The Suicide Commandos are an American punk rock trio from

Minneapolis Minneapolis () is the largest city in Minnesota, United States, and the county seat of Hennepin County. The city is abundant in water, with thirteen lakes, wetlands, the Mississippi River, creeks and waterfalls. Minneapolis has its origins ...

Minnesota Minnesota () is a state in the upper midwestern region of the United States. It is the 12th largest U.S. state in area and the 22nd most populous, with over 5.75 million residents. Minnesota is home to western prairies, now given over to ...

, United States. They formed in 1975 and released two 7" EPs on an indie label in 1976 and 1977 before signing with Blank Records (a subsidiary label of

Mercury Records Mercury Records is an American record label owned by Universal Music Group. It had significant success as an independent operation in the 1940s and 1950s. Smash Records and Fontana Records were sub labels of Mercury. In the United States, it is ...

) in 1977 and releasing one album, ''Make a Record''. Despite their short original 4-year stint together, the Suicide Commandos are considered the pioneers for jump-starting a punk rock music scene in the

Twin Cities Twin cities are a special case of two neighboring cities or urban centres that grow into a single conurbation – or narrowly separated urban areas – over time. There are no formal criteria, but twin cities are generally comparable in statu ...

, which eventually produced bands like

The Suburbs ''The Suburbs'' is the third studio album by Canadian indie rock band Arcade Fire, released on August 2, 2010. Coinciding with its announcement, the band released a limited edition 12-inch single containing the title track and "Month of May".

Hüsker Dü Hüsker Dü () was an American punk rock band formed in Saint Paul, Minnesota, in 1979. The band's continual members were guitarist/vocalist Bob Mould, bassist/vocalist Greg Norton, and drummer/vocalist Grant Hart. They first gained notabili ...

, The Replacements and

Soul Asylum Soul Asylum is an American alternative rock band formed in 1981 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Their 1993 hit "Runaway Train (Soul Asylum song), Runaway Train" won the Grammy Award for Best Rock Song. The band was originally called Loud Fast Rule ...

History

Their first album, ''Make a Record'' was recorded and released in 1977, and then re-released on Mercury Records on CD in 1996 and on Island/DefJam iTunes in 2007. A

live album An album is a collection of audio recordings issued on compact disc (CD), Phonograph record, vinyl, audio tape, or another medium such as Digital distribution#Music, digital distribution. Albums of recorded sound were developed in the early ...

, ''The Suicide Commandos Commit Suicide Dance Concert'' was released on

Twin/Tone Records Twin/Tone Records was an independent record label based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, which operated from 1977 until 1994. It was the original home of influential Minnesota bands the Replacements and Soul Asylum and was instrumental in helping the T ...

in 1979, which was their last performance together before the band broke up. Only 1,000 numbered copies were pressed. In 2000 it was re-released on CD by Garage D'Or Records. The original vinyl release contained 19 tracks while the CD re-release increased this figure, bringing the total number of tracks to 32. Their 1977 song "Burn It Down" inspired a short film

directed Director may refer to: Literature * ''Director'' (magazine), a British magazine * ''The Director'' (novel), a 1971 novel by Henry Denker * ''The Director'' (play), a 2000 play by Nancy Hasty Music * Director (band), an Irish rock band * ''D ...

rock Rock most often refers to: * Rock (geology), a naturally occurring solid aggregate of minerals or mineraloids * Rock music, a genre of popular music Rock or Rocks may also refer to: Places United Kingdom * Rock, Caerphilly, a location in Wales ...

video Video is an electronic medium for the recording, copying, playback, broadcasting, and display of moving visual media. Video was first developed for mechanical television systems, which were quickly replaced by cathode-ray tube (CRT) syste ...

pioneer Chuck Statler, which featured the burning of a house the band had used for rehearsing for several years. "Burn It Down" was part of a Chuck Statler video retrospective at the Museum of Modern Art in 2006.

Hiatus

When the Commandos broke up in 1980, Almaas went to New York and formed a band called The Crackers, then issued a solo EP titled "Beat Rodeo". In 1982, Almaas formed a four-man group called (The) Beat Rodeo, which issued two well-received albums in the mid-80s before disbanding. Almaas then went solo again, issuing six albums over the next two decades.

