Suicidal Tendencies: The Evolution of a Legendary Crossover Thrash Band

Formed in 1980, Suicidal Tendencies is an American crossover thrash band from Venice, California. Over the years, the group has undergone several lineup changes, but their music has always remained true to their punk and hardcore roots.

The band was founded by vocalist Mike Muir, guitarist Mike Ball, bassist Mike Dunnigan, and drummer Carlos 'Egie' Egert. Their early days were marked by a series of demo recordings and gigs around the Los Angeles area. In 1982, Mike Dunnigan switched to guitar, and Louiche Mayorga took over on bass.

In 1983, Suicidal Tendencies released their first single, 'I Saw Your Mommy,' for the Mystic Records compilation Slamulation. This was followed by the band's self-titled debut album in 1983, which featured a unique blend of punk, hardcore, and thrash metal.

The early days were marked by instability in the lineup, with several members leaving and being replaced over the years. In 1984, Leonard 'Rocky' George joined the band on guitar, replacing Jon Nelson, who had briefly filled in as a second guitarist. Rocky George remained a member of the band until their breakup in 1995.

Despite the changes, Suicidal Tendencies continued to tour and record music, releasing albums like 'Join the Army' in 1987 and 'The Boys Are Back' on their own label, Welcome to Venice, in 1985. The latter album was a critical and commercial success, cementing the band's reputation as one of the leading acts in the crossover thrash genre.

After Suicidal Tendencies disbanded in 1995, Mike Muir went on to form the punk supergroup Punky Reggae Party with other musicians from the LA scene. In 2008, he reformed Suicidal Tendencies, recruiting a new lineup that has been stable for several years now.

Today, Suicidal Tendencies continues to tour and record music, with their latest album released in . The band's current lineup features lead guitarist Dean Pleasants (since 1996), bassist Roberto 'Ra' Díaz (since 2016), rhythm guitarist Ben Weinman (since 2018), and drummer Greyson Nekrutman (since 2023).

Throughout their career, Suicidal Tendencies has been known for their high-energy live performances, which combine punk's raw energy with metal's heavy riffs. Despite the ups and downs over the years, the band remains a beloved institution in the world of crossover thrash.

Watch Suicidal Tendencies performing live on Vimeo 'Do not download software from unofficial websites.'.

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