan has a job as a social worker for the Welfare Department. Alan managed to escape being drafted for the war in Vietnam. Soon Alan quits his job and sets up a studio in their apartment, painting and drawing. After returning from a visit to Belgium and Paris, the couple move to an apartment on Albemarle Road. It is then that Alan first started creating light sculptures. When the flat became too small he moved his project to a studio in Park Slope, where he had his first art show in 1968. On December 31, 1969 Alan leaves Mariette for another woman, their marriage had lasted for 9 years.

By September 1969 Vega is working (as a janitor), creating (light sculptures) and living at the "Museum: A Project of Living Artists", a large workshop/performance warehouse art space on the corner of Waverly Place and Broadway funded by the New York State Council of the Arts. It's here where in the summer of 1969 he meets Martin Rev, who performs there with his avant-garde jazz band Reverend B. Alan attends 2 concerts by The Stooges at the Pavilion in Flushing Meadows Park on September 3 and 4, 1969 and is blown away by Iggy's performance.

Martin Reverby (Rev) was born uptown New York City (and raised in the Bronx), on the 18th of December, 1947, as the son of a working-class union organizer. In 1967 Martin's wife Mari Montgomery is part of Julian Beck's "The Living Theatre". Martin and Mary met at the Village Vanguard in 1967, two years later they had 4 years children (2 of their own and 2 from Mari's earlier relationship). Marty is then 22 years old.

Alan, Martin along with Mari started experimenting with improvized music at the "Project of Living Artists". One of the first songs they create is "Methedrine Mary". When by mid 1970 Martin's avant garde-jazz band Reverend B ceased to exist Vega and Rev decided to form their own. Alan is then 32 years old.

Link to a superb discography of Suicide (and more). Recommended reading: "Suicide - No Compromise", a great oral history book by David Nobakht (SAF Publishing 2005) as well as "Dream Baby Dream: Suicide: A New York City Story", a book by Kris Needs (Omnibus Press 2015). Facebook fangroup Revega Music.






1970
The year in which the band is founded and perform their first live shows.

Line-up #1 (New York City: 1970-1971):
Nasty Cut/Punk [Alan Vega] (guitar/trumpet/vocals)/ Cool P. [Paul Liebegott] (guitar) and Marty Maniac [Martin Rev] (drums/keyboard)

New York 19-Jun-70

19-Jun-70
US NY,New York City,MUSEUM- A Project of Living Artists

Ad: Scan of ad from Village Voice 18-Jun-70.

Note: First Suicide shows. Series of Friday nights @ the Project of Living Artists, an experimental arts lab (founded in 1968 by eight artists, including Arthur Hughes, Gary Smith, Sharon Brant, and Robert Resnick), then situated @ 729 Broadway, corner of Waverly Place. Paul Liebegott at the time was a sculptor (and later film maker) working at the Project.


New York 10-Oct-70

10-Oct-70
US NY,New York City,MUSEUM- A Project of Living Artists

Flyer: Sourced from @suicidebandofficial.

Ad: Scan of advert from Village Voice 08-Oct-70.

Note: Labeled as "Punk Music". Free entrance.


New York November 1970

xx-Oct-70
US NY,New York City,MUSEUM- A Project of Living Artists

Flyer: Taken from "Fucked Up and Photocopied", a book by Bryan R. Turcotte and Chris Miller.

Note: Labeled as "Punk Music". Series of Friday nights @ the Project of Living Artists.


New York November 1970

xx-Nov-70
US NY,New York City,MUSEUM- A Project of Living Artists

Photo: Scan of photo reproduced in "Suicide - No Compromise", a book by David Nobakht.

Note: Another of the Friday night shows @ the Project.


New York 20-Nov-70

20-Nov-70
US NY,New York City,OK Harris Gallery (@ 465 West Broadway)

Postcard: Reproduction taken from "Punk, An Aesthetic", a book edited by Johan Kugelberg and Jon Savage (Rizzoli, 2012).

Note: Labeled as "Punk Music". Early shows included songs as "Methedrine Mary", "Speed Queen" and "Junkie Jesus". Art dealer Ivan Karp had opened his OK Harris Gallery in 1969. The next year, Alan Vega signed with Karp, who displayed his light sculptures.


New York MUSEUM 1970

25-Nov-70
US NY,New York City,MUSEUM- A Project of Living Artists

Photo: Photo from the "first-year" issue of MUSEUM periodical (64-pages).

Note: Another of the Friday night shows @ the Project. After the show on the 25th they hear that jazz legend Albert Ayler's body had been found floating in the East River, at the foot of the Congress Street Pier. He had taken the ferry at Liberty Island and jumped overboard. He was only 34 years old.


Village Vanguard 13-Dec-70

13-Dec-70
US NY,New York City,Village Vanguard
(at 5PM)

Flyer: Reproduction taken from "Punk, An Aesthetic", a book edited by Johan Kugelberg and Jon Savage (Rizzoli, 2012).

Ad: Scan of advert from Village Voice 10-Dec-70.

Note: Labeled as "Punk Music". Sunday matinee performance. The club, located at 178 Seventh Avenue South, opened on February 22, 1935. Owner Max Gordon, switched to an all-jazz repertoire in 1957 and had many performances by Thelonious Monk, Miles Davis, Bill Evans, Charles Mingus, Pharoah Sanders and all the other jazz greats. Martin Rev was a regular at the Vanguard and became known to the owner, Max Gordon. Marty met his future wife Mari Montgomery at the club in 1967.






1971
About a dozen of shows the first half of the year, several times at Ungano's and at the Museum, where Alan is an artist.

New York 07-Jan-71

New York 08-Jan-71

07-Jan-71
US NY,New York City,Ungano's (2 sets)
[with The Sun & The Moon]

08-Jan-71
US NY,New York City,Ungano's (2 sets)
[with The Sun & The Moon]

09-Jan-71
US NY,New York City,Ungano's (2 sets)
[with The Sun & The Moon]

Ad: Scan taken from the Village Voice 07-Jan-71.

Flyer: Sourced from @suicidebandofficial.

Note 1 : A basement club (capacity 250), located at 210 West 70 street, opened in 1964 and run by two Italian brothers, Arnie and Nicky Ungano. The club closed down on March 30, 1971.

Note 2: "There were only about 19 people there. We did two sets that night and I walked out after the first feeling great. It was a great set. I walked out to get a little air and when I came back Arnie Ungano said, “Listen, I can’t have you back here tomorrow night.” I said, “What are you talking about?” He said, “You guys are like 99 Iggy Stooges. Do you realize the people who were there went screaming out of that room and wanted their money back immediately? They were scared.” To me, it was like the end of the world. It’s not like we had a life besides this. This was the life. He was a great guy and I stalled him, I said, “Arnie, why don’t you come back to the dressing room, let’s talk about it with the other guys.” By the time he got to the dressing room, Arnie turned around and he said, “Hey, you know what, come back tomorrow night.” He actually broke out a bottle of scotch or something, gave it to us. The next night Ungano’s was full and nobody ran out. Arnie said, “You know what it is, when the room is full like that, nobody’s scared.” I think the second night we played one of those gigs it was full for a bachelor party. The guy who’s getting married was sitting in the front row. That became quite a chaotic fight night. They got very pissed, I think Alan blew some smoke in one guy’s face, and from there it all lit up like a match. The material was finding itself, we weren’t finding it. In that sense, we weren’t writing any songs at all.". Martin Rev interviewed @ Red Bull Music Academy Daily.


New York 29-Jan-71

29-Jan-71
US NY,New York City,Ungano's (@ 210 West 70 street)

Flyer: Taken from "Fucked Up and Photocopied", a book by Bryan R. Turcotte and Chris Miller.


New York 30-Jan-71

30-Jan-71
US NY,New York City,Ungano's (@ 210 West 70 street)

Ad: Scan taken from the Village Voice 21-Jan-71.


New York City 07-Feb-71

07-Feb-71
US NY,New York City,MUSEUM- A Project of Living Artists

Photo: Scan of cassette tape taken from "Suicide" CD/hardback book (BMG/Mute records, 2019).

Note: Rehearsals ("Ave Maria") recorded at the Museum.


Line-up #1 (New York City: 1971):
Nasty Creep [Alan Vega] (vocals)/ Cool P. [Paul Liebegott] (guitar) and Dropout [Martin Rev] (Wurlitzer electric piano/snare drum and cymbal).

New York 13-Mar-71

13-Mar-71
US NY,New York City,MUSEUM- A Project of Living Artists
(at midnight)

Ad: Scan taken from the Village Voice 11-Mar-71.

Note: Labeled as "Punk Mass At Midnight".


New York 14-Mar-71

14-Mar-71
US NY,New York City,Village Gate
[with Milkwood Tapestry, Fat Alice from Dallas]

Ad: Scan taken from the Village Voice 11-Mar-71.

Note: Sunday afternoon show. Art D'Lugoff opened the The Village Gate in 1958, on the ground floor and basement of 160 Bleecker Street in Greenwich Village. Marty Rev used to hang out at his club. Throughout its 38 years it had shows by all the jazz greats: John Coltrane, Coleman Hawkins, Duke Ellington, Dizzy Gillespie, Bill Evans, Miles Davis ..., as well as rock acts like Velvet Underground (1966), Jimi Hendrix (1970), Blondie (1977), Patti Smith (1977), Talking Heads (1977),...


New York 09-Apr-71

09-Apr-71
US NY,New York City,Supernova (@ 451 Broadway)

10-Apr-71
US NY,New York City,Supernova (@ 451 Broadway)

Ad: Scan taken from the Village Voice 08-Apr-71.

Note: Labeled as "Punk Music".


New York 04-May-71

04-May-71
US NY,New York City,Crawdaddy's (former Birdland @ 1674 Broadway)

Flyer: Reproduction taken from "Punk, An Aesthetic", a book edited by Johan Kugelberg and Jon Savage (Rizzoli, 2012).

Ad: Scan taken from the Village Voice 29-Apr-71.

Note: Labeled as "Punk Music".


New York 09-May-71

09-May-71
US NY,New York City,Crawdaddy's (former Birdland @ 1674 Broadway)
[with Zoot Sims and his big band]

Poster: Reproduction taken from "Dream Baby Dream: Suicide: A New York City Story" a book by Kris Needs.

Note: Labeled as "Punk Music".


New York 11-Jun-71

11-Jun-71
US NY,New York City,MUSEUM- A Project of Living Artists
(at midnight)

12-Jun-71
US NY,New York City,MUSEUM- A Project of Living Artists
(at midnight)

Ad: Scan taken from the Village Voice 10-Jun-71.

Note: Labeled as "A Punk Music Mass".


New York 10-Sep-71

10-Sep-71
US NY,New York City-Greenwich Village,Gaslight Au Go Go

Flyer: Scan of flyer sourced from Suicidebandofficial (Instagram).

Note: The Gaslight club moved to the former Cafe Au Go Go (which had closed down late 1969) on 152 Bleeker in April 1971 and was renamed the "Gaslight Au Go Go". The band's performance was cut short when the plug was pulled after only one song.


New York 25-Sep-71

25-Sep-71
US NY,New York City,Lincoln Center,Damrosch Park-Guggenheim Bandshell
[support for Steven Inkwhite Tintweiss (from the Albert Ayler band) with James DuBoise]

Poster: Reproduction taken from "Dream Baby Dream: Suicide: A New York City Story" a book by Kris Needs.

Note: Labeled as "Punk Music". Cassette tape of the performance. About 8 people are in the audience, sitting on the park benches. During 1969, Marty played 6 six shows as member of Steve Tintweiss's free jazz band, with James DuBoise.






1972
Paul Liebgott returns to his career as sculptur. Suicide are now a duo.
Very few live shows during this year as well, but luckily a sort of 'residency' at the Mercer Arts Center gives them some exposure.

Line-up #2 (New York City: 1972-1974):
Alan Vega (vocals) and Marty Rev (Wurlitzer electric piano/Japanese organ/snare drum and cymbal).

New York 07-Apr-72

07-Apr-72
US NY,New York City,OK Harris Gallery (@ 465 West Broadway)

Flyer: Taken from "No Compromise", a book on Suicide by David Nobakht.

Note: Labeled as "Punk Music".


xx-xxx-72
US NY,New York City,A SoHo art gallery


New York City 30-May-72

30-May-72
US NY,New York City,Mercer Arts Center-The Kitchen (@ 240 Mercer Street)

31-May-72
US NY,New York City,Mercer Arts Center-The Kitchen (@ 240 Mercer Street)

Flyer: Sourced from @suicidebandofficial.

Note: Labeled as "Punk Music". First appearance at the Mercer Arts Center.


New York City 28-Jun-72

28-Jun-72
US NY,New York City,Mercer Arts Center-Oscar Wilde Room (@ 240 Mercer Street)

Flyer: Taken from "Fucked Up and Photocopied", a book by Bryan R. Turcotte and Chris Miller.

Note: Labeled as "Punk Music Mass".


New York City 04/25-Oct-72

New York City 04/25-Oct-72

New York City 18/25-Oct-72

04-Oct-72
US NY,New York City,Mercer Arts Center-Oscar Wilde Room

11-Oct-72
US NY,New York City,Mercer Arts Center-Oscar Wilde Room

18-Oct-72
US NY,New York City,Mercer Arts Center-Oscar Wilde Room

25-Oct-72
US NY,New York City,Mercer Arts Center-Oscar Wilde Room

Flyer: Labeled as "Suicide performs a Punk Music Mass". Taken from "No Compromise", a book on Suicide by David Nobakht.

Ad 1: Labeled as "A Punk Music Mass". Scan taken from the Village Voice 28-Sep-72.

Ad 2: Labeled as "Punk, Junk, Sewer Music". Scan taken from the Village Voice 19-Oct-72.

Note: Start of a residency on Wednesdays, starting from 04-Oct-72. Roy Hollingworth [of UK music mag Melody Maker] covered the band's show on the 11th in an article published on October 21, 1972.


01-Nov-72
US NY,New York City,Mercer Arts Center-Oscar Wilde Room

Note: Part of the residency on Wednesdays. Reviewed in the "Riffs" section of Village Voice on November 9, 1972.


New York City 08-Nov-72

08-Nov-72
US NY,New York City,Mercer Arts Center-Oscar Wilde Room

Ad: Scan taken from the Village Voice 09-Nov-72.

Note: Part of the residency on Wednesdays.


New York City 15-Nov-72

15-Nov-72
US NY,New York City,Mercer Arts Center-Oscar Wilde Room

Ad: Scan taken from the Village Voice 09-Nov-72.

Note: Part of the residency on Wednesdays.






1973
Another year with only limited live activity (just half a dozen of shows).

New York City 11-Feb-73

11-Feb-73
US NY,New York City,Mercer Arts Center-The Kitchen
Endless Valentine's Day/All-Night Party
[with The New York Dolls, Wayne County, Magic Tramps, Ruby and the Rednecks]
(all-night party from 10PM till dawn)

Ad: Scan of ad taken from the Village Voice 08-Feb-73.

Note: Event promoted by David Krebs, Steve Leber and Marty Thau (Marty was then manager of The New York Dolls). Suicide billed as "Alan Suicide". Suicide perform at the tiny "Kitchen" room.


New York City 01-Apr-73

01-Apr-73
US NY,New York City,Mercer Arts Center-Blue Room Cabaret

Ad: Scan taken from the Village Voice 29-Mar-73.


New York City 25-May-73

25-May-73
US NY,New York City,Project (of Living Artists) (@ 133-135 Greene Street)
(10PM)

Photo: Credit Paul Zone. Taken from his photobook "Playground" (Glitterati 2014).

Photo: Scan of flyer.

Note: Labeled as "A Punk Mass". By May 1972, the Project of Living Artists had moved from 729 Broadway to 133-135 Greene Street.


New York City 25/26-May-73

26-May-73
US NY,New York City,Project (of Living Artists) (@ 133-135 Greene Street)
(10PM)

Ad: Scan taken from the Village Voice 24-May-73.

Note: Labeled as "A Punk Mass".


New York City 03-Aug-73

03-Aug-73
US NY,New York City,Broadway Central Hotel/Mercer Arts Center collapses.

Note: On the 3rd of August the Broadway Central Hotel collapses as well as part of the Mercer Arts Center where the band had a residency starting as per October 1972. Photo taken from the Daily News on 07-Aug-73.


New York City 29-Sep-73

29-Sep-73
US NY,New York City-Manhattan,Talent Recon Inc. Theatre (@ 203 West 38th Street)
[with Sniper]

06-Oct-73
US NY,New York City-Manhattan,Talent Recon Inc. Theatre (@ 203 West 38th Street)
[with Sniper]

Ad: Scan taken from the Village Voice 27-Sep-73.

Note: Labeled as "Rock in the land of limbo". Sniper is an early Joey Ramone (then named Jeff Starship) band. Talent Recon was a rehearsal studio by day that decided to host gigs, mainly on weekends.


New York City 26-Oct-73

26-Oct-73
US NY,New York City,The Circus
(former Electric Circus @ the Ukranian National Hall, 23 St.Marks Place)
[with The Dogs and Distance]

Poster: Scan of original poster courtesy of Sonny Vincent . Thanks Sonny!

Note: Distance were Sonny Vincent's [The Testors] first band.






1974
A year with about a dozen of live shows, a first at Max's and CBGB's.

New York City 15/16-Feb-74

15-Feb-74
US NY,New York City,Project (of Living Artists) (@ 133-135 Greene Street)
(10PM)

16-Feb-74
US NY,New York City,Project (of Living Artists) (@ 133-135 Greene Street)
(10PM)

Ad: Scan taken from the Village Voice 14-Feb-74.

Note: Labeled as "Dream Rock".


New York City 25-Feb-74

25-Feb-74
US NY,New York City,Brandy's II
[with Flight]

Ad: Scan taken from the Village Voice 21-Feb-74.

Note: Brandy's II then located @ 84 York Avenue (btwn 83rd & 84th St).


New York City 16-Mar-74

16-Mar-74
US NY,New York City,Townhouse Theater (@ 120 West 44th street)
[support for The Fast]

Photo: Credit Paul Zone. Taken from his photobook "Playground" (Glitterati 2014). The Fast are Paul, Miki and Mandy Zone.

Note: The Townhouse Theater was a former small (88-seater) art movie theater in Times Square, where the Modern Lovers had played in January and Television did their first show on March 2, 1974. These days it's the location of The Long Room, an Irish bar, located where Midtown meets Times Square and the Theater District.