Re-formation

The Suicide Commandos' song "Complicated Fun" was used for

Target Target may refer to: Physical items * Shooting target, used in marksmanship training and various shooting sports ** Bullseye (target), the goal one for which one aims in many of these sports ** Aiming point, in field artillery, fi ...

commercials for Xbox and PlayStation products in 2003–2004. The band was a headline act at the

Minnesota State Fair The Minnesota State Fair is the state fair of the U.S. state of Minnesota. Also known by its slogan, "The Great Minnesota Get-Together", it is the largest state fair in the United States by average daily attendance and the second-largest state fa ...

in 2007. Ahl and Osgood were street corner acoustic musicians in St. Paul during the 2008

Republican Republican can refer to: Political ideology * An advocate of a republic, a type of government that is not a monarchy or dictatorship, and is usually associated with the rule of law. ** Republicanism, the ideology in support of republics or agains ...

convention. On January 17, 2009 the Commandos played a benefit at Nick & Eddie in Minneapolis for Laura Kennedy, bassist and founding member of the NYC no-wave band the

Bush Tetras Bush Tetras are an American post-punk band from New York City, formed in 1979. They are best known for the 1980 song "Too Many Creeps", which exemplified the band's sound of "jagged rhythms, slicing guitars, and sniping vocals".David Thomas of

Pere Ubu Pere Ubu is an American rock group formed in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1975. The band had a variety of long-term and recurring band members, with singer David Thomas being the only member staying throughout the band's lifetime. They released their d ...

was guest vocalist. November 7, 2009 was declared "Suicide Commando Day" in the city of Minneapolis, MN by Mayor RT Rybak. On January 29, 2012, the band were a co-headlining act at the 7th Birthday Party for the popular member-supported radio station, "The Current" (89.3 FM). The event was held at 1st Avenue in downtown Minneapolis and brought thousands of the most dedicated fans of the radio station together to witness an important piece of punk rock history at a legendary Minneapolis venue. The Current released a ten-inch EP called "The Current Makes A Record" featuring studio performances by

The Hold Steady The Hold Steady is an American rock band originally from Minneapolis, Minnesota, now based in Brooklyn, New York, formed in 2003. The band consists of Craig Finn (vocals, guitar), Tad Kubler (guitar), Galen Polivka (bass), Bobby Drake (drums), ...

and The Suicide Commandos in a limited, numbered 1,000-copy edition to celebrate their 10th Anniversary in January 2015. (Much like the limited, numbered 1000 copies of Twin/Tone Records "The Commandos Commit Suicide Dance Party"- recorded performances of the Commandos "final shows" at The Longhorn Bar, Minneapolis in December 1978.) There was a Record Release Party featuring The Commandos and Craig Finn and Tad Kubler of The Hold Steady at The Turf Club, St. Paul January 16, 2015. On July 29, 2015, a new Hennepin County highway sign revealed that "The Suicide Commandos Punk Rock Band" had adopted a 1.5 mile stretch of Hennepin County Road 16 or McGinty Road in Minnetonka, MN. In 2016 the Commandos recorded their first studio album in 38 years. ''Time Bomb'' was recorded by

Kevin Bowe Kevin Bowe is a songwriter, record producer and musician from Minneapolis. He is most well known for his work with prominent rock and blues artists including Paul Westerberg and the Replacements, writing songs for hit albums by Jonny Lang and K ...

at Master Mix, Minneapolis, MN, mixed by

Mitch Easter Mitchell Blake Easter (born November 15, 1954) is a musician, songwriter, and record producer. Frequently associated with the jangle pop style of guitar music, he is known as producer of R.E.M.'s early albums from 1981 through 1984, and as frontm ...

at Fidelitorium, Kernersville, NC and mastered by Bruce Templeton at Microphonic Mastering, Minneapolis, MN. Additional recording happened in West Saugerties and Chester, NY. Minneapolis' pioneering alternative music label Twin/Tone Records was revived to release "Time Bomb"- the label's first release since 1994. Each member contributed four songs to the album. The thirteenth song, "If I Can't Make You Love Me" was co-written by the band. The first single, “Boogie’s Coldest Acre” became available to United States radio April 5, 2017. Twin/Tone Records began taking pre-orders April 15. 1,000 numbered copies of vinyl and downloads of the album release May 5, 2017, with Listening Party and in-store appearances that weekend. St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman and Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges declared May 5, 2017 "Commando Day" in the Twin Cities. Vinyl copies of "Time Bomb" sold out immediately. Suicide Commandos - First Avenue Star

The Suicide Commandos have been honored with a star on the outside mural of the

nightclub First Avenue, recognizing performers that have played sold-out shows or have otherwise demonstrated a major contribution to the culture at the iconic venue. Receiving a star "might be the most prestigious public honor an artist can receive in Minneapolis," according to journalist Steve Marsh. June 9th, 2021 The Smithsonian issued a "Museum Moment" press release noting that Chris Osgood's Commando motorcycle jacket had been added to the collection of the National Museum of American History, as well as a "Your Pal Chris Osgood" guitar pick. Osgood’s jacket and guitar pick “speak evocatively to the establishment of a global aesthetic of punk, established in a synergy of local scenes and community movements, from the Twin Cities to New York City and London,” explains the museum’s Curator of American Music John W. Troutman, adding that through the collection of these objects, the museum can “further develop its representation of Minneapolis’s diverse and extraordinarily significant music communities.”

