# The Suicide Machines

The Suicide Machines are an American punk rock band formed in March 1991 in Detroit, Michigan. During the course of their career, the band has released seven full-length albums on the labels Hollywood Records, Side One Dummy Records and Fat Wreck Chords, as well as several EPs and singles. They have experienced lineup changes over the years, all with founding member Jason Navarro as lead singer and front man. The contemporary lineup includes Ryan Vandeberghe on drums, Rich Tschirhart on bass and Justin Malek on guitar.
The band's musical style initially blended elements of punk rock, ska, and hardcore into genres popularly known as ska punk and ska-core, which characterized their first two albums. After a brief foray in a more radio friendly direction, they shifted back towards their mid-1990s style, bringing back ska punk, as well as a heavier ferocity with strong political overtones that draws from early hardcore punk.
The Suicide Machines have achieved a high level of underground recognition through relentless touring, including multiple performances on the Warped Tour, Riot Fest and for many years their annual hometown Black Christmas festivals.
In 2019, the band entered Marc Jacob Hudson's Rancho Recordo, with producer Roger Lima of Less Than Jake to record a new full-length album, Revolution Spring. The album was released March 27, 2020, via Fat Wreck Chords. A music video, "To Play Caesar (Is To Be Stabbed To Death)" from the Revolution Spring album was released in 2020 as well.
In 2022, the band released a split 12" with Japanese band Coquettish titled Gebo Gomi on Bad Time Records.

## Band history
### 1991-1995: Jack Kevorkian and the Suicide Machines

The Suicide Machines formed in 1991 in Detroit, Michigan, under the original name Jack Kevorkian and the Suicide Machines. The band's original lineup consisted of Jason Navarro on vocals, Dan Lukacinsky on guitar, Jason Brake on bass guitar, and Stefan Rairigh on drums] This lineup lasted a year until Bill Jennings replaced Rairigh, but he was soon replaced by Derek Grant. They recorded the band's first demos The Essential Kevorkian and Green World in 1993 and 1994, both released through their own label Sluggo's Old Skool Records. They also released the "Vans Song" 7-inch single on Youth Rendition Records. Brake left the group in 1994 and was briefly replaced by Dave Smith until Royce Nunley joined on bass. The lineup of Navarro, Lukacinsky, Nunley, and Grant would last for the next four years. This lineup reduced the band's name to the Suicide Machines and recorded the Skank for Brains split album with the Rudiments.

### 1996-2001: Hollywood Records years

In 1995 the band signed to Hollywood Records. 1996 saw the release of their first album, Destruction by Definition. Its blend of punk rock and ska brought them national attention in the midst of the mid-1990s punk rock mainstream revival. The single "No Face" became a minor hit on modern rock radio stations and the album was supported through extensive touring across the United States. They released a follow-up in 1998 titled Battle Hymns, which continued their ska punk style while incorporating more aggressive elements of hardcore punk and sociopolitical lyrics, with nearly all of its songs lasting under two minutes in length.
Following the release of Battle Hymns Grant left the band. He went on to play with numerous groups including Thoughts of Ionesco, the Vandals, Face to Face, and Telegraph before finding a permanent position in the Alkaline Trio. He was replaced by Erin Pitman for some touring before new permanent drummer Ryan Vandeberghe joined. In 2000 this lineup released The Suicide Machines, a more hard rock–oriented effort that moved away from the ska influences of their earlier releases. They received some radio and video play for the single "Sometimes I Don't Mind" and performed on the Warped Tour that summer. In 2001 they released Steal This Record, which continued their exploration of pop punk style while mixing in elements of their earlier ska punk and hardcore albums.