New York City 17-Mar-74

17-Mar-74
US NY,New York City,Townhouse Theater
[support for The Fast]

Flyer: Reproduction taken from "Punk, An Aesthetic", a book edited by Johan Kugelberg and Jon Savage (Rizzoli, 2012).

Ad: Scan taken from the Village Voice 14-Mar-74.


New York City 30-Mar-74

30-Mar-74
US NY,New York City,Townhouse Theater
[support for The Fast]

31-Mar-74
US NY,New York City,Townhouse Theater
[support for The Fast]

Ad: Scan taken from the Village Voice 28-Mar-74.


New York City 12-Apr-74

12-Apr-74
US NY,New York City-Manhattan,Talent Recon Inc. Theatre (@ 203 West 38th Street)

Photo: Google street view, 2014.

Note: "The last gig we played [at Talent Recon] was around Good Friday and that night after everyone went home there was a big fire in the studio (and the building probably) and that was the end of the club. When we spoke to Tony (the owner) a few days later he told us what happened and sincerely felt the fire was our doing because we did “Junkie Jesus” which was one of our regular songs. The song was actually about a street kid named Jesus [...]." Marty Rev quoted in "Suicide - No Compromise", by David Nobakht.


New York City 07/08-Jun-74

07-Jun-74
US NY,New York City,CBGB Club (@ 315 Bowery)
[support for The Fast]

08-Jun-74
US NY,New York City,CBGB Club (@ 315 Bowery)
[support for The Fast]

Flyer: Reproduction taken from Paul Zone's photobook "Playground" (Glitterati 2014).

Ad: Scan taken from the Village Voice 06-Jun-74.

Note: Labeled as "Dream Rock". Their first engagement at CBGB. CBGB used to be called "Hilly's On The Bowery" (since 1969) and was renamed and re-opened in March 1974 (after Kristal's other club "Hilly's In The Village" was closed down).


New York City 28/29-Jun-74

28-Jun-74
US NY,New York City,Blow Your Nose/Project (of Living Artists) (@ 133-135 Greene Street)
(10PM)

29-Jun-74
US NY,New York City,Blow Your Nose/Project (of Living Artists) (@ 133-135 Greene Street)
(10PM)

Ad: Scan taken from the Village Voice 27-Jun-74.

Note: Labeled as "Rocket Rock".


New York City 06-Aug-74

06-Aug-74
US NY,New York City,Max's Kansas City

Ad: Scan taken from the Village Voice 01-Aug-74.

Note: Labeled as "Rocket Rock". Their first engagement at Max's, the next would be only 1.5 years later. In December Mickey Ruskin's Max's would close down due to 3 fires, thefts, unpaid tabs and too many drugs. It would re-open on July 14, 1975 under the ownership of Tommy Dean Mills, who enlisted Peter Crowley, former booker @ Mothers. Craig Leon attends, he would, in the summer of '77, produce together with Marty Thau the band's first self-titled album. Craig Leon also would produce the debut albums of The Ramones, Blondie and Richard Hell.






1975
The year in which Marty can afford to buy a secondhand Seeburg rhythm machine ( The Rhythm Prince). Marty's set-up now includes a Farfisa keyboard with Electro-Harmonix distortion devices, other electronics and the rhythm machine. With this equipment they write and record a batch of new songs, but after Max's closed and before Mothers opened, they hardly perform live in 1975.

Line-up #2 (New York City: 1975- July 2016):
Alan Vega (vocals) and Marty Rev (keyboards/electronics/drum machines).

Project of Living Artists 1974

1975
US NY,New York City,Alan's basement studio at "Project of Living Artists" (then located @ 133-135 Greene street)

Recording among others: "Speed Queen"(*), "Creature Feature", "Tough Guy", "A-Man", "Sneakin' Around", "Too Fine For You", "See You Around", "Be My Dream", "Space Blue Mambo", "Spaceship", "Into My Eyes" (*) (mislabeled "Space Blue" on the "Half Alive" tape), "C'mon Babe" (an early "Cheree"), "New City" and "Do It Nice", all of which appeared on "The First rehearsal Tapes" CD (Blast First 1999). (*) Available on the "Half Alive" tape/CD (Roir), together with "Long Talk".

Photo: Google street view 2016, hosting a Dior clothing store these days.


Sundragon studio 1975

1975
US NY,New York City,Sundragon studio (@ 9 West 20th Street, between 5th and 6th Avenue)
Recording among others: "Dreams" (early version of "Dream Baby Dream"), available on the "Half Alive" tape/CD (Roir).

At this studio, in 1976, the Ramones recorded their "Leave Home" album and Talking Heads their "77" album.

Photo: Google street view 2014.


New York City 15-Oct-75

15-Oct-75
US NY,New York City-Chelsea,Mothers (@ 267 West 23rd Street)
[with The Outkids]

Flyer: Scan of flyer.

Note: Mothers was across from the Chelsea Hotel.


Dec-75
US NY,New York City-Chelsea,Mothers (@ 267 West 23rd Street)

Note: Thursday night's residency which started in December 1975. Headlining for the first time thanks to Peter Crowley, then the new booker at Mothers, and manager of Wayne County for whom he started the (punk) rock shows at Mothers mid '75. Later Peter would be enlisted at the re-opened Max's.


Oct/Nov/Dec-75
US NY,New York City,Club 82
(a drag and transvestite bar)

Note: Club 82 was a famous old drag place (on 82 East 4th Street, between 2nd Avenue & the Bowery). The club was opened in 1951 as a lesbian hangout by the Maffia boss Vito Genovese's bisexual wife, Anne. Is was also, one of the many, centers of Genovese's heroin trafficking on East Fourth street. By the 70's the club was run by two bull dykes, Tommy and Butch, who as of late 1972 turned Wednesday nights over to the live bands on the glitter rock scene. When Max's Kansas City closed for the first time (end 1974 ), Club 82 became the place to be. It finally faded in '75/'76 (by then Max's had re-opened), when it was invaded by the disco crowd. In 1978 it became Film Forum, followed by an all-male stripper club.


Oct/Nov/Dec-75
US NY,New York City,Project of Living Arts (@ 133-135 Greene street)
(several shows)






1976
The year in which they record their first single. Live performances are mainly @ Mothers, Max's and CBGB's.

New York City 12-Jan-76

12-Jan-76
US NY,New York City-Chelsea,Mothers (@ 267 West 23rd Street)

19-Jan-76
US NY,New York City-Chelsea,Mothers (@ 267 West 23rd Street)

26-Jan-76
US NY,New York City-Chelsea,Mothers (@ 267 West 23rd Street)

Flyer: Photo of flyer.

Note: Start of a Monday night residency.


Rocket USA/Keep Your Dreams acetate
Rocket USA/Keep Your Dreams acetate

1976
US NY,New York City,Suicide's home studio @ the "Project of Living Artists" (then located at 133-135 Greene street),recording "Rocket USA" and "Keep Your Dreams" (a.k.a. "Dream Baby Dream"). Both tracks were cut with a disc cutting lathe onto two 7" acetate copies by Angel Sandoval [owner of Angel Sound]. One copy was put on the jukebox at Max's by Peter Crowley, where it was heard by (former New York Dolls manager) Marty Thau. The other copy went to a radio station, who were doing a half-hour documentary on Suicide and wanted the single. Later in the year "Rocket USA" was released on the "V/A: Max's Kansas City 1976" LP (RAM 1976), which was first re-released as "V/A: Max's Kansas City - New York New Wave" LP (CBS 1978) and later on CD (Roir 1996). Recently reissued once more on "Max's Kansas City 1976 & Beyond" 2LP/2CD (Jungle records 2017).

Also recorded were "Frankie Teardrop, The Detective Meets The Space Alien" and "Ghost Rider", both of which ended up on the Vega 70th anniversary 10" series. Respectively on Lydia Lunch: "Frankie Teardrop" and Primal Scream: "Diamonds" (Blast First Petite 2008/2009). "Ghost Rider" also released on the V/A: "Punk Legends: The American Roots" CD (Jungle Records 1997).

Acetate: Angel Sound (@ 1576 Broadway, New York City) was opened by Angel "Sandy" Sandoval in 1966 and existed until the late 1970's. They created test records for disco, soul, gospel and reggae groups, but also for Abba ("Dancing Queen",1976), Billy Joel ("New York State of Mind",1976), Bruce Springsteen (at least 4 in 1972), Rolling Stones ("Gimmie Shelter" and "Let It Bleed",1969) etc... Acetates were also an easy way to copy or “bootleg” a record that was no longer available, and disco club DJs used studios like Angel Sound to make copies of rare recordings so they could play them into their sets.


New York City 09-Mar-76

09-Mar-76
US NY,New York City,Max's Kansas City
[with Matthew Mouzon & Somebody Good]

Ad: Scan taken from the Village Voice 08-Mar-76.

Note: First return to Max's since '74. Peter Crowley, former booker @ Mothers, books them regularly.


New York City 13-Apr-76

13-Apr-76
US NY,New York City,Max's Kansas City,Easter Rock Festival
[with Talking Heads, Harry Toledo, Pere Ubu]

Setlist: Rocket USA/ and more..

Ad: Scan taken from the Village Voice 12-Apr-76.

Note: "Rocket USA" is available on the V/A: "Punk Legends: The American Roots" CD (Jungle Records 1997). Recorded by Peter Crowley and initially included on the promo LP "Max's Kansas City Presents" New Wave Hits For The 80's" (MKC 1981). Talking Heads cancelled at the last minute. "During 'Rocket USA' you can hear a glass break at one point, that's Alan taking a sideways swing with the microphone into someone's beer bottle that was sitting on the table". (Peter Crowley quoted in "Dream Baby Dream: Suicide: A New York City Story" a book by Kris Needs).


New York City 30-May-76

30-May-76
US NY,New York City,Manhattan Center
(Benefit for Wayne County)

Ad: Scan of ad.

Note: Organised by Peter Crowley, Barbara Rothwell and Leee Black Childers.
During a show at CBGB's (March 1976) Wayne County had smashed a microphone stand over Dick Manitoba's [of The Dictators] collarbone when Dick was heckling him. Dick Manitoba had to be hopitalized and sued Wayne for it. Other bands artists performing at this benefit are: Walter Lure/ Blondie/ Jerry Nolan/ Wayne County & Back Street Boys/ The Planets/ Jackie Curtis/ Dee Dee Ramone/Mick Ronson/ Mink DeVille/ Divine/ Johnny Thunders/ The Dolls/ Tuff Darts/ Richard Hell/ Cherry Vanilla & her Station Island Band/ Ian Hunter/ The April Lawton Band and Holly Woodlawn. All proceeds go to the Wayne County legal defence fund.


New York City 09-Mar-76

05-Jun-76
US NY,New York City,Max's Kansas City
[with The Brats]
(2 sets)

06-Jun-76
US NY,New York City,Max's Kansas City
[with The Brats]
(2 sets)

Ad: Scan taken from the Village Voice.

Note: Ad shows Friday and Saturday, but it was actually on a Saturday and a Sunday see other add from the Village Voice. Two sets a night, one at midnight, the next at 3AM. The '76 shows @ Max's ,and Peter Crowley's support, started to build Suicide's legend.


New York City 30-Jul-76

30-Jul-76
US NY,New York City,Max's Kansas City
[with Pezband + Kongress]

Ad: Scan taken from the Village Voice Jul-76.


New York City 05-Sep-76

05-Sep-76
US NY,New York City,Max's Kansas City
[with Congress + DMZ]

Ad: Scan taken from the Village Voice 05-Sep-76.


Boston 30-Sep-76

30-Sep-76
US MA,Boston,The Rathskeller/The Rat Club (basement room)
[with DMZ]

Ad: Scan of ad from The Boston Phoenix Vol.5 #39, 28-Sep-76.

Note: The various artists compilation album "Live At The Rat" was recorded at this club from 27/29-Sep-76, featuring band like: Willie Alexander, Real Kids, Thundertrain, Third Rail, Susan, Marc Thor, DMZ etc..


New York City 01-Nov-76

01-Nov-76
US NY,New York City,CBGB
[with The Cramps and The Dead Boys]

Ad: Scan taken from the Village Voice 01-Nov-76.

Note: First ever show by The Cramps (on a Monday night audition showcase).


New York City 06-Nov-76

06-Nov-76
US NY,New York City,Max's Kansas City
[with The Infliktors + Riot]

Ad: Scan taken from the Village Voice 08-Nov-76.


New York City 27-Nov-76

27-Nov-76
US NY,New York City,Max's Kansas City
[with The Cramps and Fuse]

Ad: Scan taken from the Village Voice 22-Nov-76.

Flyer: Design Mari Rev. Taken from "Fucked Up and Photocopied", a book by Bryan R. Turcotte and Chris Miller.


New York City 17-Dec-76

17-Dec-76
US NY,New York City,Max's Kansas City
[with The Cramps and Jango Edwards]

Ad: Scan taken from the Village Voice 13-Dec-76.


New York City 23-Dec-76

23-Dec-76
US NY,New York City,CBGB
[with The Ramones]

24-Dec-76
US NY,New York City,CBGB
[with The Ramones]

25-Dec-76
US NY,New York City,CBGB
[with The Ramones]

Ad: Scan taken from the Village Voice 20-Dec-76.






1977
The year in which Marty Thau (former New York Dolls manager) resurrects Suicide from obscurity. They sign to his Red Star records label, record and release their first album. Breakthrough year in which they do several supports acts for The Ramones and Blondie at Max's and CBGB's.

New York City 14-Jan-77

14-Jan-77
US NY,New York City,Max's Kansas City
[with The Cramps and Mink DeVille]

Photo: Credit Ebet Roberts. Sourced from Gettyimages/Redferns music photo libraries.

Ad: Scan of ad from the Village Voice January, 1977.


New York City 03/05-Feb-77

03-Feb-77
US NY,New York City,CBGB
[support for The Ramones]

04-Feb-77
US NY,New York City,CBGB (2 sets)
[support for The Ramones]

Setlist: (1st set) Rock 'N' Roll (Is Killing My Life)/ 96 Tears [Question Mark And The Mysterians]/ Creature Feature/ Rocket USA/ (Junkie) Jesus.. and more..

Note: The Ramones played first at the Nassau Coliseum,Uniondale (as support for Blue Oyster Cult) and were scheduled to perform at CBGB's the same night, but could not make it on time to the club. Suicide where then asked to play a 2nd set in front of an audience expecting to see The Ramones. Eventually The Ramones turned up and did their set.

05-Feb-77
US NY,New York City,CBGB
[support for The Ramones]

Ad: Scan taken from the Village Voice 07-Feb-77.


Boston 12-Feb-77

12-Feb-77
US MA,Boston,The Rathskeller/The Rat Club (basement room)
[with Willie Loco Alexander]

13-Feb-77
US MA,Boston,The Rathskeller/The Rat Club (basement room)
[with Willie Loco Alexander]

Ad: Scan of ad from The Boston Phoenix Vol.6 #6, 08-Feb-77.

Note: At one of these shows they meet their future producer and supporter Ric Ocasek [of The Cars].


New York City 24-Mar-77

24-Mar-77
US NY,New York City,Max's Kansas City
[with The Cramps]

Ad: Scan taken from the Village Voice 21-Mar-77.


New York City 25-Mar-77

25-Mar-77
US NY,New York City,Max's Kansas City
[with The Cramps]

Ad: Scan taken from the Village Voice 28-Mar-77.


New York City 26-Apr-77

26-Apr-77
US NY,New York City,CBGB
[with Hot Lunch and China]

Note: China later became Mars.

Ad: Scan of ad from Village Voice 25-Apr-77.


New York City 04-May-77

04-May-77
US NY,New York City,CBGB
Punk magazine benefit
[with Blondie, Alex Chilton, Dead Boys, Cramps, Patti Smith Group, Richard Hell,etc..]

Setlist: Ghost Rider/ 96 Tears [Question Mark And The Mysterians]/ Che/ Che (reprise)/ instrumental/ Rocket USA/ (Junkie) Jesus.

Ad: Scan of ad from Village Voice May-77.

Note: The benefit continued on 05-May-77.


June 1977
US NY,New York City,Vega and Rev sign a recording deal with Marty Thau's Red Star label.


New York City 22-Jun-77

22-Jun-77
US NY,New York City,CBGB
[with Fuse and Mars]

Ad 1: Scan of advert from the Village Voice Jun-77.

Ad 2: Microfilm image from the Village Voice 22-Jun-77.

Note: Mars had just changed their name from "China" (the CBGB show on the 14th was still as "China" and the ad 1 still shows "China").


New York City 07-Jul-77

07-Jul-77
US NY,New York City,Max's Kansas City
[with The Cramps, Devo]

08-Jul-77
US NY,New York City,Max's Kansas City
[with The Cramps, Devo]

09-Jul-77
US NY,New York City,Max's Kansas City
[with The Cramps, Devo]

Setlist: (09-Jul-77 1st set) Ghost Rider/Frankie Teardrop/Che/Rocket USA.
Setlist: (09-Jul-77 2nd set) Night Time Is The Right Time/ Ghost Rider/ Keep Your Dreams (a.k.a. Dream Baby Dream)/ Rocket USA/ 96 Tears [Question Mark And The Mysterians].

Ad: Scan taken from the Village Voice 11-Jul-77.


New York City summer '77

1x/18-Jul-77
US NY,Blauvelt,Ultima Sound studio,recording their first -self titled- album ("Ghost Rider", "Rocket USA", "Cheree", "Johnny", "Girl", "Frankie Teardrop" and "Che"), as well as "I Remember" and "Keep Your Dreams" in only 4 days. Engineered by Larry Alexander. Produced by Craig Leon and Marty Thau. Mixed during the summer by Marty Rev, Marty Thau and Craig Leon. Marthy Thau's remix of "Cheree" b/w "I Remember" was released as a (7"/12") single (Bronze records, 1978). "Keep Your Dreams" added as extra track on several reissues of the "Suicide" album.

September 1977
US NY,New York City,Frankford/Wayne Mastering Labs (@ 1697 Broadway), mastering of their first album by George Piros. At the time, the Labs were used by disco label Prelude Records. Currently the location of the Ed Sullivan Theater, where the CBS TV program "The Late Show" is being recorded.

Tracksheet: Scan, taken from "Suicide" CD/hardback book (BMG/Mute records, 2019).

Note: The Ultima Sound studio (located @ 585 Route 303, Blauvelt), formally called 914 (after telephone area code) Studios, is where Bruce Springsteen had recorded for his first 3 albums ("Greetings..", "The Wild.." and "Born To Run"). These days it is "Blauvelt Auto Spa", a car wash.