Members

*Steve Almaas – bass,

vocals Singing is the act of creating musical sounds with the voice. A person who sings is called a singer, artist or vocalist (in jazz and/or popular music). Singers perform music (arias, recitatives, songs, etc.) that can be sung with or without ...

- he later joined Beat Rodeo *Dave Ahl –

drum The drum is a member of the percussion group of musical instruments. In the Hornbostel-Sachs classification system, it is a membranophone. Drums consist of at least one membrane, called a drumhead or drum skin, that is stretched over a she ...

s, vocals *Chris Osgood –

guitar The guitar is a fretted musical instrument that typically has six strings. It is usually held flat against the player's body and played by strumming or plucking the strings with the dominant hand, while simultaneously pressing selected stri ...

, vocals

Discography

''Make a Record''

Track listing: #"Shock Appeal" #"Attacking the Beat" #"Mosquito Crucifixion" #"Mr. Dr." #"Semi-Smart" #"Call of the Wild" #"You Can't" #"I Need a Torch" #"Kidnapped" #"Premature" #"I Don't Get It" #"Real Cool" #"She" (a cover of

The Monkees The Monkees were an American rock and pop band, formed in Los Angeles in 1966, whose lineup consisted of the American actor/musicians Micky Dolenz, Michael Nesmith and Peter Tork alongside English actor/singer Davy Jones. The group was conc ...

' song) #"Burn It Down" #"Match/Mismatch" #Mark He's A Terror - 45 Single

''The Commandos Commit Suicide Dance Concert''

CD Track Listing: #"Shake" #"Journey to the Center of the Mind" #"My Little Red Book" #" Back in the U.S.A." #"The American Ruse" #"It's My Life" #"Seven Deadly Finns" #"Fire" #"Real Good Time Together" #" Bits and Pieces" #"Emission Control" #"Cliché Ole" #"Monster Au Go Go" #"You Play Too Hard" #"I Think of You" #"There Goes Gladys" #"Keep Your Hands to Yourself" #"Complicated Fun" #"Shock Appeal" #"Attacking the Beat" #"She" #"She Said Yeah" #"I'll Wait" #"Mosquito Crucifixion" #"Three Cool Cats" #"Wild In the Streets" #"Fireball 500" #"You Can't" #"I Need a Torch" #"Burn It Down" #"O Carole /

Petticoat Junction ''Petticoat Junction'' is an American television sitcom that originally aired on CBS from September 1963 to April 1970. The series takes place at the Shady Rest Hotel, which is run by Kate Bradley; her three daughters Billie Jo, Bobbie Jo, and B ...

theme" #"

Born to Be Wild "Born to Be Wild" is a song written by Mars Bonfire and first performed by the band Steppenwolf. The song is often invoked in both popular and counter culture to denote a biker appearance or attitude. It is most notably featured in the 1969 fi ...

''The Legendary KQRS Concert 1976''

CDr Track Listing: #"Intro" #"Mosquito Crucifixion" #"The Silent Treatment" #"Commando Rhapsody" #"Premature" #"Call Of The Wild" #"Nervous Breakdown" #"Slow Down" #"Plastic Bullets" #"Emission Control" #"Wipe Out" #"Cliche Ole" #"Monster Au Go-Go" #"Action Woman" #"Bits And Pieces" #"I Fought The Law" #"Tent" #"Motorbikin'" #"Match/Mismatch" #"Shock Appeal" #"Personality Crisis" #"Search And Destroy" #"Anarchy In The U.K."

"Time Bomb" Twin/Tone Records TTR89403

#"Hallelujah Boys" (Almaas) #"Milk of Human Kindness" (Ahl) #"Boogie’s Coldest Acre" (Osgood) #"Try Again" (Almaas) #"Frogtown" (Ahl, Osgood) #"Pool Palace Cigar" (Osgood) #"When I Do It, It’s O.K." (Almaas) #"If I Can’t Make You Love Me" (Almaas, Ahl, Osgood) #"Ghost Burrito" (Osgood) #"For Such A Mean Time" (Almaas) #"Cocktail Shaker" (Ahl) #"The Wrong Time" (Almaas) #"Late Lost Stolen Mangled Misdirected" (Osgood) #"Boogie’s Coldest Acre" (Osgood) Radio Edit included on Radio Promo CD

References

External links

The Commandos Commit Suicide Dance Concert album digital download
{{DEFAULTSORT:Suicide Commandos, The Punk rock groups from Minnesota American musical trios Musical groups established in 1975 Musical groups disestablished in 1979