Suicidal Tendencies – “Join The Army”
Suicidal Tendencies is a band Andy Bang picked this week, one I dont know much about.
But their 1983 tune, “Institutionalized,” I am quite aware of. It would be hard to be alive and cognizant of current music at the time and not hear this song on FM music stations or see it on video at MTV.
And listening to this band now, I think, what a wonderful mix of punk, metal and hardcore. And reading how they were one of the first crossover bands and the “fathers of crossover thrash,” – I think, what a band worthy of acknowledgement, indeed.
So sit back and relax and allow us to do our dual texting. Unless, you’ve been exposed to harmful, radiation chemicals- do not attempt this at home.
We, thankfully, haven’t – we just act as if this has actually occurred.
Please contact Hazmat if any of our words can be attributed to any noxious, unsettling behavior on your behalf. But if you witness that in us, consider it normal.
Andy- So here we are back again to present yet another great musical retrospective. The artist I’ve selected tonight was one of the first hardcore punk bands to receive airtime on MTV with their hit tune “Institutionalized.” Yes, that’s right, it’s none other than California’s, Suicidal Tendencies.
Slimedog- I never really checked them out before, but “Institutionalized,” was impossible to miss back then. And it seems they’re credited with inventing “Crossover Thrash?”
Andy- Yes that’s true, along with DRI, SOD and Corrosion Of Conformity. The album I’ve selected is their second, “Join The Army,” which earmarks the beginning of their transition from hardcore to thrashcore.
Slimedog- I assume they’re referring to the Kiss Army?
Andy- Probably not since West Coast bands hardly ever mingle with East Coast bands.
Slimedog- True, and I’m not sure about this, but according to my sources, the singer is the son of Captain & Tennille.
Andy- I believe you are grossly mis-informed. Your sources didn’t happen to come from the NY Times did they?
Slimedog- No, as you know, I’m a writer for the President now. I write all his Twitter posts. I’m usually so drunk when I write them that I don’t remember them the next day, but it seems to be going extremely well. I’m privy to classified information. But are you allowed to state what the first song is today?
Andy- I figured we’d start with the first tune on the album called “Suicidal Maniac.” It starts with a cool guitar intro and then explodes into a high paced joy ride.
Slimedog- This song has a nice guitar lick and reminds me of Motorhead, kind of like where metal meets hardcore.
Andy- For some strange reason they remind me of The Dictators on meth.
Slimedog- Yes, but they are also original sounding, harking back to the early hardcore sound. Lots of loose energy and a great, Van Halen sounding like solo- excellent song.
Andy- Ya, all very good musicians. This was their first album with guitarist Rocky George who does a terrific job. The next tune is, “You Got, I Want.” Another cool fast paced tune with nice alternating drums and bass at the start and an amazing guitar solo in the middle.
Slimedog- Yeah, I like the modified Bo Didley beat, the Chuck Berry/Johnny Thunders guitar. I’m calling this a punk/hair metal tune.
Andy- Ya very cool. Definitely more towards the metal side versus hardcore. The next tune is one of my all time favorite hardcore tunes by these guys. It’s of course, “War Inside My Head,” featuring an awesome classic hardcore riff.
Slimedog- Yeah, a nice doom-y guitar riff and a vocal that recalls Handsome Dick of The Dictators. Another great solo and a perfect blend of thrash, metal and punk. I was so sad to read in my documents of the lead singer committing suicide after this recording, I guess he had more than tendencies.
Andy- Umm, actually Mike Muir, the singer, is the only original member still in the band. I think you need to turn over your sources and stop spreading “fake news.”
Slimedog- Well, I’m relieved to hear that, I just figured it had to do with finding out he was actually the illegitimate son of Captain & Tennille. I cannot reveal my source except to say, they were a popular husband/wife recording artist in the seventies.
Andy- Hmm that narrows it down. But I thought one of them died in a skiing accident. Or maybe I have my couples mixed up.
Slimedog- Oh yeah. You’re thinking of Sonny & Cher. In fact, Cher died in a tragic, kitchen appliance accident, that is, according to my official documents.
Andy- And I believe Sonny went on to star in the latest ABBA movie.
Slimedog- Now we’re back on track! Yes, he looked simply stunning in that glittering, evening gown.
Andy- Getting back to our final selection of the evening. The last tune is called “Human Guinea Pig” and starts with a cool psychedelic intro that gives way to a speedy punk paced romp.
Slimedog- Yeah, I have some info that the singer, recently got a species change to a guinea pig and is involved in experiments to better all of mankind, but alas, I am unable to confirm this. Another nice mix of hardcore, metal and punk with an elaborate guitar solo flung across it.
Andy- Awesome stuff. I’d have to say I am very impressed with Suicide’s body of work. In fact, I believe they just released yet another brand new album as well.
Slimedog- Reunited with their singer, who, before he became a guinea pig- got a sex change in the nineties and was one of the original Spice Girls known as Sugar’N’ Spice back then. (Side note: He influenced how Thrash’N’Bang got its’ name!)
Andy- Ah, well, ya that’s it. Your source has some amazing info.
Slimedog- Yes, but I think we can both agree that Suicidal Tendencies was, and is, a great hardcore band utilizing all the great genres we write about.
Andy- True. What should we do next? Perhaps a combination metal, jazz with a sprinkle of opera type band?
Slimedog- Well, just out of the blue, I’m thinking of Captain & Tennille’s “Love Will Keep Us Recording The Sappiest Songs Imaginable As Long As The Dollars Keep Rolling In,” but I’m also leaning towards Sonny & Cher’s “Look Out! There’s A Tree!”
Andy- I can hardly wait…