New York City 08/11-Sep-77

08-Sep-77
US NY,New York City,CBGB
[support for Blondie, with Walter Steding]

09-Sep-77
US NY,New York City,CBGB
[support for Blondie, with Walter Steding]

10-Sep-77
US NY,New York City,CBGB
[support for Blondie, with Walter Steding]

11-Sep-77
US NY,New York City,CBGB
[support for Blondie, with Walter Steding]

Ad: Scan taken from the Village Voice 05-Sep-77.


New York 29-Sep-77

29-Sep-77
US NY,New York City,CBGB
[with Teenage Jesus & The Jerks]

Setlist: 96 Tears [Question Mark And The Mysterians]/ Ghost Rider/ Rocket USA/ Cheree/ Johnny/ Frankie Teardrop

Ad 1: Scan taken from Tues.Night Issue #4, Sep 20, 1977.

Ad 2: Scan of advert from the Village Voice 03-Oct-77

Note: Available on the "Live 1977-1978" CD box (Blast First 2008). Recorded, from the audience, by Eric Maché [Evil Ernie comic] with a Sony Cassette recorder TC-150.


New York City 27/28-Oct-77

27-Oct-77
US NY,New York City,CBGB
[support for The Ramones]

28-Oct-77
US NY,New York City,CBGB's
[support for The Ramones]

29-Oct-77
US NY,New York City,CBGB's
[support for The Ramones, with The Boyfriends]

30-Oct-77
US NY,New York City,CBGB's
[support for The Ramones, with The Boyfriends]

Ad: Scan taken from the Village Voice 31-Oct-77.

Note: Suicide supports on all dates.


New York City 01-Dec-77

01-Dec-77
US NY,New York City,CBGB
[with DMZ and The Real Kids]

02-Dec-77
US NY,New York City,CBGB
[with DMZ and The Real Kids]

03-Dec-77
US NY,New York City,CBGB
[with DMZ and The Real Kids]
(2 sets)

Setlist: 2nd set: Ghost Rider/ (Junkie) Jesus/ Frankie Teardrop/ Put A Little Love In Your Heart.

Ad 1: Scan of advert taken from the Village Voice Nov-77.

Ad 2: Scan of ad taken from the Village Voice 05-Dec-77.

Note: Available on the "Live 1977-1978" CD box (Blast First 2008). Recorded by Eric Maché [Evil Ernie comic], from the audience, with a Sony Cassette recorder TC-150.


Boston 08-Dec-77

08-Dec-77
US MA,Boston,The Rathskeller/The Rat Club (basement room)
[with DMZ and Nervous Wrecks]

09-Dec-77
US MA,Boston,The Rathskeller/The Rat Club (basement room)
[with DMZ and Nervous Wrecks]

10-Dec-77
US MA,Boston,The Rathskeller/The Rat Club (basement room)
[with DMZ and Nervous Wrecks]

Ad: Scan of ad from The Boston Phoenix Vol.6 #49, 06-Dec-77.

Photo: Photos by Robert Post.

Note: Elvis Costello, just after playing a 2nd show at The Paradise Club on December 10, tries to get into the Suicide show. Alan Vega was supposed to have him on as guest, but the Rat's management was saying they never heard of him and that he was a nobody.


28-Dec-77
US Release of their first -self titled- album (Red Star).

Note: Review of the album ("Suicide Is Meaningless") by Tom Carson taken from the Village Voice 30-Jan-78. Lester Bangs championed the release in his piece, "The Joy Of Suicide", published in Soho Weekly News, May 28, 1978.






1978
Breakthrough year #2, in which they tour Europe as support for Elvis Costello and the UK as support for The Clash.

San Francisco 03/04-Jan-78

03-Jan-78
US CA,San Francisco,Mabuhay Gardens
[with Nick Gilder, Negative Trend]

04-Jan-78
US CA,San Francisco,Mabuhay Gardens
[with U.X.A, Sleeper]

Flyer: Photo of flyer.

Photo: Photo by Bruce Conner taken from Search & Destroy #5, 1978. Another version, taken from glossy photo inserted with Superior Viaduct's 2016 vinyl release of the debut album.

Ad: Scan of ad, taken from San Francisco Examiner 01-Jan-78.


San Francisco 06/07-Jan-78

06-Jan-78
US CA,Los Angeles,The Masque
[with The Avengers, The Dills, Liars and F-Word]

07-Jan-78
US CA,Los Angeles,The Masque
[with The Avengers, The Dills, Liars and F-Word]

Poster: Scan taken from "Punk: An Aesthetic", a book edited by Johan Kugelberg and Jon Savage.

Note: Suicide does not play on the 7th, most likely due to the double booking @ The Palladium in New York City the same day.


New York City 07-Jan-78

07-Jan-78
US NY,New York City,The Palladium
[support for The Ramones, with The Runaways]

Setlist: Rocket USA/ Cheree/ Dance/ Frankie Teardrop.

Ad: Scan of ad taken from the Village Voice 08-Jan-78.

Photo: Photo of marquee, by Roberta Bayley.

Note: Available on the "Live 1977-1978" CD box (Blast First 2008). Recorded by Eric Maché [Evil Ernie comic], from the audience, with a Sony Cassette recorder TC-150.


New York City 13-Jan-78

13-Jan-78
US NY,New York City,Max's Kansas City
[with The Works]

Setlist: Ghost Rider/ Rocket USA/ Cheree/ Dance/ 96 Tears [Question Mark And The Mysterians]/ Frankie Teardrop.

Note: Available on the "Live 1977-1978" CD box (Blast First 2008). Recorded by Eric Maché [Evil Ernie comic], from the audience, with a Sony Cassette recorder TC-150.

Ad: Scan of ad taken from the Village Voice 16-Jan-78.


New York City 02/04-Feb-78

02-Feb-78
US NY,New York City,CBGB (2 sets)
[with The Fleshtones & The Contortions]

03-Feb-78
US NY,New York City,CBGB (2 sets)
[with The Fleshtones & The Contortions]

Setlist: Harlem/ Ghost Rider/ Keep Your Dreams (a.k.a. "Dream Baby Dream")/ Dance/ Frankie Teardrop.

Ad 1: Scan of ad taken from the Village Voice Jan-78.

Ad 2: Scan of advert taken from the Village Voice Jan-78.

Note: Available on the "Live 1977-1978" CD box (Blast First 2008). Recorded by Howard Thompson (of Bronze records), from the audience, with a Sony Cassette recorder TC-205.


New York City 02/04-Feb-78

04-Feb-78
US NY,New York City,CBGB (2 sets)
[with The Fleshtones & The Contortions]

Setlist: (1st or 2nd) Dance/ Ghost Rider/ 96 Tears [Question Mark And The Mysterians]/ Rocket USA/ Frankie Teardrop.

Ad: Scan of ad taken from the Village Voice 06-Feb-78.


1978
US PA,Philadelphia,University of Pennsylvania
[with Pure Hell]


Philadelphia 21-Feb-78

21-Feb-78
US PA,Philadelphia,Hot Club

Ad: Scan of ad, taken from Philadelphia Inquirer 17-Feb-78.


New York City 30-Mar-78/01-Apr-78

30-Mar-78
US NY,New York City,CBGB (2 sets)
[with The Real Kids]

31-Mar-78
US NY,New York City,CBGB (2 sets)
[with The Real Kids]

Setlist:(1st set) Ghost Rider/ Rocket USA/ Speed Queen/ Harlem.
Setlist:(2nd set) Dance/ Ghost Rider/ 96 Tears [Question Mark And The Mysterians]/ Frankie Teardrop.

01-Apr-78
US NY,New York City,CBGB(2 sets)
[with The Real Kids]

Setlist: Rocket USA/ Ghost Rider/ Cheree/ Frankie Teardrop.

Ad 1: Scan of advert taken from the Village Voice Mar-78.

Ad 2: Scan of ad taken from the Village Voice 03-Apr-78.


New York City 07-May-78

07-May-78
US NY,New York City,CBGB
Johnny Blitz benefit
[with The Dead Boys, The Senders,..]

Note: On 20-Apr-78 Johnny Blitz (a.k.a. John Madansky, drummer of The Dead Boys) was nearly stabbed to death by 5 Puerto Rican thugs. To pay for his hospital costs this 4 day benefit (May 4-7) was organized.

Ad: Scan of ad taken from the Village Voice.


May 1978
UK Release of the "Cheree (remix)/I Remember" 7"/12" single (Bronze).


Toronto 01-Jun-78

01/03-Jun-78
CA ON,Toronto,The Horseshoe Tavern
[with Destroy All Monsters and Teenage Head]

Setlist: All Night Long (aka "Dance")/ ..and more.

Poster: Scan of poster.

Note: Above track available on the "Half Alive" tape/CD (Roir). Three nights in a row. Bands headline on one night each. Gary Topp and Gary Cormier started booking bands @ The Horseshoe Tavern in March 1978. It lasted until December 1978, when The Horseshoe’s owners opted to revert to country music.


09-Jun-78
FR Metz,Salle Braun,3e Festival International de la Science-Fiction et de l'Imaginaire
(Third International Science Fiction festival)

Setlist: Rocket USA/ Ghost Rider/ Frankie Teardrop..and more.

Review: Taken from ATEM #15 February 1979, (a French fanzine founded in 1975 by Gérard Nguyen).

Note: First time in Europe. Main guest speaker is SF writer Frank Herbert ("Dune"). Also first European screening of David Lynch's "Eraserhead" film.


Dumfries-Collin 11-Jun-78

11-Jun-78
UK Dumfries-Collin,Calamity Jane's Stagecoach Hotel
[with The Actors]

Article: Scan taken from Dumfries and Galloway Standard.

Note: Warm-up gig for their two-months European/UK tour.


Brussel 16-Jun-78

16-Jun-78
BE Brussel,Ancienne Belgique
[support for Elvis Costello]

Setlist: Ghost Rider/ Rocket USA/ Cheree/ Dance/ Frankie Teardrop.

Poster: Photo of poster.

Note: First date of the Elvis Costello tour support. Available on the "Live 1977-1978" CD box (Blast First 2008) and on the 2nd CD of the first album CD re-release (Blast First 1998). Recorded by Howard Thompson (of Bronze records) with a Sony Cassette-Corder TC-205.

Infamous concert that ends in a 'riot'. Half of the audience applauds, but the other half is impatient to see Elvis Costello. They start booing, throwing chairs and during "Frankie Teardrop" someone grabs Vega's microphone. It was only after Costello had finished his -truncated- set and did not want to do any encore that the place turned into a full scale riot and the police needed to intervene and clear the place.

Initially released on an official 12" bootleg (free with the December 1978 issue of the NME) called "21½ Minutes In Berlin/23 Minutes In Brussels" and later on a 9" double-sided live flexidisc called "23 Minutes in Bruxelles" (free with the 1980 first album reissue on Red Star). Tour manager/sound mixer on the European/UK tour is Charles Ball (Lust/Unlust company).


Paris 18-Jun-78

18-Jun-78
FR Paris,Olympia
[support for Elvis Costello]

Setlist: Ghost Rider/ Rocket USA/ Cheree/ Dance/ Frankie Teardrop.

Review: Scan taken from Feeling magazine July 1978,courtesy of Dominique.

Note: Available on the "Live 1977-1978" CD box (Blast First 2008). Recorded by Howard Thompson (of Bronze records), from the audience, with a Sony Cassette recorder TC-205.


Zürich 19-Jun-78

19-Jun-78
CH Zürich,Volkshaus
[support for Elvis Costello]

Setlist: Ghost Rider/ Rocket USA/ 96 Tears [Question Mark And The Mysterians]/ Dance/ Frankie Teardrop.

Review 1: Scan of 3 reviews from No Fun, No.9 -July 1978." People have split into two camps. Some thought it was sensational, others said they'd never heard such nonsene in their lives. I'm one of the former, because what these two guys offer is as delicious to me as a glass of freshly poured beer. [...] It would have been nice if Suicide had played for two hours. The audience would have had to choose between going or staying. This sound does not tolerate compromises. You love it or you hate it. [...]"
"[...]The audience still doesn't know what to think of Suicide. Well, I don't really know [either], but somehow [they] fascinate me. I stand there like [someone] hypnotized."

Review 2: Scan of review from Der Bund 24-Jun-78. "Well, the 'music' (shrill synthesizer sounds mixed with inarticulate yelling) of the top punks from the [United] States was nothing more than musical suicide: tasteless, fastidious, beyond any criticism."

Note: Support on the Elvis Costello tour.


München 20-Jun-78

20-Jun-78
DE München,Schwabingerbrau
[support for Elvis Costello]

Poster: Photo of poster.

Note: Support on the Elvis Costello tour.


22-Jun-78
NL Amsterdam,Carré Theater
[support for Elvis Costello]

Review: Geert Kistemaker writes in newspaper the Leidse Courant, June 24, 1978: "The support act, the avant-garde duo Suicide, let out sounds from a rhythm machine operated by Martin Rev and animalistic cries by singer Alan Vega. The pretentious duo was therefore within minutes booed by the entire hall, under protest from the singer who called the audience rich people. Then he mumbled something about starving children in Harlem, after which an angry spectator wrestled his microphone."

Note: Support on the Elvis Costello tour.


Den Haag 23-Jun-78

23-Jun-78
NL Den Haag,Congresgebouw,Prins Willem-Alexander zaal
[support for Elvis Costello]

Ad: Scan of ad, taken from Leidse Courant 22-Jun-78.

Note: Also this Suicide concert ended in booing and light rioting after about 45 minutes, when Costello refused to do an encore. From the newspaper the Leidsch Dagblad, June 24, 1978 (translated): "Because pop singer Elvis Costello just after ten o'clock last night did not do an encore after his main performance at the Hague, a portion of the 1500 people caused damages amounting to an estimated 25000 (Dutch) guilders. Destroyed were about seventy seats in the hall, doors were damaged, windows smashed and one person threw a large quantity of beer cans in the direction of the stage. The organization then had to lower the fire curtains. The police conducted eight arrests outside of the Congress building. The persons arrested, who had used violence, were taken to the police station."


Apeldoorn 22-Jun-78

25-Jun-78
NL Apeldoorn,Orpheus Theater
[support for Elvis Costello]

Listing: Scan of listing, taken from De Volkskrant 23-Jun-78.

Note: Support on the Elvis Costello tour. The show was intended as a Sunday evening concert, but was moved to the afternoon (at 14:00), because the Dutch soccer team played (and lost) the final for the World Cup soccer against Argentina!


26-Jun-78
NL Nijmegen,De Vereeniging
[support for Elvis Costello]

Note: Support on the Elvis Costello tour.


Groningen 27-Jun-78

27-Jun-78
NL Groningen,Evenenmentenhal
[support for Elvis Costello]

Setlist: (A.o) Frankie Teardrop/..

Flyer: Scan of flyer thanks to Paul Schwarte.

Ad: Scan of advert, taken from Nieuwsblad van het Noorden 26-Jun-78.

Review: Review taken from Leeuwarder courant 01-Jul-77. After 20 minutes they announce the last song with ""We hope to never see you again".

Note: Support on the Elvis Costello tour.


Hamburg 28-Jun-78

28-Jun-78
DE Hamburg-Rotherbaum,University of Hamburg-Audimax
[support for Elvis Costello]

Setlist: Rocket USA/ Cheree/ Harlem/ 96 Tears [Question Mark And The Mysterians]/ Harlem.

Poster: Photo of poster. Photo of alternative poster.

Note: Available on the "Live 1977-1978" CD box (Blast First 2008). Recorded by Frank Martin Strauss [a.k.a. FM Einheit, then of Abwärts, later of Einstürzende Neubauten].


Berlin 29-Jun-78

29-Jun-78
DE Berlin-Charlottenburg,Kant Kino (@ Kantstrasse 54)

Setlist: Ghost Rider/ Rocket USA/ Cheree/ Harlem/ 96 Tears [Question Mark And The Mysterians].

Poster: Photo of poster.

Note: Elvis Costello's show was cancelled and moved to the next day at the larger Neue Welt. Most likely Suicide did the Kant Kino show on their own. Available on the "Live 1977-1978" CD box (Blast First 2008),listed as "Kant Kino/Neue Welt June 30 1978" and also released on the "Zero Hour" CD (Red Star 1997). Recorded by sound mixer Charles Ball (Lust/Unlust company). Initially released on an official 12" bootleg (free with the December 1978 issue of the NME) called "21½ Minutes In Berlin/23 Minutes In Brussels". On the "Live 1977-1978" CD box recording, the intro to the song "96 Tears" has the word 'spicks' (a.k.a. Latino) (as in the sentence: "written by a bunch of spicks from Detroit, Michigan") beeped out.


Berlin 30-Jun-78

30-Jun-78
DE Berlin-Neukölln,Neue Welt (@ Hasenheide 107)
[support for Elvis Costello]

Setlist: Ghost Rider/ Rocket USA/ 96 Tears [Question Mark And The Mysterians]/ Dance/ Harlem.

Ticket: Scan of ticket.

Poster: Photo of poster, still listing Kant Kino as location.

Photo: Photo credit Stephan Mieke.

Note: Kant Kino @ Neue Welt. Available on the "Live 1977-1978" CD box (Blast First 2008) where it's listed as "Kant Kino/Neue Welt June 30 1978 - Set 2", but it's unlikely they did 2 sets as support for Costello. So this must be 2 seperate shows. Recorded by sound mixer Charles Ball (Lust/Unlust company). On the "Live 1977-1978" CD box recording, the intro to the song "96 Tears" has the word 'spicks' [a.k.a. Latino] (as in the sentence: "written by a bunch of spicks from Detroit, Michigan") beeped out. Alan jumps off stage into the audience hassling and pushing 3 identically dressed men, who turned out to be Kraftwerk! Neue Welt is these days called Huxleys Neue Welt.


UK Clash tour July 1978

UK Clash tour July 1978

01-Jul-78
UK Leicester,Granby Hall
[support for The Clash, with The Specials/Coventry Automatics]

02-Jul-78
UK Manchester,Apollo
[support for The Clash, with The Specials/Coventry Automatics]

04-Jul-78
UK Glasgow,Apollo
[support for The Clash, with The Specials/Coventry Automatics]

05-Jul-78
UK Aberdeen,Music Hall
[support for The Clash, with The Specials/Coventry Automatics]

Poster 1: Top poster (design Nick Egan) taken from the "Live 1977-1978" CD Box (Blast First 2008).