### 2002-2005: Side One Dummy Records years

Following touring in support of Steal This Record bassist Nunley left the Suicide Machines to start his own band, Blueprint 76, and was replaced by Rich Tschirhart. The band also ended their contract with Hollywood Records, fulfilling their contractual obligations by releasing the compilation album The Least Worst of the Suicide Machines. They then moved to the independent label Side One Dummy Records. Their next album A Match and Some Gasoline, released in 2003, found the band abandoning the pop experimentations of their previous two albums and returning more to the ska punk and hardcore styles of their earlier years. They also continued exploring sociopolitical themes in songs such as "Did You Ever Get a Feeling of Dread?" and "Your Silence," which were critical of President George W. Bush's administration, its response to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, and the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. They toured internationally in support of the album and again performed on the Warped Tour.
In 2005 the band released the album War Profiteering is Killing Us All, which continued their political themes by openly attacking the Bush White House, the continuation of the Iraq War, and conservative Republicanism. Navarro also launched his own record label, Noise Riot Records, and released On the Eve of Destruction: 1991-1995, a compilation of the band's early EPs, singles, and demos.

### 2006-2008: Breakup, post-Suicide Machines activity and reformation

In 2006, while touring in support of War Profiteering is Killing Us All, the band abruptly broke up. Explanations given by the band members for this included Vandeberghe's desire to take a break from touring, which he did while friend Steve McCrumb filled for a performance at the Troubadour in Los Angeles on May 11. A tour of Mexico had been planned to follow this, and Navarro had suggested that the band perform its final shows that Christmas. However, interpersonal tensions came to a head after the Troubadour show when Lukacinsky refused to finish the tour. Lukacinsky himself further elaborated that the band had been planning to break up for some time.
Following the band's breakup Navarro and Vandeberghe continued working with Left in Ruin, a band they had started as a Suicide Machines side project and had worked on and off with for almost 6 years. Vandeberghe also joined the new band Hifi Handgrenades, and Tschirhart joined the band soon after. Later, Tschirhart formed another band called the A-Gang with former Mest drummer Nick Gigler. Lukacinsky, meanwhile, started his own band Bayonetting the Wounded, who broke up after a few demo recordings. He then moved to Japan and formed the One Thought Moment. Early in 2008, Navarro formed another Detroit band, Hellmouth, in which he was back on lead vocals. In 2011, Navarro formed a new band called Break Anchor. Bassist Rich Tschirhart also went on to form Bastardous with former Mest drummer, Nick Gigler. In 2013, drummer Ryan Vandeberghe teamed up with current and former members of Telegraph, Hellmouth, Hifi Handgrenades, ForDireLifeSake, and others to form the band Rebel Spies.
The Suicide Machines as a band were dormant for 3 years. Always willing to play benefits for various social activist causes, they reunited in 2009.

### 2009-2019: Reformation and Return

In late 2009, the Suicide Machines, with Hellmouth drummer Justin Malek replacing Lukacinsky on guitar, reformed for a benefit concert in Detroit.
On July 24, 2010, the Suicide Machines performed at St. Andrews Hall in Detroit. In October, the Suicide Machines performed at The Fest 9. On October 8, 2011, the Suicide Machines played Riot Fest 2011 in Chicago, as well as further shows throughout 2011.
The Suicide Machines played shows in Rochester, NY on May 19, followed by a performance at Pouzza Fest 2012, which took place May 18–20 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Throughout 2012, 2013, and 2014, the band continued to play shows around the U.S., including their annual Black Christmas fests that they headline in their native Detroit each December.
On August 16, 2014, the Suicide Machines headlined with Lower Class Brats, Suburban Legends and Morning Glory for the Summergrind 2014 show in Denver, Colorado.
In April 2015, the band embarked on a two-week tour of the midwestern and east coast United States with former drummer Derek Grant, performing their 1996 album, 'Destruction By Definition', in its entirety at all shows.
The band played the Vans Warped Tour that summer for four dates: Cuyahoga Falls, Cincinnati, Noblesville, and Auburn Hills. On May 18, 2017, it was announced that the Suicide Machines would be headlining the New Generation of Ska Festival in Seoul, South Korea on August 19.
The band played a show with the Code on May 25, 2018, in Lawrenceville, PA and announced that they were working on new material, and would return with a new record. They performed some of the new songs at Black Christmas in Detroit in December 2018. The band played local shows throughout the year and occasionally did short tours and one-off shows overseas. The band's final live performance before the global pandemic shutdown was a benefit for the charity Food Not Class in January 2020.

