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Alkaline Trio

The Suicide Machines

Band history

1991-1995: Jack Kevorkian and the Suicide Machines

The Suicide Machines formed in 1991 in Detroit, Michigan under the original name Jack Kevorkian and the Suicide Machines. The band's original lineup consisted of Jason Navarro on vocals, Dan Lukacinsky on guitar, Jason Brake on bass, and Stefan Rairigh on drums. This lineup lasted a year until Bill Jennings replaced Rairigh, but he was himself soon replaced by Derek Grant. They recorded the band's first demos The Essential Kevorkian and Green World in 1993 and 1994, both released through their own label Sluggo's Old Skool Records. They also released the "Vans Song" 7" single on Youth Rendition Records. Brake left the group in 1994 and was briefly replaced by Dave Smith until Royce Nunley joined as the new permanent bass player. The lineup of Navarro, Lukacinsky, Nunley, and Grant would last for the next four years. This lineup reduced the band's name to The Suicide Machines and recorded the Skank for Brains split album with The Rudiments.

1996-2001: Hollywood Records years

In 1995 the band signed to Hollywood Records, a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company. 1996 saw the release of their first album, Destruction by Definition. Its blend of punk rock and ska brought them national attention in the midst of the mid-1990s punk rock mainstream revival. The single "No Face" became a minor hit on modern rock radio stations and the album was supported through extensive touring across the United States. They released a follow-up in 1998 entitled Battle Hymns, which continued their ska punk style while incorporating more aggressive elements of hardcore punk and sociopolitical lyrics, with nearly all of its songs lasting under two minutes in length.

Following the release of Battle Hymns Grant left the band. He went on to play with numerous groups including Thoughts of Ionesco, The Vandals, Face to Face, and Telegraph before finding a permanent position in the Alkaline Trio. He was replaced by Erin Pitman for some touring before new permanent drummer Ryan Vandeberghe joined. In 2000 this lineup released The Suicide Machines, a more pop rock oriented effort that moved away from the ska influences of their earlier releases. They received some radio and video play for the single "Sometimes I Don't Mind" and performed on the Warped Tour that Summer. In 2001 they released Steal This Record, which continued their exploration of pop punk style while mixing in elements of their earlier ska punk and hardcore albums.

2002-2005: Side One Dummy Records years

Following touring in support of Steal This Record bassist Nunley left The Suicide Machines to start his own band, Blueprint 76, and was replaced by Rich Tschirhart. The band also ended their contract with Hollywood Records, fulfilling their contractual obligations by releasing the compilation album The Least Worst of the Suicide Machines. They then moved to the independent label Side One Dummy Records. Their next album A Match and Some Gasoline, released in 2003, found the band abandoning the pop experimentations of their previous two albums and returning more to the ska punk and hardcore styles of their earlier years. They also continued exploring sociopolitical themes in songs such as "Did You Ever Get a Feeling of Dread?" and "Your Silence," which were critical of President George W. Bush's administration, its response to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, and the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. They toured internationally in support of the album and again performed on the Warped Tour.

In 2005 the band released the album War Profiteering is Killing Us All, which continued their political themes by openly attacking the Bush White House, the continuation of the Iraq War, and conservative Republicanism. Navarro also launched his own record label, Noise Riot Records, and released On the Eve of Destruction: 1991-1995, a compilation of the band's early EPs, singles, and demos.

2006: Breakup and post-Suicide Machines activity

In 2006, while touring in support of War Profiteering is Killing Us All, the band abruptly broke up. Explanations given by the band members for this included Vandeberghe's desire to take a break from touring, which he did while friend Steve McCrumb filled for a performance at the Troubadour in Los Angeles on May 11. A tour of Mexico had been planned to follow this, and Navarro had suggested that the band perform its final shows that Christmas. However, interpersonal tensions came to a head after the Troubadour show when Lukacinsky refused to finish the tour. Lukacinsky himself further elaborated that the band had been planning to break up for some time.

Following the band's breakup Navarro and Vandeberghe continued working with Left in Ruin, a band they had started as a Suicide Machines side project and had worked on and off with for almost 6 years. Vandeberghe also joined the new band Hifi Handgrenades, and Tschirhart joined the band soon after. Later, Tschirhart formed another band called The A-Gang with former Mest drummer Nick Gigler. Lukacinsky, meanwhile, started his own band Bayonetting the Wounded, who broke up after a few demo recordings. He then moved to Japan and formed The One Thought Moment. Early 2008, Navarro formed another Detroit band, Hellmouth, in which he is back on lead vocals.

In late 2009, The Suicide Machines reunited for a beneficiary show in Detroit. The show was done to support a local activist, and was supported by many upcoming bands such as G-Had, The Cause, No Man and A-Gang.

