Suicide

Travel a hundred years into the future, and Suicide’s synth-punk would still sound ahead of its time. Released seven years after singer Alan Vega and keyboardist Martin Rev first came together, the New York duo’s 1977 self-titled debut is an eerie and oftentimes terrifying classic whose impact cuts across post-punk, industrial, techno, and indie rock. Though the pair were initially associated with New York punk, Suicide’s tense electronics, chilling screams, and antagonizing tactics (Vega often swung a bike chain onstage) frequently rattled and even angered audiences. But amazingly enough, Suicide could also sound romantic and mysterious, qualities that take center stage on their second record. Produced by Ric Ocasek of The Cars, 1980’s Suicide: Alan Vega and Martin Rev features “Dream Baby Dream,” a gorgeous ballad later covered by Bruce Sprinsgteen (whose Nebraska album was influenced by Suicide’s minimalist songwriting). With Vega and Rev focusing on productive solo careers by the mid-’80s, Suicide released just three more albums between 1988 and 2002. And although they continued playing high-profile shows like the annual Moogfest in 2011, Vega’s deteriorating health and eventual death in 2016 signaled the end of one of the most innovative bands to ever emerge from New York.