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Band Timeline

1980

Formation of Suicidal Tendencies in Venice, California

Suicidal Tendencies was formed in 1980 in Venice, California, initiated by vocalist Mike Muir. The original lineup featured Mike Muir on vocals, Mike Ball on guitar, Carlos 'Egie' Egert on drums, and Mike Dunnigan on bass. From the beginning, the band was rooted in punk but was destined to evolve musically and influence emerging genres.
1983

Debut Album Release and Breakthrough with 'Institutionalized'

In 1983, Suicidal Tendencies released their self-titled debut album. This record marked their first significant success and included the single 'Institutionalized,' which was one of the pioneering hardcore punk videos to gain substantial airplay on MTV. This exposure drastically increased their visibility, contributing to their growing fan base and setting the stage for their influential role in crossover thrash music.
1987

Release of 'Join the Army' and Emergence on Billboard 200

By 1987, Suicidal Tendencies' experimentation with a heavier sound culminated in their second studio album, 'Join the Army.' This album entered the Billboard 200 chart, highlighting the band's rising popularity. The record was notable for helping to create and popularize the crossover thrash genre, blending hardcore punk with thrash metal elements, and establishing their place in the evolving metal scene.
1988-1990

Major Label Debut and Gold Certifications

Between 1988 and 1990, Suicidal Tendencies released three major albums under Epic Records: 'How Will I Laugh Tomorrow When I Can't Even Smile Today' (1988), 'Controlled by Hatred/Feel Like Shit... Déjà Vu' (1989), and 'Lights...Camera...Revolution!' (1990). These albums were critically acclaimed within thrash and heavy metal circles. The latter two albums were particularly successful, earning gold certifications from the RIAA, cementing the band's stature in the metal community.
1992

Peak Chart Success with 'The Art of Rebellion'

In 1992, the band released 'The Art of Rebellion,' their sixth studio album, which achieved their highest position on the Billboard 200, peaking at number 52. The album featured some of their most popular songs like 'Asleep at the Wheel,' 'Nobody Hears,' and 'I'll Hate You Better.' This release showcased the band’s musical experimentation, incorporating thrash, progressive, and funk influences, marking a pivotal moment in their creative evolution.
1993-1994

Continued Musical Experimentation and Releases

Following their peak success, Suicidal Tendencies continued to explore diverse musical styles evident in their albums 'Still Cyco After All These Years' (1993) and 'Suicidal for Life' (1994). These records delved deeper into thrash metal while incorporating progressive and funk elements, pushing the boundaries of their sound. Despite solidifying their artistic identity, these years also signaled challenges that led to the band's disbandment shortly afterwards.
1995-1996

Disbandment and Reformation with New Lineup

In 1995, Suicidal Tendencies disbanded after parting ways with Epic Records. However, vocalist Mike Muir and guitarist Mike Clark revived the band one year later in 1996 with a completely new lineup. This regrouping marked a new chapter, signaling resilience and a desire to continue their influence in the metal and punk scenes despite previous setbacks.
1999-2000

Release of 'Freedumb' and 'Free Your Soul and Save My Mind'

The band returned to the studio with fresh energy, releasing two studio albums: 'Freedumb' in 1999 and 'Free Your Soul and Save My Mind' in 2000. These albums presented new material and demonstrated the band’s persistence in producing hard-hitting thrash music. Their work in this period helped maintain their relevance in the evolving metal landscape and retained their loyal fan base.
2001-2008

Reduced Studio Output and Focus on Live Performances

Throughout the 2000s, Suicidal Tendencies' recorded output was quieter, with fewer new studio albums. Instead, the band concentrated on live performances, occasionally introducing new songs during concerts and contributing tracks to split and compilation albums. Releases such as 'Friends & Family, Vol. 2' (2001) and 'Year of the Cycos' (2008) provided fans with new material and highlighted their ongoing activity despite less frequent studio work.
2010-2018

