Suicidal Tendencies

Formed in 1980 in Venice, CA, Suicidal Tendencies is considered one of the most influential crossover thrash bands of all time, owing to slashing metal riffs played at hardcore-caliber speed and Mike Muir’s aggressive vocals. As an example, look no further than the band’s landmark 1983 single “Institutionalized,” which combined frantic tempos and squealing guitars with frank lyrics about mental health and the decade’s moral panic over drugs. Suicidal Tendencies continued down a hardcore punk path on 1987’s ferocious Join the Army before leaning hard into crossover thrash on 1988’s How Will I Laugh Tomorrow When I Can’t Even Smile Today. In subsequent decades, lineup changes brought additional influences to the band’s sound; most notably, future Metallica bassist Robert Trujillo's snarling funk touches on 1990’s metal tour de force Lights… Camera… Revolution. Muir has since continued to lead Suicidal Tendencies—extending the band’s legacy and underscoring its influence on modern punk and metal.