Poster 2: Bottom poster (design Nick Egan, photo Adrian Boot) reproduction, taken from "Too Fast To Live, Punk & Post Punk Graphics 1976-1986", a book by Andrew Krivine.

Note: Support on The Clash's "Out On Parole" tour, which had started on the 28th of June in Aylesbury, then the 29th in Leeds and the 30th in Sheffield. All 3 dates were without Suicide who were still touring Germany with Elvis Costello. The Glasgow Apollo gig is the scene of the infamous axe incident.


Dunfermline 06-Jul-78

06-Jul-78
UK Dunfermline,Kinema Ballroom
[support for The Clash, with The Specials/Coventry Automatics and The Skids]

Ad: Scan from UK mag.


UK Tour 07-Jul-78

07-Jul-78
UK Release of their first self titled album (Bronze Records).

Ad: Photo of ad from NME 06-Jul-78.


07-Jul-78
UK Chester-Deeside,Leisure Centre
[support for The Clash, with The Specials]
(Cancelled)


Crawley 08-Jul-78

08-Jul-78
UK Crawley,Sportscentre
[support for The Clash, with The Specials]

Ticket: Photo of ticket.

Note: Support on the Clash's "Out On Parole" tour.
"From the back of the hall I saw skinheads climbing up the PA stack like cockroaches ascending a dinner table. A big lad just strode across the stage and whacked Martin Rev [or was it Alan Vega?- Ed.], breaking his nose. Roadies grappled with him, and he fought to free his arm so he could face the crowd and punch the air in triumph, like he'd scored a winning goal. They pulled him to the side of the stage, where [roadie] English stood, legs apart, waving a knife at the baying crowd. It didn't calm anyone down. [..] To their credit, Suicide finished their set despite Rev's broken nose. Backstage, we watched him, covered in blood, leave for the hospital." from "A Riot Of Our Own", a book (on the Clash) by Johnny Green.


UK Clash tour July 1978

UK Clash tour July 1978

09-Jul-78
UK Bristol,Locarno
[support for The Clash, with The Specials/Coventry Automatics]

10-Jul-78
UK Torquay,Town Hall
[support for The Clash, with The Specials/Coventry Automatics]

11-Jul-78
UK Cardiff,Top Rank
[support for The Clash, with The Specials/Coventry Automatics and Spizz 77]

12-Jul-78
UK Birmingham,Top Rank
[support for The Clash, with The Specials/Coventry Automatics]

13-Jul-78
UK Liverpool,Empire
[support for The Clash, with The Specials/Coventry Automatics]
(The Clash re-scheduled to the 22nd, without Suicide)

13-Jul-78
UK Blackburn,King George's Hall
[support for The Clash, with The Specials/Coventry Automatics]
(Replacement gig for the cancelled Liverpool gig)

14-Jul-78
UK Bury St. Edmunds,Corn Exchange
[support for The Clash, with The Specials/Coventry Automatics]

Poster 1: Top poster (design Nick Egan) taken from the "Live 1977-1978" CD Box (Blast First 2008).

Poster 2: Bottom poster (design Nick Egan, photo Adrian Boot) reproduction, taken from "Too Fast To Live, Punk & Post Punk Graphics 1976-1986", a book by Andrew Krivine.

Note: Support on the Clash's "Out On Parole" tour. At Blackburn they were arrested by a police officer, named Mr. Ray, for possession of hash. The event is later recollected in the song "Mr.Ray".


14-Jul-78
UK Release of the "Cheree (remix) /I Remember" 7"/12" single (Bronze Records).


Birmingham 17-Jul-78

17-Jul-78
UK Birmingham,Barbarellas

Listing: Scan taken from Record Mirror 15-Jul-78.

Note: On their own, not part of The Clash tour. The band had been booked into the club's side room, 'The Pose', where a wedding party took place.


London 18-Jul-78

18-Jul-78
UK London,The Marquee (on Wardour Street)
[with Joe Lung]

Setlist: Sister Ray Says/ Dance/ and more...

Ad: Scan from UK mag.

Note: On their own, not part of The Clash tour. Above tracks available on the "Half Alive" tape/CD (Roir). Recorded by sound mixer Charles Ball (Lust/Unlust company).


Plymouth 21-Jul-78

21-Jul-78
UK Plymouth,The Metro

Handbill: Photo of handbill.

Listing: Scan of listing taken from Record Mirror 22-Jul-78.

Note: On their own, not part of The Clash tour.


London 24/27-Jul-78

UK Clash tour July 1978

24-Jul-78
UK London-Camden,Music Machine
[support for The Clash, with The Specials]

Setlist: Ghost Rider/ Rocket USA/ Dance/ Harlem/ Cheree.

Ad: Scan of ad from NME 22-Jul-78.

Poster: Poster (photo Adrian Boot) reproduction, taken from "Too Fast To Live, Punk & Post Punk Graphics 1976-1986", a book by Andrew Krivine.

Note: Support on the Clash's "Out On Parole" tour. Available on the "Live 1977-1978" CD box (Blast First 2008). Recorded by Howard Thompson (of Bronze records) with a Sony Cassette-Corder TC-205. " [A] word about the support band, Suicide. They once again showed the yawning gap between theory and practice. People constantly scream for the space and platform to be individual, but when an audience encounters something radically new which doesn't fit the fashion requirements, some feel they have to chuck glasses and hurl abuse. Still, Suicide remain proud and partially won through, despite the hail of plastic mugs, the chants of "Clash! Clash! Clash" and a hamfisted sound mixer. Their electronic toasting [..] veers wildly between the truly awful and the overwhelmingly hypnotic." Reviewed by Ian Birch for Melody Maker 25-Jul-78.


London 25-Jul-78

25-Jul-78
UK London-Camden,Music Machine
[support for The Clash, with The Specials]

Note: Support on the Clash's "Out On Parole" tour.

Ad: Scan of ad from UK mag.


London 24/27-Jul-78

26-Jul-78
UK London-Camden,Music Machine
[support for The Clash, with The Specials]

Setlist: Ghost Rider/ Rocket USA/ 96 Tears [Question Mark And The Mysterians]/ Harlem.

27-Jul-78
UK London-Camden,Music Machine
[support for The Clash, with The Specials]

Setlist: Ghost Rider/ Rocket USA/ Johnny/ Frankie Teardrop/ Cheree/ Mr. Ray.

Note: Last 2 dates as support on the Clash's "Out On Parole" tour.

Ad: Taken from the "Live 1977-1978" CD Box (Blast First 2008).


Manchester 28-Jul-78

28-Jul-78
UK Manchester,The Factory bar @ Russel Club
[with Joy Division and The Actors]

Flyer: Taken from the "Live 1977-1978" CD Box (Blast First 2008).


Liverpool 29-Jul-78

29-Jul-78
UK Liverpool,Eric's
[with The Actors]

Setlist: Mr. Ray/ Rocket USA/ Cheree/ Ghost Rider/ 96 Tears [Question Mark And The Mysterians]/ Frankie Teardrop.

Flyer: Scan of flyer.

Note: Available on the "Live 1977-1978" CD box (Blast First 2008). Recorded by Howard Thompson (of Bronze records) with a Sony Cassette-Corder TC-205. "Mr. Ray" is about the events at Blackburn (15-Jul-78) where they were arrested by a police officer, named Mr. Ray, for possession of hash.


Edinburgh 31-Jul-78

31-Jul-78
UK Edinburgh,Tiffany's
[with The Actors]

Flyer: Photo of flyer.

Interview: Alan Vega: "Marty and I were on stage in some big club playing disco music and they had some big ball. [A] disco ball! And Marty and I said, 'Uh oh - watch out. Watch out...' And it turned out that the guys were all black and they were dancing to our music. And this was Edinburgh. And I remember thinking, 'Holy shit! What do I do now?! People are dancing to Suicide' And they were really beautiful and exquisite and I thought, 'I'm finished! My life is over with' [LAUGHS]. But then I said, 'Marty, Marty, it's alright, it's alright, it's four o'clock in the morning, it's ok!" (interview by Harry Sword, The Quietus, August 5th, 2015).


Leeds 01-Aug-78

01-Aug-78
UK Leeds-Chapeltown,The F-Club @ Roots
[with The Actors]

Listing: Scan taken from Record Mirror 29-Jul-78.

Note: On their own, not part of The Clash tour.


New York City 25-Aug-78

25-Aug-78
US NY,New York City,Max's Kansas City
[with The Fleshtones]

Setlist: Ghost Rider/ Rocket USA/ Cheree/ Mr Ray/ Johnny/ Harlem.

Note: Available on the "Live 1977-1978" CD box (Blast First 2008). Recorded by Eric Maché with a Sony Cassette recorder TC-150.

26-Aug-78
US NY,New York City,Max's Kansas City
[with The Fleshtones]

Ad: Scan of ad taken from The Village Voice 28-Aug-78.


Boston 01-Sep-78

01-Sep-78
US MA,Boston,The Paradise
[support for The Cars]
(2 shows 08:30 and 11:00)

02-Sep-78
US MA,Boston,The Paradise
[support for The Cars]
(2 shows 08:30 and 11:00)

03-Sep-78
US MA,Boston,The Paradise
[support for The Cars]
(2 shows 08:30 and 11:00)

Ad: Scan of ad from The Boston Phoenix Vol.7 #35, 29-Aug-78.


Philadelphia 21-Sep-78

21-Sep-78
US PA,Philadelphia,University of Pennsylvania,Milk Bar
[with The Reds and screening of The Cramps movie]

Flyer: Photo of flyer.


New York City 22/23-Sep-78

22-Sep-78
US NY,New York City,Hurrah
[with The Terrorists]

23-Sep-78
US NY,New York City,Hurrah
[with The Terrorists]

Setlist: (one of these dates) Ghost Rider/ Mr Ray- (Junkie) Jesus/ Keep Your Dreams (a.k.a. "Dream Baby Dream")/ Las Vegas Man/ Night Time/ 96 Tears [Question Mark And The Mysterians]/ Harlem.

Ad: Scan of ad taken from the Village Voice 25-Sep-78.

Note: Hurrah was opened in November 1976 by Arthur Weinstein. It pioneered the use of videos with monitors around the club. The club became notorious for an incident on December 4, 1978, when Sid Vicious got into a fight with Todd Smith (brother of Patti Smith) resulting in the incarceration of Vicious for two months in Rikers Island. Hurrah closed on May 27, 1981.


New York City 02-Nov-78

02-Nov-78
US NY,New York City,CBGB
[with The Fleshtones, Walter Steding, Internationals]

Setlist: (1st set) Mr. Ray/ Ghost Rider/ "Keep Your Dreams" (a.k.a. "Dream Baby Dream")/ Harlem.
Setlist: (2nd set) Night Time/ Touch Me/ Las Vegas Man(*)/ Four Horsemen (a.k.a. "Radiation")/ Ghost Rider.

03-Nov-78
US NY,New York City,CBGB (2 sets)
[with The Model Citizens]

Setlist: (1st set) Ghost Rider/ (Junkie) Jesus/ Four Horsemen (a.k.a. "Radiation")/ Rocket USA.
Setlist: (2nd set) Dance/ Las Vegas Man/ 96 Tears [Question Mark And The Mysterians]/ Harlem/ Ghost Rider.

04-Nov-78
US NY,New York City,CBGB
[with Teenage Jesus and The Jerks, DNA and Walter Steding]

Setlist: (1st set) Johnny/ I Remember(*)/ Keep Your Dreams (a.k.a. "Dream Baby Dream")(*)/ Ghost Rider.
Setlist: (2nd set) Mr.Ray(*)/ Four Horsemen (a.k.a. "Radiation")(*)/ 96 Tears [Question Mark And The Mysterians]/ Harlem(*).

Ad: Scan of ad from the Village Voice 06-Nov-78.

Flyer: Photo of flyer for 02-Nov-78 show, courtesy of Music Vegan Society.

Note: Some tracks (*) have been released on 2nd CD ("Live at CBGB's 1978") that came with the first album re-release on Blast First/Mute (UK 1998) and partialy on the "Zero Hour" CD (Red Star 1997). Recorded by Marty Thau on a cassette recorder. The booklet included with the Blast First release wrongly lists 25-May-78 as the recording date, but on that day The Senders and The Contortions were performing at CBGB's according to this advert from the Village Voice 29-May-78.


New York City 01/02-Dec-78

01/02-Dec-78
US NY,New York City,Club 57 @ the Irving Plaza
[with Walter Steding, Robert Fripp, Blondie, B52's]
Nova Convention

Setlist: (01-Dec-78) Harlem/ Four Horsemen (a.k.a. "Radiation")/ Sweetheart/ Ghost Rider/Night Time.

Note: The Nova Convention had three days and nights of readings, panel discussions, film showings and various sorts of performances to celebrate the return of William S. Burroughs to the US. The Entermedia Theater, was located on Second Avenue and 12th Street and had in the fifties been the fabled Phoenix Theater. Other performers on the bill at the Nova Convention included Frank Zappa (reading "The Talking Asshole" routine from William S Burroughs' "Naked Lunch"), Patti Smith, Robert Anton Wilson, Bryon Gysin, Laurie Anderson, John Giorno, Timothy Leary, Philip Glass, John Cage, Anne Waldeman, Alan Ginsberg, Terry Southern, Ed Sanders, and Burroughs himself. Some of the rock concert parts took place @ the Irving Plaza, the rest @ the Enter Media Theater.

Flyer: Scan of flyer.

Program: Scan of program booklet.

Ad: Scan taken from the Village Voice 04-Dec-78.

Note: Club 57 was opened on February 8, 1978 by (Polish expat) Stan Strychacki and managed initialy by Chris Gremski and later in 1979 by Ann Magnuson and her collaborators (such as Eric Bogosian and Joey Arias). It was a hangout and venue for performance- and visual-artists and musicians, such as Keith Haring, John Sex, Wendy Wild, David McDermott, Jean-Michel Basquiat etc..

Club 57 operated at the same time at 2 locations. One (focussing on film/video screenings and "neo-Dada cabaret") was located in the basement of the Holy Cross Polish National Church @ 57 St.Mark's Place. Photo of the exterior of Club 57 credit Harvey Wang. The other (for larger live concert shows on Fridays and Saturdays), starting on July 14, 1978, was @ an old Polish dance hall called the Irving Plaza @ 17 Irving Place. The St.Mark's Place location ran until 01-Feb-83. The Irving Place location closed in 1986 and was re-opened in April 2007 as the "Fillmore New York At Irving Plaza".


New York City 03-Dec-78

03-Dec-78
US NY,New York City,Max's Kansas City
[with The Misfits]

Ad: Scan taken from the Village Voice 04-Dec-78.

Note: Show by the mysterious 'The Nothing' (Trixz Sly, Billy Rath [The Heartbreakers], Lousy Louie and Roy Travolta) with Alan Suicide/Vega.


New York City 28-Dec-78

28-Dec-78
US NY,New York City,Max's Kansas City
[with The Fleshtones + Walter Steding]

Setlist: (1st set) Dance/ Four Horsemen (a.k.a. "Radiation")/ Keep Your Dreams (a.k.a. "Dream Baby Dream")/ Harlem.

Setlist: (2nd set) Las Vegas Man/ Mr.Ray-Sister Ray/ Sweetheart/ Ghost Rider/ Frankie Teardrop/ Johnny.

Ad: Scan taken from the Village Voice 25-Dec-78.






1979
The year in which they record the "Dream Baby Dream"/"Radiation" single with the help of Ric Ocasek [The Cars],
but have only a limited number of live shows. Red Star records folds, the band sign to ZE records.

Right Track studio 1979

1979
US NY,New York City,Right Track studios (@ 168 West 48th street),recording in one day the "Dream Baby Dream" (formerly "Keep Your Dreams")/"Radiation" single. Engineered by Jay Burnett and produced by Ric Ocasek [of The Cars]. At the time Marty used a brand new Roland CR-78 Rhythm Machine ordered in by Ric.

The Roland CR-78 was also used by Blondie on their "Heart of Glass" smash hit.

Photo: Google street view 2016, when it was known as Legacy Studios and ceased operation in NYC.


1979
US NY,New York City,Suicide home studio,recording "Sweetheart" (a.k.a. "Love You"), "Touch Me" (a.k.a. "Cool As Ice") and "Shadazz" (a.k.a." Chezazze").
All available on the "Half Alive" tape/CD (Roir).


06-Feb-79
US NY,New York City,The Mudd Club
[with Walter Steding (with Debbie Harry on drums), The Fleshtones, Von LMO]
Red Star records - all night

Setlist: Mr Ray/ Ghost Rider/ Sweetheart (a.k.a. "Love You")/ Scream and Shout/ Harlem.

Note: The Mudd club was co-founded by Diego Cortez with Steve Mass and Anya Phillips, and opened on the 31st of October 1978, located at 77 White Street in downtown Manhattan.


New York City 08-Mar-79

08-Mar-79
US NY,New York City,Max's Kansas City
[with Internationals]

Setlist: (1st set) Touch Me/ Las Vegas Man/ Dream Baby Dream/ Ghost Rider/ Harlem.

Setlist: (2nd set) Spirit In The Sky/ Mr Ray/ Sweetheart/ Radiation.

Ad: Scan from the Village Voice.


New York City 07-Apr-79

07-Apr-79
US NY,New York City,CBGB
[with Bloodless Pharoahs]

Setlist: (1st set) Shadazz/ Mr Ray/ Life Is Short/ Harlem/ Touch Me/ Ghost Rider.

Setlist: (2nd set) Dream Baby Dream/ Radiation/Las Vegas Man.

Ad: Microfilm image from the Village Voice April 1979, courtesy of Jonathan Luftig.


New York City 13-Apr-79

13-Apr-79
US NY,New York City,Max's Kansas City
[with Walter Steding and Bloodless Pharoahs]
Max's Easter Rock Festival

Setlist: Sister Ray/ Dance/ Ghost Rider/ 96 Tears [Question Mark And The Mysterians]/ Las Vegas Man - Speed Queen/ Harlem.

Photo: Screen capture from "Inner Tube" TV show.

Note: Filmed by Paul Tschinkel for his "Innertube - New York Music New York" public access video show, that ran from 1979-1984 in Manhattan.

Ad: Microfilm image from the Village Voice April 1979, courtesy of Jonathan Luftig.


17-May-79
US NY,New York City,Hurrah
[with The Misfits]

Setlist: Frankie Teardrop/ Dance/ Johnny/ 96 Tears [Question Mark And The Mysterians]/ Che.


