HomeGutter's News Three decades later, Suicidal Tendencies still going strong
Three decades later, Suicidal Tendencies still going strong
Written by fff
Thursday, 18 December 2008
Years ago, Mike Muir sat down for an interview with a writer from a punk fanzine to talk about the future of his band, Suicidal Tendencies
When asked where he thought the group would be in five years, he scoffed.
"I don't know, but I don't think I'll be doing the band," he recalled telling the writer. "I said 'I don't believe in five-year plans.'"
That was nearly 30 years ago.
Since then, the band has gone on to become one of the most recognizable rock groups in the business with a sound that can't be replicated.
"I said, 'Well, the only way we'll still be a band is if I can say I'm proud of everything we did and that it didn't become a job,'" Muir said in an interview with the Tribune from a tour stop in Detroit.
"We don't have those blackmail photos that a lot of other bands have. We didn't try to go seven different styles that were popular and (they) didn't work so then the next thing came and we tried to do that."
"I think that I can be very proud to wear my Suicidal shirt wherever I go," Muir continued.
These days, multiple generations of fans attend the shows, which has helped Muir realize the band's historical importance.
"We have at least three generations of families at the shows ... all the way to a great-grandfather, grandfather, mom and kids," Muir said. "I think that's a rare thing."
"Last night, there were these kids and they're like 'Can you come take a picture with my mom?'" Muir said with a laugh. "It was kind of funny."
Suicidal Tendencies was one of the biggest metal bands in the world in 1990 after releasing the album "Lights ... Camera ... Revolution," featuring songs such as "You Can't Bring Me Down," "Lovely" and "Send Me Your Money." Prior to that release, the group enjoyed success with the songs "How Will I Laugh Tomorrow," and "Institutionalized," the latter of which is featured on "Guitar Hero," and in the recent hit film "Iron Man."
Suicidal Tendencies has been somewhat of a farm team for members who have moved on to other groups. Guitarist Rocky George now plays with Fishbone; bassist Robert Trujillo is in Metallica; drummer Jimmy DeGrasso played a stint in Megadeth; while drummer Josh Freese has played with everyone from Sting to Nine Inch Nails, Guns 'N Roses and A Perfect Circle.
Losing groundbreaking members only opens the door for others to learn and evolve, according to Muir, whose older brother Jim was one of the original Z-Boys made famous in the "Dogtown" films.
"They were the first ones that emptied out pools and skated in pools, and people 10, 20 years later, they're way better than (the Z-Boys) were," Muir said of his brother. "I think that's the same thing musically. Once you see something and know it's possible, you're way ahead of the game."
"Before Robert (Trujillo) people didn't slap the bass in rock stuff," he continued. "Robert's a great guy, but ... Steve was 16 years old and he was playing with Snoop Dogg."
Muir said he's the only one remaining from the 1981 lineup, and guitarist Mike Clark is the only other remaining musician from the '80s.
He wants his current lineup to get as much credit as possible.
"As I tell those guys, I say, 'Hey, if after the show, if all those people are just talking about me, then it wasn't a very good show,'" Muir said. "When someone comes up and goes 'Mike, oh, my god. I can't believe Steve. I can't believe the drummer,' that's how I know we're doing good. That's the biggest compliment I can get."
It's been nearly 10 years since Suicidal Tendencies released a new studio album, but the wait is about over with a new record set for release next year.
The band is known for its anthemic songs with honest lyrics, but Muir said it's up to individuals to change the world, not rock bands.
"When they had the elections, I was like 'I hope for the best,' but I think a lot of people think 'Wow, all I gotta do is get up and get my morning coffee and the world's gonna change. I wasn't brought up that way. It takes a lot more than just politics," he said with a laugh, going on to talk about the upcoming single "Come Alive."
"There's a lot of people ... their heart's beating and they've got brain waves, but they're not livin.' It's about taking control and standing up and realizing that you're always gonna have an excuse to sit back and wait and see what happens."
"You've gotta take control. I've gotta take control," he continued. "I don't want someone else to have that control, and I'll do my best to fight to keep them from having it."
Douglas can be reached by e-mail at
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