Comeback with New Studio Albums and Re-recordings

The 2010s marked a significant comeback for Suicidal Tendencies, beginning with 'No Mercy Fool!/The Suicidal Family' (2010), an album of re-recorded material, followed by '13' (2013) and 'World Gone Mad' (2016), both featuring completely new original songs. These albums received favorable critical reviews, revitalizing the band's status. In 2018, they released the EP 'Get Your Fight On!' and 'Still Cyco Punk After All These Years,' an album with unreleased and re-recorded tracks, underscoring their continued creativity and influence in the genre.
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Members

Current

Name
Begin
Occupation

Jeff Pogan

2016

Electric guitar

Dean Pleasants

1996

Electric guitar

Mike Muir

1981

Lead vocals

Ra Díaz

2016

Electric bass guitar

Dave Lombardo

2016

Membranophone

History

Name
Begin
End
Occupation

Louiche Mayorga

1982
1987

Electric bass guitar

Thomas Pridgen

2014
2014

Membranophone

Mike Clark

1987
2012

Electric guitar

Josh Freese

1991
1992

Drums (drum set)

David Hidalgo Jr.

2005
2007

Membranophone

Amery Smith

1982
1984

Membranophone

Bob Heathcote

1987
1989

Electric bass guitar

Tim "Rawbiz" Williams

2011
2014

Electric bass guitar

Brooks Wackerman

1997
2001

Membranophone

R.J. Herrera

1986
1991

Membranophone

Ronald Bruner, Jr.

2001
2004

Membranophone

Josh Paul

1997
2001

Electric bass guitar

Grant Estes

1982
1983

Electric guitar

Jimmy DeGrasso

1992
1995

Membranophone

Nico Santora

2012
2016

Electric guitar

Robert Trujillo

1989
1995

Electric bass guitar

Thundercat

2002
2011

Electric bass guitar

Rocky George

1984
1995

Electric guitar

Ric Clayton

1988
1988

Electric bass guitar

Eric Moore

2008
2014

Membranophone

Michael John Morgan

2014
2016

Electric bass guitar

Jon Nelson

1983
1984

Electric guitar

Story of Suicidal Tendencies

Suicidal Tendencies, a seminal crossover thrash band, emerged from Venice, California in 1980, spearheaded by vocalist Mike Muir. While the lineup has seen significant turnover, Muir remains the sole constant member. Currently, the band features Muir, guitarists Dean Pleasants and Ben Weinman, bassist Tye Trujillo, and drummer Jay Weinberg. A veritable who`s who of musicians have graced the stage and studio over the years, including guitarists Rocky George and Mike Clark; bassists Louiche Mayorga, Robert Trujillo, Ra Díaz, Josh Paul, and Stephen "Thundercat" Bruner; and drummers Amery Smith, Jimmy DeGrasso, Brooks Wackerman, David Hidalgo Jr., Thomas Pridgen, Ron Bruner, Eric Moore, Dave Lombardo, Brandon Pertzborn, Greyson Nekrutman, and session ace Josh Freese.

Often cited alongside D.R.I., Corrosion of Conformity, and Stormtroopers of Death as a foundational force in crossover thrash, Suicidal Tendencies boasts a prolific discography. Their output includes fourteen studio albums (four comprised of re-recorded or previously released material), two EPs, four split albums, four compilations, and two long-form videos. Their self-titled debut in 1983 launched them into the spotlight, thanks in no small part to "Institutionalized," one of the first hardcore punk videos to receive significant MTV airplay. The band’s influence exponentially grew throughout the following decade. Their 1987 album, Join the Army, marked their Billboard 200 debut and showcased their evolving, heavier sound instrumental in shaping the crossover thrash genre. Their subsequent releases on Epic Records—*How Will I Laugh Tomorrow When I Cant Even Smile Today* (1988), *Controlled by Hatred/Feel Like Shit...Déjà Vu* (1989), and *Lights...Camera...Revolution!* (1990)—were critically acclaimed within the thrash and heavy metal scenes, with the latter two achieving RIAA gold certification. *The Art of Rebellion* (1992), their sixth studio album, became their biggest chart success, peaking at #52 on the Billboard 200 and featuring hits like "Asleep at the Wheel," "Nobody Hears," and "Ill Hate You Better."

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