New York City 01-Jun-79

19-May-79
DE Berlin-Kreuzberg,SO36

2x-May-79
DE Berlin-Schöneberg,Dschungel Disco
(secret show)

22-May-79
DE Berlin-Kreuzberg,SO36

Poster: Reproduction taken from "Sympathy For The Devil - Art and Rock and Roll since 1967", exhibition catalogue published by the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago.

Article: "The night I screamed louder than Alan Vega", by Ian Wright. An account of the Dschungel show, taken from "City Primeval", a book curated by Robert Carrithers.


New York City 26-May-79

26-May-79
US NY,New York City,Max's Kansas City
[with Terrorists]

Setlist: (1st set) Night Time/ Ghost Rider/ Dream Baby Dream/ Radiation/ Sweetheart/ Harlem/ ?.

Setlist: (2nd set) Dance/ Ghost Rider/ Dream Baby Dream/ Radiation/ Rocket USA/ Sweetheart.

Ad: Scan from the Village Voice.


New York City 01-Jun-79

01-Jun-79
US NY,New York City,CBGB
[with Tragic Flaw and Bloodless Pharoahs]

Setlist: (1st set) Touch Me/ Ghost Rider/ Dream Baby Dream/ Las Vegas Man/ Four Horsemen (a.k.a. "Radiation").

Setlist: (2nd set) Rocket U.S.A./ Night Time/ 96 Tears [Question Mark And The Mysterians]/ Sister Ray/ Harlem.

Ad: Microfilm image from the Village Voice June 1979.


New York City 01-Jun-79

02-Jun-79
US NY,New York City,CBGB
[with Tragic Flaw and Bloodless Pharoahs]

Setlist: (2nd set) Shadazz/ Ghost Rider/ Dream Baby Dream/ Sister Ray/ Radiation/ Harlem.

Ad: Microfilm image from the Village Voice June 1979.


Paris 12-Jul-79

12-Jul-79
FR Paris,Les Bains Douches (9PM)

13-Jul-79
FR Paris,Les Bains Douches (9PM)

14-Jul-79
FR Paris,Les Bains Douches (1AM)

Poster: Photo of poster, designed by Loulou Picasso of the Bazooka collective.

Ticket: Scan of ticket for the 12th.

Note: Former public baths converted to a new-wave/post-punk club, which opened by (former antiques dealer) Jacques Renault on 21-Dec-78 and was closed in 1984.


New York City 21-Jul-79

21-Jul-79
US NY,New York City,Club 57 @ Irving Plaza
[with Bloodless Pharoahs]

Setlist: Rocket USA/ Ghost Rider/ Dream Baby Dream/ Night Time/ Radiation/ Harlem.

Ad: Taken from the Village Voice 23-Jul-79.


New York City 02-Aug-79

02-Aug-79
US NY,New York City,Club 57 @ Irving Plaza
Rock/City '79 Festival
[with The Marbles]

Ad: Taken from the Village Voice Aug-79.

Note: Broadcast live on WBAI-FM 99.5


New York City 05-Aug-79

05-Aug-79
US NY,New York City,Max's Kansas City
East Village Eye benefit
[with John Lurie, Niki Buzz Band, Tina Peel, Visitors]

Poster: Photo of poster, courtesy of Serge Ballaux (Revega Music FB group).

Ad: Scan of advert from the Village Voice.

Note: Suicide's participation cancelled and replaced by a performance by Alan Vega/Suicide with Anne Deon (on sax). John Lurie walked out, insulted after he was asked to go on later than scheduled. The East Village Eye, a monthly magazine, was published from May 1979 to January 1987.


Los Angeles 04-Sep-79

04-Sep-79
US CA,Los Angeles,Universal Amphitheatre
[support for The Cars]

05-Sep-79
US CA,Los Angeles,Universal Amphitheatre
[support for The Cars]

06-Sep-79
US CA,Los Angeles,Universal Amphitheatre
[support for The Cars]

Poster: Reproduction of poster.

Ad: Scan of advert, taken from Los Angeles Times 02-Sep-79.

Review 1: Scan of 04-Sep-79 show review, by Robert Hilburn taken from Los Angeles Times 06-Sep-79. "By the end of the second number, almost everyone in the 5200-seat Amphitheater was booing, shouting insults or heckling Suicide. It's easy to see why the joke in New York, I'm told, is that audiences wish the duo would live up to its name."

Review 2: Scan of review, taken from LA Weekly 14-Sep-79. "The opening band, Suicide, went over terribly. [...] their droning, monotonous music was as wrong for the Amphitheatre as it was for The Cars' audience. They were resoundingly booed from the stage, Vega murmuring something about "in six months you'll love us." I doubt it. [...] Ric Ocasek [...] thinks their music is "quite catchy. Everybody gets violently angry at them, though, which is what they intend." It worked winningly at the Amphitheatre."

Review 3: Scan of review, taken from the St.Petersburg Times 28-Sep-79.

Note: Dates as support on The Cars' "Candy-O" tour.


Hollywood 08-Sep-79

07-Sep-79
US CA,Hollywood,The King's Palace

08-Sep-79
US CA,Hollywood,The King's Palace
[with Nervous Gender, Bpeople and Monitor]

Flyer: Photo of flyer credit of Steven Rascoe.

Ad: Scan of advert from LA Weekly 07-Sep-79.

Note: The King's Palace, formerly the Greektown restaurant, was Brendan Mullen's [the Masque before, later Club Lingerie and Viper Room] new club. "We had to cancel the gig(s) with The Cars in San Diego to do our own headlining gigs. Marty Thau had arranged for us to do some gigs for this club owner. They turned out to be a big mistake, they were such thieves and low-lifes. We had to cancel two or three gigs set up after the first one, and Marty Thau had to tell them we were not coming back. They were stealing our shit, and they would not pay us. This was sleazy-ass Hollywood shit." Martin Rev quoted in "Suicide - No Compromise", book by David Nobakht.


08-Sep-79
US CA,San Diego,Sports Arena
[support for The Cars]

Note: Dates as support on The Cars' "Candy-O" tour. Suicide cancelled this show to do some on their own.


The Midnight Special xx-Sep-79

1x-Sep-79
US CA,Los Angeles,Burbank,NBC TV show
The Midnight Special -Season #8 Episode #2

Setlist: Guests (performing live): The Cars- "Let's Go"/ "Moving in Stereo"/ "Candy-O"/ "The Dangerous Type"/ Got a Lot on My Head"/ "Nightspots"// Suicide- "Dream, Baby Dream"/ "Ghost Rider"// The Records- "Starry Eyes"/ "Teenarama"/ "Affection Rejected"/ "All Messed Up and Ready to Go"//

Music Videos (promo clips): M- "Pop Muzik"// Iggy Pop- "Five Foot One"/ "I'm Bored"// Lene Lovich- "Lucky Number"/"Say When".

Photo: Screen capture from video.

Note: Burt Sugarman's music TV show. Program hosted by The Cars. Recording date could be 17-Sep-79. First broadcast on 28-Sep-79 (Los Angeles Times 23-Sep-79). "Dream, Baby Dream" (from this show) available on the Bruce Springsteen/Suicide 10" (Blast First Petite 2008).


Minneapolis 22-Sep-79

22-Sep-79
US MN,Minneapolis,University of Minesota-Fieldhouse
Marathon '80: A New-No-Now Wave Festival (aka "M-80")

Flyer: Photo (by FromTheArchives) of flyer.

Photo: Photo by Mike Barich. Martin Rev (with local Molly Brown) backstage at M-80.

Note: Two day-festival, 5,000 people attended. Day 1: (Saturday) Eddie & the Hot Rods (UK), The Records (UK), The Pop, Suburbs, Girls, The Personals, Monochrome Set (UK), The Feelies, The Fleshtones, Dark Day; Day 2: (Sunday) James Chance and the Contortions, DEVO, Richard Lloyd Quartet, Gary Valentine & the Know, The Brains, Chris Stamey and the dBs, Tuxedomoon, NBB, ...

Martin Rev was present, but Alan Vega did not show up.


Hollywood 24-Sep-79

24-Sep-79
US CA,San Francisco,Deaf Club
[with Noh Mercy]

Note: Show cancelled.

Flyer: Photo of flyer.


xx-xxx-79
US DC,Washington,-


Frankie Teardrop 08-Oct-79

08-Oct-79
US NY,Soho Television (Manhattan Cable TV) - Channel 10
broadcast of the "Frankie Teardrop" video.

Photo: Screen capture from video.

Flyer: Scan of flyer, designed by Steve Latham.

Note: Video (10:25) directed by Paul Dougherty and Walter (Mike) Robinson. Produced by Edit deAk. Red Star Records, 1978. Program presented by Ghost Films (members Edit DeAk, Anne Deleon, Peter Grass, Walter (Mike) Robinson and Alan Vega). Paul Dougherty's story on the making of the video. Jaime Davidovich launched Soho TV around 1976.


October 1979
US Suicide signs to ZE records, a New York Disco, Electro and No Wave label launched by Michael Zilkha and Michel Esteban in 1978. ZE had a long-running partnership with Island Records, leading to their records being marketed and distributed via Island, Ariola (Island's European home at the time). The band thus leaves Marty Thau's Red Star label, which had started crumbling after Thau lost some licencing deals.


09-Nov-79
UK Release of the "Dream Baby Dream" (extended version)/"Radiation" 7"/12" single (ZE/Island).


16-Dec-79
US NY,New York City,WPIX-FM


18-Dec-79
US NY,New York City,Hurrah

Setlist: (a.o.) Las Vegas Man/ Ghost Rider/ Dream Baby Dream/ Radiation.


December 1979
US NY,New York City,Sorcerer Sound studio (at 19 Mercer Street),Marty Rev records his first (self titled) solo album. Produced by Charles Ball who releases it in February 1980 on Infidelity (a sublabel of Lust/Unlust company).






1980
The year in which Suicide record/release their 2nd album (on ZE Records), but both Alan and Marty also record/release solo albums.
Suicide's live shows are kept to a minimum. The momentum they had between 1977-1979 is now lost.
Alan Vega does several live solo shows.

Power Station 1980

December 1979/January 1980
US NY,New York City-Manhattan,Power Station studio (@ 441 West 53rd Street) ,recording their second album "Alan Vega-Martin Rev" ("Diamonds, Fur Coat, Champagne", "Harlem", "Mr. Ray", "Be Bop Kid", "Sweetheart", "Las Vegas Man", "Fast Money Music", "Shadazz", "Touch Me", "Dance" and "Super Subway Comedian") in two weeks time. Engineered by Larry Alexander, assisted by Gary Rindfuss and James Farber. Produced by Ric Ocasek [of The Cars]. Michael Zilkha (ZE Records) gave Suicide a $10,000 equipment budget, the most they had ever seen. At Sam Ash's music store (on West 48th Street) Marty buys, amongst others, a Prophet-5 synthesizer.

Photo 1: Google street view, 2018.

Photo 2: Photo Jan 12, 1980 credit Ebet Roberts/Getty Images. Sourced from Gettyimages music photo libraries.

Note: In those days, the Power Station was New York's most revered high-tech studio, founded and designed by Tony Bongiovi with business partners in 1977, and located in an old Consolidated Edison power relay station. During the Suicide sessions, the band is visited by Bruce Springsteen who's at the time wrapping up the recording of his "The River" album at the same studio. (Article from the Daily Item 26 -Feb-80). Years later (in 2005) Springsteen would cover Suicide's "Dream Baby Dream". Also recording while Suicide were there are: Carly Simon ("Come Upstairs" album) and Nile Rodgers [Chic] producing Diana Ross ("Diana" album).


Max's Kansas City 18-Jan-80

18-Jan-80
US NY,New York City,Max's Kansas City

Setlist: Harlem/ Radiation/ Dream Baby Dream/ Ghost Rider/ Cadillac/ Dance/ 96 Tears [Question Mark And The Mysterians]/ Rocket USA/ Touch Me-Be Bop A Lula(*)/ Night Time/ (Junkie) Jesus(+)/ Frankie Teardrop(+).

Photo: Credit Ebet Roberts/Getty Images. Sourced from Gettyimages music photo libraries.

Note: (*) Cheetah Chrome [Dead Boys] joins on vocals. (+) tracks may likely have been recorded at other shows. Recording available on the "Attempted - Live at Max's Kansas City 1980" CD (Sympathy For The Record Industry 2004). Their last show at Max's. " At that point, Max's was beginning to go to hell", says Peter [Crowley]. [..] Max's never came back after Tommy [Dean] lost his restaurant manager in early 1980. The quality of the food went down, and the place wasn't kept up. It looked seedy and falling apart".Peter Crowley [Mothers and Max's booker] as quoted in "Dream Baby Dream: Suicide: A New York City Story", a book by Kris Needs. The club closes down for good on 05-Dec-81.


Alan's loft 20-Jan-80

20-Jan-80
US NY,New York City,Alan's loft

Photo: Credit Ebet Roberts/Getty Images. Sourced from Gettyimages music photo libraries.

Note: Photoshoot, not a live performance.


New York 08-Feb-80

08-Feb-80
US NY,New York City,Hurrah
[with Tuxedomoon]

Flyer: Photo of flyer.

Ad: Scan taken from the Village Voice Feb-80 , courtesy of Scott D.


Feb-80
US Release of Martin Rev's debut album "Martin Rev" (Infidelity Records/Lust-Unlust).


New York 29-Feb-80

29-Feb-80
US NY,New York City,Heat
[with Manhattan Project]

Setlist: Ghost Rider/ Harlem/ Sweetheart/ Radiation/ Rocket U.S.A./Touch Me.

Ad: Scan taken from the Village Voice Feb-80, courtesy of Scott D.


New York 11-Mar-80

11-Mar-80
US NY,New York City,Hurrah
ZE Revue Night/ZE Records Night
[with Kid Creole, Cristina Monet, Lydia Lunch with Lizzy Mercier Descloux & Jodi Harris,..]

Setlist: a.o. Sweetheart/ Touch Me...

Photo 1: Credit Ebet Roberts/Getty Images. Sourced from Gettyimages music photo libraries.

Photo 2: Screen capture from a video by Charles Libin & Paul Cameron.

Ad: Scan taken from the Village Voice Mar-80, courtesy of Scott D.


Second album 15-Mar-80

15-Mar-80
US/UK Release of their second album "Alan Vega-Martin Rev" (ZE-Antilles/Island).


New York City 21-Mar-80

21-Mar-80
US NY,New York City,Squat Theatre
[with Manhattan Project]

Ad: Scan taken from the Village Voice Mar-80, courtesy of Scott D.

Note: Alan Vega solo show.


22-Mar-80
US NY,New York City,Arleen Schloss (@ 330 Broome Street)
[with Liquid Idiot]

Note: Alan Vega solo show.


New York City 11-Apr-80

11-Apr-80
US NY,New York City,Hurrah
[with The Plastics]

Setlist: Dance/ Super Subway Comedian/ Diamonds, Fur Coat, Champagne (aka Cadillac)/ Sweetheart/ Las Vegas.

Listing: Scan of of listing from East Village Eye 13-Apr-80.

Note: Two shows on the same night.


New York City 11-Apr-80

11-Apr-80
US NY,New York City,Tier 3

Setlist: Diamonds, Fur Coat, Champagne (aka Cadillac)/ Las Vegas Man/... (and more)..

Listing: Scan of of listing from East Village Eye 13-Apr-80.

Note: Two shows on the same night.


Boston 16-Apr-80

16-Apr-80
US MA,Boston,Paradise Theatre
[with Manhattan Project]

Ad: Scan of ad from The Boston Phoenix Vol.9 #10, 04-Mar-80.

Note: Could have been an Alan Vega show, accompanied by a male guitarist (Phil Hawk?).


New York City 19-Apr-80

19-Apr-80
US NY,New York City,The Kitchen

Ad: Scan taken from the Village Voice Apr-80, courtesy of Scott D.

Note: Martin Rev solo show.


France 24-Apr-80

24-Apr-80
FR Paris,Théâtre le Palace

Ad: Scan of ad, courtesy of Dimi.

Calendar: Scan of April-May calendar, courtesy of Dimi.


New York City 03-May-80

03-May-80
US NY,New York City,Max's Kansas City
[with The Ants]

Ad: Scan taken from the Village Voice Apr-80, courtesy of Scott D.

Note: Alan Vega solo show.


Skyline Studios 1980

1980
US NY,New York City-Manhattan,Skyline Studios (@ 36 West 37th Street, 3rd floor). Alan Vega records his first solo album "Alan Vega", with Texan Phil Hawk on guitar. Engineered by David Lichtenstein.

Photo: Google street view, October 2014.

Note: Released in November 1980 on ZE/Celluloid, at the same time as the "Jukebox Baby" single. Skyline Studios was opened in September 1979 by owners Paul Wickliffe and Lloyd Donnelly. The Fleshtones recorded their debut album ("Roman Gods") at Skyline in June 1981 and late 1982 James Chance recorded part of his "Flaming Demonics" album at this studio.


27-May-80
FR Lyon,-

29-May-80
FR Rouen,-

31-May-80
FR Le Mans,-

02-Jun-80
FR Bordeaux,-

03-Jun-80
FR Toulouse,-


04-Jun-80
UK London-Camden,Electric Ballroom
[with Au Pairs and Pink Military]


Manchester 05-Jun-80

05-Jun-80
UK Manchester,DeVilles

Flyer: Scan of flyer.


Edinburgh 06-Jun-80

06-Jun-80
UK Edinburgh,Nite Club
(upstairs at the Playhouse)

Ad: Scan of ad from UK mag. Alternative advert.


New York City 13-Jun-80

13-Jun-80
US NY,New York City,The 80's Club

Setlist: Harlem/ Ghost Rider/ Sweetheart/ Rocket USA/ Touch Me.

Ad: Scan taken from the Village Voice Apr-80, courtesy of Scott D.

Note: The same night Alan Vega also performs solo at the Rock Lounge.


13-Jun-80
US NY,New York City,Rock Lounge

Note: Alan Vega solo show.


23-Jun-80
FR Lille,-
[with Lizzy Mercier Descloux]

06-Jun-80
FR Bordeaux,-
[with Lizzy Mercier Descloux]

27-Jun-80
FR Toulouse,-
[with Lizzy Mercier Descloux]

Note: Perhaps a rescheduling of a few of the May France shows?


New York City 29-Jun-80

29-Jun-80
US NY,Times Square Show (@ 201 West 41 street & 7th Avenue)
"Frankie Teardrop" video screening
[with Y Pants and The Dynells]

Flyer: Scan of flyer.

