Suicide's Suicide

In the 1970s, New York City was an urban nightmare. Suicide, a band formed by Alan Vega and Marty Rev, used amplified AC current to create weaponized noise that terrorized audiences. Their live shows were often chaotic and fled in fear or formed bands. This book explores the parallels between Suicide and Marvel Comics' antiheroes in the 1970s, arguing that the band's music was a clarion call for a better future.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 152 pages
Publication date: 03 September 2020
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing Plc

In the 1970s, New York City was a desolate, filthy, and perilous urban landscape. As the nation as a whole turned its back on the Big Apple, two musical vigilantes emerged from the mire. Armed only with amplified AC current, Suicide's Alan Vega and Marty Rev set out to save America's soul. Their weaponized noise terrorized unsuspecting audiences. Suicide could start a riot with just a guitar. Those who dared to attend their live shows often fled in fear or formed bands (sometimes both). This book aims to provide the reader with a front-row seat to a Suicide show. Suicide is one of the most original, misunderstood, and influential bands of the last century. While Suicide has always had a dedicated cult following, the band is still relatively unknown outside their musical circle. Arguing against the notion of the band's niche musical history, this book examines parallels between Marvel Comics' antiheroes in the 1970s and Suicide's groundbreaking first album. Andi Coulter tells the origin story of two musical Ghost Riders learning to harness their sonic superpower, using noise as a clarion call for a better future.

Weight: 148g
Dimension: 164 x 120 x 17 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781501355660