Band members

The Suicide Machines lineups

(only official members listed)

(1991 - 1992)

live shows only

Jason Navarro - vocals

Dan Lukacinsky guitar

Jason Brake - bass

Stefan Rairigh - drums

(1992)

live shows only

Jason Navarro - vocals

Dan Lukacinsky guitar

Jason Brake - bass

Bill Jennings - drums

(1992 - 1994)

The Essential Kevorkian

Green World

"Vans Song" 7"

Jason Navarro - vocals

Dan Lukacinsky guitar

Jason Brake - bass

Derek Grant - drums

(1994)

live shows and demos only

Jason Navarro - vocals

Dan Lukacinsky guitar

Dave Smith - bass

Derek Grant - drums

(1995 - 1998)

Skank for Brains

Destruction by Definition

Live! Live! Live!

Battle Hymns

Jason Navarro - vocals

Dan Lukacinsky guitar

Royce Nunley - bass

Derek Grant - drums

(1998)

live shows only

Jason Navarro - vocals

Dan Lukacinsky guitar

Royce Nunley - bass

Erin Pitman - drums

(1998 - 2002)

The Suicide Machines

Steal This Record

Jason Navarro - vocals

Dan Lukacinsky guitar

Royce Nunley - bass

Ryan Vandeberghe drums

(2002 - 2006)

A Match and Some Gasoline

War Profiteering is Killing Us All

Jason Navarro - vocals

Dan Lukacinsky guitar

Rich Tschirhart - bass

Ryan Vandeberghe drums

Jason "Jay" Brake - bass guitar (1991-1994)

Dan Lukacinsky guitar, backing vocals (1991-2006)

Jason "Jay" Navarro vocals (1991-2006)

Stefan Rairigh - drums (1991-1992)

Bill Jennings - drums (1992)

Derek Grant - drums (1992-1998)

Dave Smith - bass (1994)

Royce Nunley - bass (1994-2002)

Erin Pitman - drums (1998)

Ryan Vandeberghe drums (1998-2006)

Rich Tschirhart bass guitar, backing vocals (2002-2006)

Discography

The Suicide Machines discography

Releases

tudio albums

6

ompilation albums

2

xtended plays

3

ingles

4

usic videos

6

emos

2

ther appearances

4

The discography of The Suicide Machines consists of six studio albums, two compilation albums, three EPs, four singles, two demos, and six music videos.

Studio albums

Year

Album details

Peak chart positions

US

Billboard 200

Heatseekers

1996

Destruction By Definition

Released: May 21, 1996

Label: Hollywood

Format: CD

32

1998

Battle Hymns

Released: April 7, 1998

Label: Hollywood

Format: CD, LP

127

3

2000

The Suicide Machines

Released: February 15, 2000

Label: Hollywood

Format: CD, CS

188

11

2001

Steal This Record

Released: September 25, 2001

Label: Hollywood

Format: CD

2003

A Match and Some Gasoline

Released: March 2003

Label: Side One Dummy

Format: CD

2005

War Profiteering Is Killing Us All

Released: August 9, 2005

Label: Side One Dummy

Format: CD, LP

"" denotes releases that did not chart.

Compilation albums

Year

Album details

2002

The Least Worst of the Suicide Machines

Released: September 24, 2002

Label: Hollywood

Format: CD

2006

On the Eve of Destruction: 1991-1995

Released: June 22, 2006

Label: Noise Riot

Format: CD

Extended plays

Year

Release details

1996

Skank for Brains

Released: July 18, 1996

Label: Dill

Format: CD

1998

Live! Live! Live!

Released: 1998

Label: Hollywood

Format: CD

2003

The Suicide Machines / Potshot

Released: 1998

Label: TV-Freak

Format: CD

Singles

Year

Single

Peak chart positions

Album

US

Modern Rock

1993

"Vans Song"

n/a

1997

"No Face"

31

Destruction By Definition

1998

"Give"

Battle Hymns

2000

"Sometimes I Don't Mind"

22

The Suicide Machines

"" denotes releases that did not chart.

"n/a" denotes singles that are not from albums.

Demos

Year

Release details

1993

The Essential Kevorkian

Released: 1993

Label: Sluggo's Old Skool

Format:

1994

Green World

Released: 1994

Label: Sluggo's Old Skool

Format:

Music videos

Year

Song

Director

Album

1996

"No Face"

Destruction By Definition

"S.O.S."