Note: Video (10:25) directed by Paul Dougherty and Walter (Mike) Robinson. Produced by Edit deAk. Times Square Show was an art exhibition, organized by Collaborative Projects, Inc. (Colab) in what was once a massage parlor, bringing together over 100 artists (a.o. Jenny Holzer, Nan Goldin, Keith Haring, Kenny Scharf and Jean-Michel Basquiat) during the entire month of June, 1980.


18-Jul-80
US NY,New York City,Max's Kansas City

Note: Alan Vega solo show.


New York City 01-Aug-80

01-Aug-80
US NY,New York City,Danceteria
(2 sets)

Setlist: 1st set: Dance/ Ghost Rider/ Sweetheart (a.k.a. "Love You")/ Touch Me/ Harlem/ Be Bop Kid/ Staying Alive/ Fast Money Music. 2nd set: Ghost Rider/ Sweetheart/ Touch Me/ Harlem/ Be Bop Kid/ Stayin Alive.

Photo: Screen capture from the fantastic Nightclubbing video.

Note: Filmed by Pat Ivers and Emily Armstrong (then both working @ Manhattan Cable TV) as part of their weekly Nightclubbing program.


21-Aug-80
US NY,New York City,CBGB

Note: Alan Vega solo show.


New York 01-Oct-80

01-Oct-80
US NY,New York City,Hurrah
[with Dark Day]

Setlist: Harlem/ Ghost Rider(*)/ Cheree/ Be Bop A Lula/ Radiation(*)/ Sweet Little Lady/ Rock'N'Roll (Is Killing My Life).

Photo: Screen captures taken from "The Seven Deadly Synths" DVD.

Ad: Scan of advert taken from the Village Voice.

Note: Filmed by Merrill Aldighieri, (*) tracks released on her "The Seven Deadly Synths" DVD. All above tracks available for streaming @ Artclips.free.fr


10-Oct-80
US NY,New York City,Rock Lounge

Setlist: Rocket USA/ Crazy Maniacs/ Cheree/ Harlem/ Ghost Rider/ Rock'N'Roll (Is Killing My Life)/ Sweet White Lady.


Nov-80
US Release of Alan Vega's debut album "Alan Vega" (PVC Records/ZE Records).


Largo 12-Nov-80

12-Nov-80
US MD,Largo,Capital Centre
[support for The Cars]

Ad: Scan of ad.

Note: Supporting The Cars on some of their "Panorama Tour" dates. 4 Out of 5 Doctors may have supported The Cars instead of Suicide.


Hartford 13-Nov-80

13-Nov-80
US CT,Hartford,Civic Center
[support for The Cars]

Setlist: Fireball/ Ghost Rider/ Dream Baby Dream/ Rocket USA/ Rock 'N' Roll (Is Killing My Life)/ Sweet White Lady (don't do heroin).

Review: Scan from The Day newspaper November 15, 1980: "I'm suprised they don't get shot", someone behind me yelled above the din...."

Ticket: Scan of ticket .

Note: Supporting The Cars on some of their "Panorama Tour" dates. According to Billboard magazine dated November 29, 1980 over 12,000 people attended. The band is met with a tornado of verbal abuse: "Boo!... Go home!.... You suuuck!... Queers! ... I hate you!...Oh nooo!.. Get outta here asshole..." etc...


14-Nov-80
US RI,Providence,Civic Center
[support for The Cars]

Note: Support for The Cars on some of their "Panorama Tour" dates. According to Billboard magazine dated November 29, 1980 over 11,300 people attended. A knife was thrown at the stage during Suicide's set, which had embedded itself in the drum riser.


1x-Nov-80
US NJ,-
[support for The Cars]

Note: Support for The Cars on some of their "Panorama Tour" dates.


Boston 30-Nov-80

30-Nov-80
US MA,Boston,Garden
[support for The Cars]

01-Dec-80
US MA,Boston,Garden
[support for The Cars]

Photo: Screen capture from a video by Eron Otcasek. The film was shown @ the "Doppelleben/Double Lives" 2018 exhibit in Wien (AT) @ the Museum Moderner Kunst.

Note: Supporting The Cars on some of their "Panorama Tour" dates.


New York 20-Dec-80

20-Dec-80
US NY,New York City,Rock Lounge

Setlist: Crazy Maniacs/ Ghost Rider/ Dream Baby Dream/ Night Time/ Sweet White Lady/ 96 Tears [Question Mark And The Mysterians].

Ad: Scan taken from the Village Voice 24-Dec-80, courtesy of Scott D.


New York 24-Dec-80

24-Dec-80
US NY,New York City,Mudd Club

Setlist: Night Time/ Ghost Rider/ Cheree/ Sweet White Lady/ Rock'n'Roll (Is Killing My Life).

Ad: Scan taken from the Village Voice 24-Dec-80, courtesy of Scott D.


New York 26-Dec-80

26-Dec-80
US NY,New York City,The 80's Club
[with Marilyn and the Movie Stars]

Setlist: Night Time/ Avenue A/ Dream Baby Dream/ Sweet White Lady/ Ghost Rider.

Ad: Scan taken from the Village Voice 24-Dec-80, courtesy of Scott D.


New York 31-Dec-80

31-Dec-80
US NY,New York City,Trude Heller

Ad: Scan taken from the Village Voice 24-Dec-80, courtesy of Scott D.






1981
They year in which Alan Vega records/releases his 2nd solo album.
Marty records his second as well. Suicide perform live only a few times.

10-Jan-81
US NY,New York City,Peppermint Lounge
[with Minny Pops]

Setlist: Rock'N'Roll (Is Killing My Life)/ Crazy Maniacs/ Dream Baby Dream/ Sweet White Lady/ Ghost Rider/ Harlem.

Note: Could have happened on 09-Jan-81.


New York City 24-Jan-81

24-Jan-81
US NY,New York City,Club 57 @ Irving Plaza
[with Johnny Thunders and the Heartbreakers, The B-Girls]

Setlist: Rock'N'Roll (Is Killing My Life)/ Crazy Maniacs/ Cheree/ Sweet White Lady/ Ghost Rider/ Sixteen Year Old Lady.

Ad: Scan of ad.

Review: Scan, taken from New York Rocker April 1981.


27-Jan-81
BE Brussel,Disque Rouge
[with The Marines]

29-Jan-81
FR Paris,Rock In Loft,ISG Night
[with Orchestre Rouge]

Note: Alan Vega shows (with Anne Deon).


February 1981
US NY,New York City,Blank Tapes studio,Martin Rev starts the recording of his "Clouds Of Glory" album. Engineered by Butch Jones, produced by Marty Thau. Released in 1985 on New Rose.


24-Apr-81
US NY,New York City,The Ritz


01-May-81
US PA,Philadelphia,Omni
(2 sets)

Setlist: (1st set) ending with Ghost Rider
2nd set (at 01:00AM) Mr.Ray/ ?/ 96 Tears [Question Mark And The Mysterians]/ Be Bop A Lula/ Ghost Rider.


20-May-81
US MA,Boston,The Spit

30-May-81
US NY,New York City,Club 57 @ Irving Plaza
[with Fad Gadget]

06-Jun-81
US NY,New York City,Privates

27-Jun-81
US NY,New York City,Max's Kansas City

25-Jul-81
US NY,New York City,Max's Kansas City

Note: Alan Vega solo shows (with guitarist Phil Hawk). The 25th was the last time Alan performed at Max's.


Jul/Aug-81
US NY,New York City-Manhattan,Skyline Studios (@ 36 West 37th Street, 3rd floor). Alan Vega records his second solo album "Collision Drive", with Mark Kuch (on guitar), Lary Chaplan [Magic Tramps] (on bass) and Sesu Coleman [Magic Tramps] (on drums). Engineered by David Lichtenstein. Released in November 1981 on ZE/Celluloid. Suicide recorded "Hey Lord" for ZE records V/A: "A Christmas Record" here too.


09-Sep-81
US Release of the "Half Alive" album tape (Roir).


Minneapolis 19-Sep-81

19-Sep-81
US MN,Minneapolis,Walker Arts Center

Setlist: Rocket USA/ Rock 'N' Roll (Is Killing My Life)/ Ghost Rider/ Dream Baby Dream/ Sweet White Lady/ Harlem/ 96 Tears [Question Mark And The Mysterians].

Article: Scan of article, taken from Minneapolis Star 18-Sep-81.

Review: Scan of review, taken from Minneapolis Star 22-Sep-81.

Note: Available on the "Ghost Riders" tape/CD (Roir 1986/1998). Labeled as their 10th anniversary show.


New York City 17-Sep-81

31-Oct-81
US New York City,Chase Park
[with Ike Yard and 13:13]

Ad 1: Scan of ad, courtesy of Weasel Walter.

Ad 2: Scan of advert from Village Voice/Soho News.

Note: Chase Park was atop an old Chase Bank on Broadway & Houston St. (a slightly “Diamond Doggish" affair).


11-Nov-81
US NY,New York City,Peppermint Lounge
[with Johnny Thunders]

Setlist: Fireball/ Jukebox Babe/ Touch Me/ Ghost Rider/ Don't Cry.


Palo Alto 18-Nov-81

18-Nov-81
US CA,Palo Alto,Keystone
[with Half Church]

Ad: Scan of ad, taken from San Francisco Examiner 15-Nov-81.

Article: Scan of article, taken from San Francisco Examiner 15-Nov-81.


San Francisco 19-Nov-81

19-Nov-81
US CA,San Francisco,The Stone
[with Snakefinger and The Woundz]

Ad: Scan of ad, taken from San Francisco Examiner 15-Nov-81.


Berkeley 20-Nov-81

20-Nov-81
US CA,Berkeley,Keystone
[with Misfits]

Ad: Scan of ad, taken from San Francisco Examiner 15-Nov-81.


05-Dec-81
US NY,New York City,Rock City

Note: Alan Vega solo show.


xx-Dec-81
US Release of Alan Vega's second solo album "Collision Drive" (ZE/Celluloid).


New York City 28-Dec-81

28-Dec-81
US NY,New York City,Rock City

Ad: Scan taken from the Village Voice Dec-80, courtesy of Scott D.

Note: Alan Vega solo show.






1980's and 1990's
Both Vega and Rev record and release several solo albums and they, especially Alan, tour in support.
Suicide records a 3rd album ("Way Of Life") in 1987 and a 4th ("Why Be Blue") in 1992.
Suicide live dates are either one off dates or part of very short tours.

Nov/Dec-82
US MA,Boston,Syncro Sound Studios (owned by The Cars). Alan Vega records his third solo album "Saturn Strip", with Mark Kuch (on guitar), Lary Chaplan [Magic Tramps] (on bass) and Sesu Coleman [Magic Tramps] (on drums). Guest: Ric Ocasek (guitar,keyboards) and Al Jourgensen [Ministry]. Engineered by Thom Moore, with David Heglmeier. Produced by Ric Ocasek.


15-May-83
US Release of Alan Vega's third solo album "Saturn Strip" (Elektra/ZE).


New York City 28-Jul-84

28-Jul-84
US NY,New York City,Club 57 @ Irving Plaza
[with Angel Corpus Christi and Raw Youth]

Setlist: Radiation/ Ghost Rider/ Dream Baby Dream/ Bye Bye Baby/ 96 Tears [Question Mark And The Mysterians]/ Harlem

Flyer: Photo of flyer.

Review: Taken from Dangerous Rhythms #5, spring 1985 (show date is erroneously listed as 18-Aug-84 in review).

Photo: Photos (depicting Andrea Ross [Angel Corpus Christi], Marty and Alan) credit Howard Thompson.

Note: Recorded live on cassette by Eric Maché. "Radiation" available on the "The Horrors/Suicide" 10" (Blast First Petite 2008).


1984/85
US MA,Boston,Syncro Sound Studios (owned by The Cars) and New York's Unique Recording. Alan Vega records his fourth solo album "Just A Million Of Dreams", his last for Elektra. Engineered and mixed by Chris Lord-Alge. Produced by Chris Lord-Alge and Ric Ocasek. With guest Chris Lord-Alge (synthesizer, drum programming and drums).


Feb-85
FR Release of Martin Rev's second solo album "Clouds Of Glory" (New Rose).


Nov-85
US Release of Alan Vega's fourth solo album "Just A Million Of Dreams" (Elektra).


New York City 01-Feb-86

01-Feb-86
US NY,New York City,The World @ 254 East Second Street

Photo: Credit © Greg Fasolino. Used with kind permission.

Poster: Photo of poster.

Note: Club opened by Arthur Weinstein (of Hurrah fame).


New York City 27-Sep-86

27-Sep-86
US NY,New York City,CBGB
[with Die Kreuzen, Ritual Tension]

Setlist: Dance/ Devastation/ Cheree/ Lovely So Lovely/ Rocket USA.

Photo: Screen capture from a private video, shot by Greg Fasolino.

Review: Scan of review, taken from Sounds 18-Oct-86.


Oct-86
US Release of Suicide's live album "Ghost Riders" (Roir).


Amsterdam 27-Oct-86

27-Oct-86
NL Amsterdam,Paradiso

Setlist: Rocket USA/ Dance/ Surrender/ Fast Money Music/..and more...

Photo: Credit © Michael Leach (from www.bestrockphotos.com). Used with kind permission.

Note: Start of a 4 date European tour. Above tracks broadcast by Dutch FM radio. Now that Alan was dropped by Elektra, Suicide came back into the arena.


28-Oct-86
DE Berlin,Metropol

Setlist: Rocket USA/ Dance/ Surrender/ Fast Money Music/ Devastation/ Jukebox Baby/ Sister Ray.

Note: Available on the bootleg LP "We Never Said.." (Germany 1987).


Paris 29-Oct-86

29-Oct-86
FR Paris,Elysée Montmartre

Setlist: Dance/ Rocket USA/ Cheree/ C'est Difficile/ Fast Money Music/ Jukebox Baby - 96 Tears [Question Mark And The Mysterians]/ Surrender/ Harlem.

Ticket: Scan of ticket courtesy of Philippe Doro of the wonderful Polyphonic Size website.


London 30-Oct-86

30-Oct-86
UK London,The Camden Palace
[with Das Psych-Oh! Rangers]

Setlist: Dance/ Rocket USA/ Surrender/ Devastation/ Fast Money Music/ Jukebox Baby-96 Tears [Question Mark And The Mysterians]/ Cheree.

Ad: Scan from UK mag. Initial version of ad with wrong date (29th).

Flyer: Photo of flyer with wrong date (29th).

Review: Scan of review, taken from the NME 08-Nov-86.


New York City 25-Nov-86

25-Nov-86
US NY,New York City,The Cat Club
[with The Invaders]

Ad: Scan of ad.


Gabicce Mare 17-Jan-87

17-Jan-87
IT Gabicce Mare,Aleph

Setlist: Dance/ Rocket USA/ Cheree/ Devastation/ Johnny/ Love So Lovely/ Jukebox Babe/ Surrender.

Poster: Photo of poster, courtesy of Paolo Bedini (1983-1993 Italian promoter for many bands including Nick Cave, Suicide, Gun Club, Einstürzende Neubauten,..)


18-Jan-87
IT Torino,Big Club


Gabicce Mare 19-Jan-87

19-Jan-87
IT Milano,Prego Club

Photo: Photo credit Baracca & Burattini, courtesy of Paolo Bedini (1983-1993 Italian promoter at AZ Music for many bands including Nick Cave, Suicide, Gun Club, Einstürzende Neubauten,..)


20-Jan-87
IT Reggio Emilia-Scandiano,Discoteca Corallo


Wiesbaden 21-Jan-87

21-Jan-87
DE Wiesbaden,Wartburg

Setlist: Johnny/ Dance/ Cheree/ Ghost Rider/ Jukebox Baby 96/ Wild In Blue/ Be Bop A Lula.

Ticket: Xerox of ticket.


xx-Jan-87
FR Paris,La Locomotive

Setlist: Devastation 7:46/ and more...

Note: Above track available as bonus track on the "A Way Of Life" CD reissue (Mute, 2023) and "A Way Of Life Rarities" 12" (Mute, 2023).


Zürich 24-Jan-87

24-Jan-87
CH Zürich,Gemeinschaftszentrum Heuried

Listing 1: Scan of listing from Neue Zürcher Zeitung 23-Jan-87, courtesy of Roland Metzger.

Listing 2: Scan of listing from Der Bund 09-Jan-87. Then scheduled to play at the Jugendhaus Drahtschmidli.


Gent 25-Jan-87

25-Jan-87
BE Gent,Vooruit

Poster: Photo of poster.


26-Jan-87
FR Lyon-Vaulx en Velin,ENTPE


Oslo 29-Jan-87

29-Jan-87
NO Oslo,Sardine's

Interview: Scan of interview, taken from Arbeiderbladet/Nye Takter #206, 1987 (translated). "Yes, some clapped and got carried away, but most of them just shook their heads halfway. Some were outraged at paying what they considered to be a rigid ticketprice for something that was not worth the money. The last nail in the coffin for Suicide's part was an almost bland version of "Frankle Teardrop". [...] 'I hate that song, but the audience almost demands that it be played', says Vega. [..] 'The only thing American youth is 'into' is drugs and money. Suicide is hopefully an alternative', says Rev. 'Suicide is more popular in Europe than in the home country. Americans have not been in a real war. You here in Europe have really got to feel what it is like to be at war. The mentality is therefore different from that of Americans. Therefore, it is easier for you to understand Suicide', says Rev." (partial translation).

Listing: Scan of listing, taken from Arbeiderbladet/Nye Takter #205, 1987.

Photo: Photo credit © Morten Andersen. Used with kind permission.


Japan March 1987

26-Mar-87
JP Tokyo,Shibuya Live Inn
[with Boredoms and Off Mask 00]

27-Mar-87
JP Yokohama,Shimizu
[with Boredoms and Off Mask 00]

Ad: Ad taken from Listening But Hearing magazine. Short 4 date tour, organised by Selfish Records.


Tokyo 28-Mar-87

28-Mar-87
JP Tokyo,Shibuya Live Inn
[with Boredoms and Off Mask 00]

Setlist: Be Bop A Lula/ Johnny/ Cheree/ Devastation/ Love So Lovely/ Jukebox Babe/ Surrender/ Ghost Rider.

Ad: Ad taken from Listening But Hearing magazine. Short 4 date tour of Japan, organised by Selfish Records.