1998

"Give"

Battle Hymns

2000

"Sometimes I Don't Mind"

The Suicide Machines

2003

"Keep It a Crime"

A Match and Some Gasoline

2005

"War Profiteering Is Killing Us All"

Matthew Stawski

War Profiteering Is Killing Us All

Other appearances

The following songs by The Suicide Machines were released on compilation and tribute albums. This is not an exhaustive list; songs that were first released on the band's albums, EPs, and singles are not included.

Year

Release details

Track

1999

Anti-Racist Action

Released: January 12, 1999

Label: Asian Man

Format: CD

"Green World"

Before You Were Punk 2

Released: August 17, 1999

Label: Vagrant

Format: CD

"What I Like About You"

(originally performed by The Romantics)

2001

Plea for Peace: Take Action

Released: August 7, 2001

Label: Sub City / Asian Man

Format: CD

"For the Day"

2007

Our Impact Will Be Felt

Released: April 23, 2007

Label: Century Media

Format: CD

"Goatless"

(originally performed by Sick of It All)

References

^ "Punknews.org". http://www.punknews.org/article/17517. Retrieved 2007-03-19. 

^ "Suicide Machines to reunite for benefit show in November". 28 October 2009. http://www.punknews.org/article/35756. 

^ a b "The Suicide Machines: Charts & Awards: Billboard Albums". Allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&searchlink=SUICIDE. Retrieved 2010-01-22. 

^ "The Suicide Machines Album & Song Chart History: Billboard 200". Billboard charts. http://www.billboard.com/search/?keyword=suicide+machines&x=9&y=18#/artist/the-suicide-machines/chart-history/147695. Retrieved 2010-01-22. 

^ Henderson, Alex. "Destruction By Definition". Allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:jzftxqehldfe. Retrieved 2010-01-22. 

^ Prato, Greg. "Battle Hymns". Allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:dxfuxqyjld6e. Retrieved 2010-01-22. 

^ Huey, Steve. "The Suicide Machines". Allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:gvfqxqekldte. Retrieved 2010-01-22. 

^ Jonas, Liana. "Steal This Record". Allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:dcfuxqq0ldte. Retrieved 2010-01-22. 

^ "A Match and Some Gasoline". Allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:kxfexqqaldae. Retrieved 2010-01-22. 

^ Loftus, Johnny. "War Profiteering Is Killing Us All". Allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:hnfexqysld6e. Retrieved 2010-01-22. 

^ "The Least Worst of the Suicide Machines". Allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:hifqxq8ald0e. Retrieved 2010-01-22. 

^ "On the Eve of Destruction". Allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:gxfexqldldae. Retrieved 2010-01-22. 

^ "Skank for Brains". Allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:hbfoxqwhldje. Retrieved 2010-01-22. 

^ "Live! Live! Live!". Allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:hcfuxqwjldte. Retrieved 2010-01-22. 

^ "The Suicide Machines Album & Song Chart History: Alternative Songs". Billboard charts. http://www.billboard.com/search/?keyword=suicide+machines&x=9&y=18#/artist/the-suicide-machines/chart-history/147695?f=377&g=Singles. Retrieved 2010-01-22. 

^ "The Suicide Machines: Charts & Awards: Billboard Singles". Allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&searchlink=SUICIDE. Retrieved 2010-01-22. 

^ "'Give'". Allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:acfqxqejldhe. Retrieved 2010-01-22. 

^ ""War Profiteering Is Killing Us All" music video". MTV. http://www.mtv.com/videos/suicide-machines/69571/war-profiteering-is-killing-us-all.jhtml#artist=784. Retrieved 2010-01-22. 

^ Huey, Steve. "Anti-Racist Action Benefit". Allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:anfwxqejldte. Retrieved 2010-01-22. 

^ Huey, Steve. "Before You Were Punk, Vol. 2". Allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:apfixqykld6e. Retrieved 2010-01-22. 

^ Bregman, Adam. "Plea for Peace/Take Action 2001". Allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:dxfrxqe0ldde. Retrieved 2010-01-22. 

^ "Our Impact Will Be Felt: A Tribute to Sick of It All". Allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:fcftxzu5ldae. Retrieved 2010-01-22. 

External links

Official website

Official Myspace profile

SideOneDummy records official profile

Categories: American punk rock groups | Hollywood Records artists | Michigan hardcore punk groups | Musical groups from Detroit, Michigan

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Has anyone seen the Alkaline Trio tour w/ Cursive over the past couple weeks?

I'm wondering what order they're playing in... THANKS SO MUCH IN ADVANCE.

Alkaline Trio is the headliner, at least they are here. Which means they play last, which is fine by me because while Alkaline Trio are okay, I have no desire to see them live again - they were kind of boring the last time I saw them. Be prepared for Cursive to kick their ass!

Alkaline Trio-Time To Waste