29-Mar-87
JP Kyoto,Big Fire Escape
[with Boredoms and Off Mask 00]


Electric Lady Studios 1987

Oct-87
US NY,New York City-Greenwich Village,Electric Lady Studios (@ 52 West Eight Street). Recording their 3rd album "Way Of Life" ("Wild In Blue", "Surrender", "Jukebox Baby", "Rain Of Ruin", "Sufferin' In Vain", "Love So Lovely", "Devastation", "Heat Beat"). Engineered by Joe Barbaria. Produced by Ric Ocasek [The Cars]. Recorded in about a day. "Dominic Christ" was recorded at another studio around September 1988.

Photo: Google street view 2018.

Note 1: Martin Rev said in a press release "The first session was scheduled for about 2PM. Ric [Ocasek] wasn’t there yet, only the engineers, so Alan and I just started to warm up and, in the process, started writing some new songs. The engineers decided among themselves to set the recorder rolling and when Ric came in an hour or two later ready to work, he asked the engineers if we had already sound checked. They said “yeah and they basically recorded the whole album”. Ric was amazed and started immediately to listen to what became the first mixes of A Way of Life."

Note 2: Electric Lady opened in August 1970 and is still in operation to this day at the same location.


07-Dec-87
IT Pisa,Phoenix Club

08-Dec-87
IT Roma,Black Out


Bassano del Grappa 09-Dec-87

09-Dec-87
IT Bassano del Grappa,Cinema Teatro Duse

Setlist: Devastation/ Speedway-Jukebox Babe/ Johnny/ Cheree/ Girl/ Surrender Be Bop A Lula.

Poster: Photo of poster courtesy of Carlo Cazale, promoter of the show.


10-Dec-87
IT Genova,Teatro Verdi(?)


Leeds 29-Dec-87

12-Dec-87
UK Leeds,Queen's Hall
Acid Daze festival
[with Hawkwind, Spaceman 3, Pink Fairies, Doctor And The Medics,..]

Setlist: Dominic Christ/ Johnny/ Cheree/ Jukebox Baby.

Pass: Scan of guest pass courtesy of George Rab.

Ad: Scan from UK mag.

Note: Alan Vega was well smashed on vodka, and took umbridge at the various 'hippies' in the audience and stormed off after 4 songs.


London 13-Dec-87

13-Dec-87
UK London,Town & Country Club
[with Spacemen 3 and Into A Circle]

Setlist: Dominic Christ/ Johnny/ Cheree/ Devastation/ Jukebox Baby -96 Tears [Question Mark And The Mysterians]/ Girl/ Surrender/ Harlem.

Ad: Taken from NME 28-Nov-87.

Ticket: Scan of ticket courtesy of John Eden (uncarved.org).

Note: Available as bonus CD with the re-release of the "Way Of Life" album (Blast First 2004).


Barcelona 16-Dec-87

16-Dec-87
ES Barcelona,Zeleste

Poster: Photo of poster, courtesy of Serge Ballaux (Revega Music FB group).

Review: Scan of article/interview, taken from Rockdelux 28-Feb-88, courtesy of Serge Ballaux (Revega Music FB group).


Vitoria-Gasteiz 19-Dec-87

19-Dec-87
ES Vitoria-Gasteiz,Sala The End

Ticket: Scan of ticket, courtesy of Alvaro Rey.


Amsterdam 21-Dec-87

21-Dec-87
NL Amsterdam,Paradiso

Ad: Scan of ad, taken from het Parool 16-Dec-87.


Toronto 06-Feb-88

06-Feb-88
CA ON,Toronto,The Silver Dollar

Photo: Photo credit © Jeremy Gilbert, used with kind permission.


1988
UK Release of the "Surrender/Rain Of Ruin" single (Chapter 22).


Amsterdam 05-Sep-88

05-Sep-88
NL Amsterdam,Paradiso
[with Crime & City Solution]

Poster: Photo of poster.


London 07-Sep-88

07-Sep-88
UK London,Camden,Dingwalls
[with Nikki Sudden and Sonic Boom]

Poster: Scan from UK mag.


Lisboa 08-Sep-88

08-Sep-88
PT Lisboa,Ruinas do Convento do Carmo

Setlist: Intro/ Everybody's Lying/ Johnny/ Cheree/ Night Time Is The Right Time/ Jukebox Baby-96 Tears [Question Mark And The Mysterians]/ Be Bop A Lula/ Day By Day/ Ghost Rider-Blue Suede Shoes/ Dream Baby Dream/ Born In The USA medley.

Poster: Photo of poster.

Note: Performance at the ruins of the 14th century Carmo church, partly destroyed by an earth quake in 1755.


xx-Sep-88
FR Paris,-

Setlist: Cheree 9:16/ Born In The USA medley (When The Saints Go Marching In, Blueberry Hill, Lucille, Blue Suede Shoes, Chantilly Lace, Highway 61, 96 Tears, Sister Ray, No Fun, I Wanna Be Your Dog, Everyone's A Winner) 10:36/ and more...

Note: Above tracks available as bonus tracks on the "A Way Of Life" CD reissue (Mute, 2023) and "A Way Of Life Rarities" 12" (Mute, 2023).


Genève 14-Sep-88

14-Sep-88
CH Genève,La Traverse
[with Parabellum]
Festival de la Bâtie

Poster: Photo of poster.

Listing: Listing from Best #242 magazine, September, 1988.

Review: Scan of review from Journal de Genève 17-Sep-88. "Suicide has now simply become a rock band made in the USA and by turning into pub rockers, they have paradoxically been faithful to their legend: a little lame, a little fake and quite surprising."


Late 1988
UK Release of the "Way Of Life" album (Chapter 22).


Sheffield 10-Dec-88

10-Dec-88
UK Sheffield,Leadmill
[with Berserker Joe]

Review: Taken from Melody Maker 24/31-Dec-1988.


Birmingham 11-Dec-88

11-Dec-88
UK Birmingham,Burberries
[with Godflesh and Loop]

Ticket: Photo of ticket by Jonathan Hargreaves, courtesy of Serge Ballaux (Revega Music FB group).


Liverpool 12-Dec-88

12-Dec-88
UK Liverpool,Royal Court Theatre
[support for Siouxsie & the Banshees]

13-Dec-88
UK Edinburgh,Playhouse
[support for Siouxsie & the Banshees]

Ad: Taken from the NME dated 19-Nov-88.


London 15-Sep-88

15-Dec-88
UK London-Brixton,The Academy
[support for Siouxsie & the Banshees]

Setlist: Dominic Christ/ Johnny/ On Fire/ Born In The USA medley/ Jukebox Baby-96 Tears [Question Mark And The Mysterians]/ Night Time Is The Right Time.

Ad: Scan from UK mag.


Athina 18-Sep-88

18-Dec-88
GR Athina,Rodon

Setlist: ?/ Johnny/ Cheree/ Born In The USA medley/ Jukebox Baby-96 Tears [Question Mark And The Mysterians]/ On Fire/ Night Time Is The Right Time.

Photo: Photo credit by Catherine Ceresole, published in "Beauty Lies in the Eye" photobook (Edition Patrick Frey, 2013).


Paris 23-Jan-89

23-Jan-89
FR Paris,Elysée Montmartre
[support for Passion Fodder, with Gris Regard]

Ticket: Scan of ticket.


France Jan/Feb-89

24-Jan-89
FR Besançon,-
[support for Passion Fodder]

25-Jan-89
FR Clermont-Ferrand,-
[support for Passion Fodder]

26-Jan-89
FR Lyon,-
[support for Passion Fodder]

27-Jan-89
FR Marseille,-
[support for Passion Fodder]

28-Jan-89
FR Montpellier,Rockstore
[support for Passion Fodder, with Les Parallèles de Montségur]

30-Jan-89
FR Toulouse,Le Bikini
[support for Passion Fodder, with Lu Ta El]

31-Jan-89
FR Poitiers,Confort Moderne
[support for Passion Fodder]

01-Feb-89
FR Angers,Centre Culturel Jean Vilar
[support for Passion Fodder]

02-Feb-89
FR Caen,-
[support for Passion Fodder]

03-Feb-89
FR Lille,-
[support for Passion Fodder]

04-Feb-89
FR Strasbourg,-
[support for Passion Fodder]

Ad: Scan of advert. Scan of ticket for the show at Le Bikini.


London 06-Feb-89

06-Feb-89
UK London,Camden,Dingwalls,The Panic Station
[with The Chairs]

Ad: Scan from UK mag.


Paris 17-Apr-89

17-Apr-89
FR Paris,Le Palace

Setlist: C'est La Vie/ Johnny/ Mambo Mambo/ Rock Train/ Jukebox Baby - 96 Tears [Question Mark And The Mysterians]/ Dream Baby Dream/ Night Time Is The Right Time/ On Fire.

Ticket: Scan of ticket courtesy of Philippe Doro of the wonderful Polyphonic Size website.

Ad: Scan of ad.

Note: Recorded live by Catherine Ceresole and Nicholas Ceresole. Available as bonus CD with the re-release of the "Why Be Blue" album (Blast First 2005).


Paris 22-Apr-89

22-Apr-89
FR Paris,Antenne 2 TV,Lunettes noires pour nuits blanches

Setlist: Surrender (playback)/ Alan Vega interviewed by Thierry Ardisson.

Photo: Screen capture from TV broadcast.

Note: Date is broadcast date.


1989
US Release of the "Way Of Life" album (Wax Trax).


New York City 21-Oct-89

21-Oct-89
US NY,New York City,The Ritz-Wax Trax Records nite
[with Meat Beat Manifesto, Controlled Bleeding, Ajax (feat. Moby), Front Line Assembly]

Photo: Credit Ebet Roberts/Getty Images. Sourced from Gettyimages music photo libraries.

Ad: Scan of advert, taken from Village Voice 10-Oct-89.

Note: Wax Trax band showcase @ the CMJ New Music Seminar. Controlled Bleeding cancelled.
Ric Ocasek [The Cars] joins Suicide on guitar.


Boston 15-Jun-90

15-Jun-90
US MA,Boston,Ground Zero
[with Funeral Party]

Listing: Scan of listng from The Boston Phoenix Vol.19 #23, 15-Jun-90.


Summer '90 + Summer '91
US NY,New York City,One Take Studios (Ric Ocasek's basement studio),recording their 4th album "Why Be Blue" ("Why Be Blue?", "Cheat Cheat", "Mujo", "Pump It", "Last Time", "Play The Dream", "Chewy-Chewy", "Hot Ticket", "Flashy Love", "Universe"). Engineered by David Heglmeier. Produced by Ric Ocasek [The Cars].


July 1992
DE Release of the "Why Be Blue" album (Enemy/Brake Out Records).


New York City 14-Jul-92

14-Jul-92
US NY,New York City-Chelsea,The Limelight

Setlist: (A.o.) Jukebox Baby 96/ Play the Dream/ Chewy-Chewy/.. and more..

Review: Taken from the New York Times online archives.

Note: With Ric Ocasek [The Cars] on guitar.


Cambridge 17-Jul-92

17-Jul-92
US MA,Cambridge,ManRay Nightclub
[with Chainsuck]

Setlist: Rocket USA/ Jukebox Babe '96/ Why Be Blue/ [..]/ Dream Baby Dream.

Photo: Credit © Greg Fasolino. Used with kind permission.

Ad: Scan of advert from The Boston Phoenix Vol.21 #28, 10-Jul-92.

Review: Scan of review, taken from Boston Globe 20-Jul-92.


Rennes 04-Dec-92

04-Dec-92
FR Rennes,Salle de la Cité (starting at midnight)
Les Transmusicales festival
[with Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy, The Last Poets]

Poster: Photo of poster.

Program: Scan from program booklet.

Note: Interview and live footage broadcast on Mégamix, ARTE TV, 19-Feb-93. Pavement, Sugar and Sonic Youth performed at Salle Omnisport on the same day as part of the festival.






1998
The year of - yet another- resurrection for Suicide when Paul Smith, of Blast First Records (UK),
starts a re-release program of their first 2 classic albums. They finally receive the recognition they deserve.

21-Jan-98
UK London,Astoria Theatre,NME Brat Night
(with Spiritualized)

Setlist: Rocket USA.

Note: Available on the "V/A: NME Clean Sweep" CD (free with NME Feb-98).


London 22-Jan-98

22-Jan-98
UK London,The Barbican Centre

Setlist: Mr.Ray/ Girl.

Photo: Taken from private video.

Note: Performing @ "Reinventing America", an art installation celebrating US culture. Above tracks available on the "22/1/98 - Reinventing America" CDS (Blast First 1998).


04-Mar-98
UK London,Maida Vale Studios,BBC Radio 1 FM,Mary Ann Hobbs,session

Setlist: Crucifix Man/ Surrender/ Show Me Tha' Money/ Harlem.


VH1TV xx-Mar-98

xx-Mar-98
UK VH1 TV,"Take it to the Bridge" program.

Setlist: Show Me Tha' Money.

Photo: Screen capture from TV broadcast.


London 05-Mar-98

05-Mar-98
UK London-Highbury,The Garage

06-Mar-98
UK London-Highbury,The Garage
[with Pan Sonic]

Ad: Scan from UK mag.


London 07-Mar-98

07-Mar-98
UK London-Highbury,The Garage

08-Mar-98
UK London-Highbury,The Garage

Setlist: (one or several of the above dates @ the Garage) White Man/ Harlem/ Surrender/ Show Me Tha' Money/ Girl/ Rocket USA/ Jukebox Baby.

Ad: Scan from UK mag.

Note: Recorded by Steve Wright, and released as bonus CD with the limited edition of the "American Supreme" album (Blast First 2002).


09-Mar-98
UK Re-release of their first self titled album with bonus live CD (Blast First/Mute).


xx-Mar-98
UK Glasgow,Centre For Contemporary Art


London 04-Jul-98

04-Jul-98
UK London,Queen Elisabeth Hall,Meltdown festival
[with The Jesus and Mary Chain]
(Curated by John Peel)

Setlist: White Man/ Girl/ and more...

Note: Above tracks broadcast on the John Peel radio show 08-Jul-98.


03-Aug-98
UK London-Highbury,The Garage
(with Pan Sonic)


New York City 18-Dec-98

18-Dec-98
US NY,New York City,The Cooler,Silver Apples benefit
[with Steve Shelley, Calla, Don Fleming,..]

Listing: Scan of listing, taken from Journal News 18-Dec-98.

Note: Benefit for [Silver Apples], who was seriously injured in a car accident.


Barcelona 17-Jun-99

17-Jun-99
ES Barcelona,Centre de Cultura Contemporània de Barcelona
Sonar Festival
[with Pan Sonic]

Setlist: A.o. 96 Tears [Question Mark And The Mysterians]/ Frankie Teardrop/ White Man/ Harlem Baby.

Photo: Screen capture from TV.

Note: Above tracks broadcast on Spanish TV.


28-Jun-99
UK Re-release of their second album "Alan Vega-Martin Rev" with bonus live CD (Blast First/Mute).


Zürich 11-Nov-99

11-Nov-99
CH Zürich,Rote Fabrik
Elektrip festival #3 (Adventures in Sound)
[with Breakbeat Era, Roger Rotor and Tied & Tickled Trio]

Poster: Photo of poster, designed by Ralph Steinbrüchel. Sourced from Museum of Design Zürich.

Review: Scan of review from Neue Zürcher Zeitung 13/14-Nov-99, courtesy of Roland Metzger. "The first main attraction was a highly ambivalent performance by legendary New York synth rock duo Suicide."

Note: Three-day festival 11/13-Nov-99.


13-Nov-99
IT Torino,Supermarket

Setlist: Dream Baby Dream/ Surrender/ Ghost Rider/ Jukebox Baby '96/ Cheree/ Girl/ Wild In Blue/ I Wanna Be Your Dog [The Stooges]/ 96 Tears [Question Mark and the Mysterians]/ Frankie Teardrop.






Suicide circa 2007
Marty Rev and Alan Vega - London circa 2007. Photo credit: © Sarah Lee (The Guardian).


21st century
The band continues to perform about 10 shows a year, except for the past 5 years when performances are becoming rarer and rarer. Reviews of the live shows generally state the disappointing performances. Recording of their 5th and final album ("American Supreme") in 2001.
In 2012, Alan Vega suffered a heart attack and a massive stroke.
On May 20, 2016 Alan Vega fell and broke his hip.
On July 15, 2016 Alan Vega passed away.

New York City 21-Jan-00

21-Jan-00
US NY,New York City,Knitting Factory
New York Festival of Electronic Composers and Improvisers
[with Pan Sonic]

22-Jan-00
US NY,New York City,Knitting Factory
New York Festival of Electronic Composers and Improvisers
[with Pan Sonic]

Flyer: Photo of flyer.

Ad: Scan of advert from Village Voice 04-Jan-00.


Hollywood 26-Oct-00

26-Oct-00
US CA,Hollywood,The Knitting Factory

27-Oct-00
US CA,Hollywood,The Knitting Factory

Review: Scan of review, taken from Los Angeles Times 28-Oct-00.


Genève 23-Nov-00

23-Nov-00
CH Genève,L'Usine,Les Nuits Hors-Bords Festival
[with Eric Mingus, Khan and Julee Cruise, Sugerman 3]

Program: e-Program.


London 25-Nov-00

25-Nov-00
UK London-Highbury,The Garage

26-Nov-00
UK London-Highbury,The Garage

Ad: Scan from UK mag.

Ticket: Scan of ticket 25-Nov-00.

Poster: Photo of poster.


31-Dec-00
US NY,New York City,The Knitting Factory
[with Pan Sonic and DJ Otefsu]


Austin 10-Mar-01

10-Mar-01
US TX,Austin,Emo's

Listing: Scan of listing, taken from Austin American Statesman 10-Mar-01.

Note: Doing a 2hours 15 mins show.


Chicago 12-May-01

12-May-01
US IL,Chicago,The Double Door
Noise Pop festival
[with 90 Day Men]

Listing: Scan of listing, taken from Chicago Tribune 12-May-01.


New York City 01-Jun-01

01-Jun-01
US NY,New York City,The Cooler
[with The Contortions and DJ Otefsu]

02-Jun-01
US NY,New York City,The Cooler
[with The Contortions and DJ Otefsu]

Ad: Scan from Village Voice 05-Jun-01.

Note: Celebrating their 30th birthday. DJ Otefsu is Jim -Foetus- Thirlwell.


New York City 16-Jun-01

16-Jun-01
US OH,Columbus,Alrosa Villa nightclub
Morethanmusicfest
[with Archer Prewitt, Six Finger Satelite,..]

Poster: Photo of poster, courtesy of Neal Dare Waves.

Note: Day 3 of a four day noise-rock festival. At Alrosa Villa Pantera/Damageplan guitarist "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott was murdered on December 8, 2004.


Brest 04-Aug-01

04-Aug-01
FR Brest,Manoir de Keroual
Astropolis Festival
[with Jeff Mills, Luke Slater, Schneider TM,..]

Setlist: Sister Ray Says/ Why Be Blue/ Ghost Rider/ Surrender/ Worst Nightmare/ Che.

Poster: e-Poster.


21-Sep-01
IR Dublin,Ambassador Theatre

23-Sep-01
NIR Belfast,The Limelight

25-Sep-01
UK London,93 East

Note: Tour cancelled due to the "9/11" terrorist attacks.


Oct/Dec-01
US NY,New York City-East Village,6/8 Studios,recording "American Supreme" album ("Televised Executions", "Misery Train", "Swearin' To The Flag", "Beggin' For Miracles", "American Mean", "Wrong Decisions", "Death Machine", "Power Au Go-Go", "Dachau, Disney, Disco", "Child", "It's A New World", "I Don't Know"). Engineered by Perkin Barnes.

Note: From the money they got off Rollins Band's cover of "Ghost Rider", included on the soundtrack of "The Crow" movie (1994), they managed to finance this album.


Glasgow 26-Oct-01

26-Oct-01
UK Glasgow,Centre For Contemporary Art
Sonic Mook Experiment
[with Jarvis Cocker DJ set]

Setlist: Las Vegas Man/ Harlem Baby/ Ghost Rider/ Surrender/ White Man/? /?

Review: Review @ Limbos.org.

Photo: Credit Gary Barrett.


28-Oct-01
UK London,ICA
Sonic Mook Experiment
[with The Parkinsons]


January 2002
US NY,New York City-East Village,6/8 Studios, mixing "American Supreme" album ("Televised Executions", "Misery Train", "Swearin' To The Flag", "Beggin' For Miracles", "American Mean", "Wrong Decisions", "Death Machine", "Power Au Go-Go", "Dachau, Disney, Disco", "Child", "It's A New World", "I Don't Know"). Engineered by Perkin Barnes.


14-Feb-02
FR Paris,Fondation Cartier pour l'art contemporain
Les Soirées Nomades/Nomadic nights

15-Feb-02
FR Paris,Fondation Cartier pour l'art contemporain
Les Soirées Nomades/Nomadic nights


New York City 22-Feb-02

12-Jan/23-Feb-02
US NY,New York City,Deitch Projects @ 76 Grand Street
"Collision Drive" exhibition

22-Feb-02
US NY,New York City,Deitch Projects @ 18 Wooster Street

Poster: e-Poster.

Note: Alan Vega exhibition "Collision Drive" , followed by a Suicide live show.


New York City 19-Apr-02

19-Apr-02
US NY,New York City,Roseland Ballroom
[support for Siouxsie and the Banshees]

Ad: Scan from the Village Voice 23-Apr-02.


Montréal 07-Sep-02

07-Sep-02
CA QC,Montréal,La Sala Rossa

Article: Scan of article, taken from The Gazette 07-Sep-02.


28-Oct-02
UK Release of their "American Supreme" with bonus live CD (Blast First/Mute).


30-Oct-02
UK London,The End and The AKA Bar


02-Nov-02
UK London,The Mean Fiddler
[with The Liars]

Setlist: White Man/ Ghost Rider/ Power Au Go Go/ Death Machine/ Rocket USA/ Wrong Decisions/ Misery Train/ Staying Alive.


03-Nov-02
UK London,The Mean Fiddler
[with The Liars]


Berlin 06-Nov-02

06-Nov-02
DE Berlin,Volksbühne
[with Pan Sonic and The Liars]

Photo: Credit Ullstein Bild. Sourced from Gettyimages music photo libraries.


Paris 08-Nov-02

08-Nov-02
FR Paris,Beaubourg,Centre Georges Pompidou

Setlist: ?/ Cheree/ Ghost Rider/ Wrong Decisions/ Misery Train/ Death Machine/ Stayin' Alive/ White Man.

Ticket: Scan of ticket.


06-Dec-02
IT Roma,Villagio Globale

07-Dec-02
IT Bologna,Link


Atlanta 18-Jan-03

18-Jan-03
US GA,Atlanta,The Earl

Setlist: Ghost Rider/ Dream Baby Dream/ Power au Go Go.

Article: Scan of article, taken from Atlanta Constitution 17-Jan-03.


Cambridge 07-Feb-03

07-Feb-03
US MA,Cambridge,The Middle East-Downstairs
[with Calla]

Ad: Scan of ad from The Boston Phoenix Vol.32 #6, 07-Feb-03.

Review: Scan of review, taken from Boston Globe 11-Feb-03.


22-Feb-03
US DC,Washington,The Black Cat


Antwerpen 26-Apr-03

26-Apr-03
NL Haarlem,Toon Festival #4
[with Pan Sonic]

Note: As part of the festival Alan has an exhibition of his installations and a solo show (with his wife Liz Lamere and their son) on the 20th @ the Vishal.

Photo: Credit Caroline Grijsen .


Antwerpen 27-Apr-03

27-Apr-03
BE Antwerpen,Hof ter Lo
[with Pan Sonic and Sonar]

Poster: Photo of poster.

Ad: Scan of ad.


New York City 17-May-03

17-May-03
US NY,New York City,87 Lafayette street
benefit for Tribeca firehouse

Setlist: White Man/ Looking For Love/ Wrong Decision/ Misery Train/ Ghost Rider/ ?/ Dream Baby Dream/ Staying Alive/?

Photo: Credit Ryan Skeleton Boy [Woman].


Roskilde 27-Jun-03

27-Jun-03
DK Roskilde,Open Air festival

Flyer: e-Flyer.


Evreux 28-Jun-03

28-Jun-03
FR Evreux,Hippodrome
Le Rock dans tous ses états festival,Scène B
[with Tricky, Beth Gibbons,...]

Note: Suicide headlines day two of the festival.

Poster: Photo of poster.


01-Jul-03
AT Wien,Flex

03-Jul-03
DE Bielefeld,Forum


Belfort 05-Jul-03

05-Jul-03
FR Belfort-Presqu'ïle de Malsaucy,La Loggia stage
Eurockéennes festival
[with Tricky, Goldfrapp,..]

Photo: Photo credit Jean-Pascal Blache.


02-Aug-03
PT Oporto,CBT Heineken Dance Festival


Benicassim 10-Aug-03

10-Aug-03
ES Benicassim,Festival Internacional de Benicàssim/FIB
[with Moby, Suede, Calexico, Goldfrapp,...]

Poster: e-Poster.


13-Jan-04
DE Berlin,Club Polar TV

15-Jan-04
IT Milano,Plastic club

16-Jan-04
IT Venezia,Mythos Club

17-Jan-04
IT Rimini,Velvet

Note: Short 4-date European tour.


New York City 23-Jul-04

23-Jul-04
US NY,New York City,The Knitting Factory
[with The Homosexuals (in exile)]

Ad: Scan from Village Voice 14-Jul-04.


31-Jul-04
PT Lisboa,Paradiso Garage


New York City 03-Sep-04

03-Sep-04
US NY,New York City,Rothko
[with Two Gallants, Dead Combo and Free Blood]

Setlist: A.o. White Man/ Wrong Decisions/ Dream Baby Dream.

Photo: Screenshot of a video filmed by Joly MacFie and broadcast by PunkCast. Available from Internet Archive.


15-Jan-05
US NY,New York City,The Knitting Factory


22-Jan-05
IT Roma,Villagio Globale
[with Pan Sonic]


London 24-Jan-05

24-Jan-05
UK London,Camden,The Electric Ballroom

Ad: Scan of ad.


Paris 25-Jan-05

25-Jan-05
FR Paris,La Locomotive
[with Morthem Vlade Art]

Setlist: White Man/ Uptown Line (a.k.a Whipeout Beat)/ Wrong Decisions/ First Come First Serve/ Cheree/ Ghost Rider/ Death Machine/ Dream Baby Dream/ Stay Alive.

Photo: Screen capture from DVD.

Ticket: Scan of ticket.

Note: Available on the "One Day/Live At La Loco" DVD (2006).


31-Jan-05
UK Re-release of their "A Way Of Life" and (a remixed version of) "Why Be Blue?" albums with bonus live CD (Blast First/Mute).


Camber Sands 22-Apr-05

22/24-Apr-05
UK Camber Sands,All Tomorrow's Parties Festival
Curated by Vincent Gallo.
[with Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, I am Kloot, Lydia Lunch..]

Flyer: e-Flyer.


08-Jul-05
RU Mockba,B2


04-Oct-06
FR Paris,l'Olympia
Festival d'Automne
[with Sonic Youth, Patti Smith and Placebo]


London 18-Jun-07

18-Jun-07
UK London,The Brewery,Mojo 2007 Awards

Note: Suicide receives the "Innovation in Sound" award. Other awards are "Album of the Year": Grinderman, "Lifetime Achievement Award": The Stooges, and many more.. "Alan was convinced it was all a joke, or that I paid Mojo's publishers scads of cash to buy the award," says Paul Smith [Blast First]. "We were originally supposed to get Classic Album but a major label dropped a wad of advertising support (the reissue of Bob Marley's "Exodus" album) and suddenly we were offered a different category. It was so very much the music biz! Our publicist Sarah Lowe snuck us into the big stars' photo because we weren't actually invited." From "Dream Baby Dream: Suicide: A New York City Story", a book by Kris Needs.

Photo: Credit Ross Halfin.


19-Jun-07
UK London-Islington,Buffalo Bar
(secret short warm-up show for next day's concert)


20-Jun-07
UK London,The Forum
[support for Grinderman and Seasick Steve]

Setlist: ?/ Ghost Rider/ Dream Baby Dream/ Stayin' Alive/ ? + with Grinderman: Harlem/ Mr.Ray.


New York City 27-Jul-07

27-Jul-07
US NY,New York City,Pier 17, South Street Seaport
[with Death Set]

Setlist: Saturn Drive/ White Man/ Dachau, Disney, Disco/ Ghost Rider/ Cheree/ Death Machine/ Wrong Decisions/ Frankie Teardrop/ Psychopatha.

Photo: Credit Olgu Aytac.

Note: Concert available on "Suicide: South Street Seaport 2007", a film by Howard Thompson and Eric Maché.


Brooklyn 15-May-08

15-May-08
US NY,Brooklyn,Greenpoint,Club Europa
[with Child Abuse]

Photo: Credit Zach Dilgard.

Note: Child Abuse is Tim Dahl's band. Tim will in 2013 join Lydia Lunch's Retrovirus project.


October 2008
UK To celebrate Alan Vega's 70th birthday (born 23rd of June 1938) Blast First Petite starts a 10" series which has several artists covering Suicide songs (Bruce Springsteen being the first) with additional tracks from the Suicide/Alan Vega vaults.


30-Oct-08
US NY,New York City,Webster Hall
[with Justice]


Brooklyn 11-Dec-08

11-Dec-08
US NY,Brooklyn,Greenpoint,Club Europa
[with A.R.E. Weapons, Goonsquad, Lone Wolf]

Setlist: Rocket USA/ new song/ Wrong Decisions/ Surrender/ Ghost Rider/ Shimmer/ Girl.

Poster: e-Poster.


17-Apr-09

17-Apr-09
TR Istanbul,Maslak,Istanbul Rock festival

Flyer: e-Flyer.


Prestenice 11-Jul-09

11-Jul-09
CZ Prestenice,OpenAir MusicFest 2009

Flyer: e-Flyer.


Monticello 11-Sep-09

11-Sep-09
US NY,Monticello,Kutshers Country Club,ATP NY 2009 festival
(performance of the complete first album)

Setlist: Ghost Rider/ Rocket U.S.A./ Cheree/ Johnny/ Girl/ Frankie Teardrop/ Che/ Dream Baby Dream.

Photo: Credit Roger Kisby. Sourced from Gettyimages music photo libraries.

Flyer: e-Flyer.


London 02/03-May-10

02-May-10
UK London,Hammersmith Apollo,ATP festival
[with The Stooges]
(performance of the complete first album)

Setlist: Ghost Rider/ Rocket U.S.A./ Cheree/ Johnny/ Girl/ Frankie Teardrop/ Che.

Flyer: e-Flyer.


London 03-May-10

03-May-10
UK London,Hammersmith Apollo,ATP festival
[with The Stooges]
(performance of the complete first album)

Setlist: Ghost Rider/ Rocket U.S.A./ Cheree/ Johnny/ Girl/ Frankie Teardrop/ Che.

Photo: Credit Marc Broussely. Sourced from Gettyimages/Redferns music photo libraries.

Flyer: e-Flyer.


København 27-Aug-10

27-Aug-10
DK København,Statens Museum For Kunst
(performance of the complete first album)

Setlist: Ghost Rider/ Rocket U.S.A./ Cheree/ Johnny/ Girl/ Frankie Teardrop/ Che/ Dream Baby Dream.

Flyer: e-Flyer courtesy of Lars @ Artfreq.org.


01-Sep-10
IT Bologna,Locomotiv Club
[with Heavy Trash]


04-Sep-10
CH Lausanne,Les Docks
[with Agent Side Grinder]

Setlist: Intro/ Ghost Rider/ Rocket U.S.A./ Girl/ ..and more.

Note: Released on a limited cassette (Klangarkivet label 2011) with Agent Side Grinder.


Barcelona 26-May-11

26-May-11
ES Barcelona,Parc del Fòrum,Ray Ban Stage
Primavera Sound Festival
[with PIL, Grinderman, etc..]

Setlist: Ghost Rider/ Rocket U.S.A./ Cheree/ Johnny/ Girl/ Frankie Teardrop/ Che/ Dream Baby Dream.

Photo: © Christoph . Used with kind permission.

Note: Broadcast by WFMU-FM (East Orange, NJ - USA).


Asheville 29-Oct-11

29-Oct-11
US NC,Asheville,Civic Center,Moogfest
[with Tangerine Dream,...]

Setlist: Ghost Rider/ Rocket U.S.A./ Cheree/ Johnny/ Girl/ Frankie Teardrop/ Che.

Note: Performing their legendary first album "Suicide"


16-Mar-12
US NY,New York City,at the age of 74 Alan Vega suffers a heart attack and a massive stroke, eventually undergoing surgery, which wasn't initially thought to be viable, but in the meantime Alan recovered fairly OK.

"He's basically kept alive through the medication he takes. It was very challenging because he still has difficulty speaking and finding words... He still gets confused at times. His knees are almost totally riddled with arthritis, making it very difficult for him to walk." Liz Lamere, as quoted in "Dream Baby Dream: Suicide: A New York City Story", a book by Kris Needs.


02/05-Aug-12
PL Katowice,Off festival
[with The Stooges, Swans, Thurston Moore, etc..]

Note: Suicide's show is cancelled.


New York City 29-Nov-12

29-Nov-12
US NY,New York City, (Le) Poisson Rouge
[with Bush Tetras and Sediment Club]

Poster: e-Poster.

Note: Bush Tetras "Happy" records release show. Suicide's show is cancelled.


Marseilles 05-Jul-14

05-Jul-14
FR Marseilles,Iles du Frioul,Hôpital Caroline
MIMI Festival

Setlist: (a.o.) Death Machine/ Cheree/ Ghost Rider/..

Photo: Screen captures taken from "Infinite Dreamers", a (2016) film by Marc Hurtado.

Poster: e-Poster.

Note: First live show after Alan's heart attack/stroke 2 years earlier. A fan jumps on stage during the first song and gives Alan a hug and a kiss.


Paris 08-Jul-14

08-Jul-14
FR Paris,La Gaété Lyrique
[with DDDxie + Christeene]

Setlist: Ghost Rider/ Rocket U.S.A./ Cheree/ Girl/ Johnny/ ?/ Harlem/ Rain Of Ruin/ Frankie Teardrop/ ?

Photo: Screen capture from private video.


New York City 07-Mar-15

07-Mar-15
US NY,New York City,Webster Hall,Grande Ballroom
[with The Vacant Lots, Pharmakon]

Promo: "The Vacant Lots have been invited to support Suicide in New York, at what will be the legendary synth duo's first hometown show in over six years. Suicide frontman Alan Vega recently finished work on a remix of "6 AM" from The Vacant Lots' debut album, 'Departure'"

Photo: Credit © Greg Cristman . Used with kind permission.

Flyer: e-Flyer .


London 09-Jul-15

09-Jul-15
UK London,The Barbican Centre

Setlist: Feral choir (5mins); Henry Rollins: "Liturgy of the word" (20mins); Marty Rev performing "Stigmata" (20mins) (with Finlay Shakespeare and 3 backing singers from Sense of Sound): Whispering Bells (Del Vikings)/ Laudaumas/ Jubilate/ Domine/ Sanctus; Alan Vega performing "IT" (25mins) (with Liz Lamere and Dante Vega): Prayer/ Vision/ Screaming Jesus/ Stars; intermission (20mins); Feral choir (5mins); Suicide performing "Punk Mass" (30mins); Cheree, Frankie Teardrop, Surrender, (with Henry Rollins): Ghostrider; (with Bobby Gillespie and Jehnny Beth): Dream Baby Dream.

Photo: Credit Telegraph.co.uk.

Ad: Photo of advert.

Review: Mojo magazine #263, October 2015.

Note: Part of "Station to Station: A 30 Day Happening", a project by Doug Aitken. Last ever Suicide live show.


Borlänge 09-Jul-16

09-Jul-16
SE Borlänge,Folkets Park
Peace and Love festival

Poster: e-Poster.

Note: Suicide's participation cancelled. Alan Vega fell and broke his hip on May 20th and had surgery on the 23rd.


15-Jul-16
US NY,New York City,at the age of 78 Alan Vega died peacefully in his sleep on late Friday night.
He is survived by his family, wife Liz and son Dante. Obituaries from the New York Times, the Boston Globe 20-Jul-16 and the Los Angeles Times 21-Jul-16.


Joshua Tree 14/16-Oct-16

16-Oct-16
CA,Joshua Tree,Institute of Mentalphysics
Desert Daze festival
[with Primus, Television,..]

Poster: e-Poster.

Note: Suicide's participation cancelled and replaced by a tribute to Alan Vega, featuring: Ariel Pink Justin Pearson [The Locust/Retox], Tamaryn, Joe Cardamone [The Icarus Line], Bonnie Bloomgarden [Death Valley Girls], Jason Miller [Lumerians], Allison Wolfe [Bratmobile/Sex Stains], and music by Greg Foreman [Cat Power/Delta 72].



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