### Black Christmas shows 2013-2019

For seven consecutive years, the Suicide Machines hosted and headlined multi-band shows at The Majestic Complex in Detroit around the holidays.

### 2020-present: Revolution Spring, Gebo Gomi and A Match & Some Gasoline 20th anniversary reissue

In early 2020 Fat Wreck Chords announced the band's new album, Revolution Spring, would be released on March 27, 2020. On March 25, 2020, a stream of the album was posted to YouTube. Unfortunately, the onset of the worldwide Covid-19 pandemic prevented the band from touring to support the new release.
During the lockdown, the band instead filmed and streamed "The Suicide Machines Devil's Night 2020" on YouTube.
The band returned to live in person performance in July 2021 with another benefit for the Food Not Class charity.
In October 2021, they performed a Halloween themed show at Detroit City Distillery to celebrate the release of their Suicide Machines' signature bourbon, Well Whiskey Wishes.
2022 saw the Suicide Machines touring the UK and United States, including dates on the traveling Punk In Drublic music and craft beer festival. They also released a split 12" Gebo Gomi with Japanese band Coquettish, on Bad Time Records.
On September 8, 2023, the band celebrated the 20th anniversary of the release of A Match & Some Gasoline with a deluxe vinyl LP reissue of the original CD.
2024 saw the band touring Mexico for the first time, as well as The United States, Canada and Japan.

## Band members
### Current members

* Jason "Jay" Navarro – vocals (1991–2006, 2009–present)
* Ryan Vandeberghe – drums (1998–2006, 2009–present)
* Rich Tschirhart – bass, backing vocals (2002–2006, 2009–present)
* Justin Malek – guitar (2009–present)

### Former members

* Dan Lukacinsky – guitar, backing vocals (1991–2006)
* Jason "Jay" Brake – bass (1991–1994)
* Stefan Rairigh – drums (1991–1992)
* Derek Grant – drums, backing vocals, keyboards (1992–1998, 2015)
* Bill Jennings – drums (1992)
* Royce Nunley – bass, backing vocals (1994–2002)
* Dave Smith – bass (1994)
* Erin Pitman – drums (1998)
* Danny Lore – bass (2006)

### Timeline
## Discography

The discography of the Suicide Machines consists of seven studio albums, one split album, two compilation albums, three EPs, four singles, two demos, and six music videos.

### Studio albums

| Year | Album details | Peak chart positions | Peak chart positions |
| US ||
| Year | Album details | Billboard 200 | Heatseekers |
| 1996 | Destruction by Definition Released: May 21, 1996 Label: Hollywood Format: CD, LP | — | 32 |
| 1998 | Battle Hymns Released: April 7, 1998 Label: Hollywood Format: CD, LP | 127 | 3 |
| 2000 | The Suicide Machines Released: February 15, 2000 Label: Hollywood Format: CD, CS | 188 | 11 |
| 2001 | Steal This Record Released: September 25, 2001 Label: Hollywood Format: CD | — | — |
| 2003 | A Match and Some Gasoline Released: June 17, 2003 Label: SideOneDummy Format: CD, LP | — | — |
| 2005 | War Profiteering Is Killing Us All Released: August 9, 2005 Label: SideOneDummy Format: CD, LP | — | — |
| 2020 | Revolution Spring Released: March 27, 2020 Label: Fat Wreck Chords Format: CD, LP, DIGITAL | — | — |
| "—" denotes releases that did not chart. ||||

### Split EP albums

| Year | Album details |
| 2022 | Gebo Gomi with Coquettish Released July 22, 2022 Label: Bad Time Records Format: LP, DIGITAL | — | — |
| "—" denotes releases that did not chart. ||

### Compilation albums

| Year | Album details |
| 2002 | The Least Worst of the Suicide Machines Released: September 24, 2002 Label: Hollywood Format: CD |
| 2006 | On the Eve of Destruction: 1991-1995 Released: June 22, 2006 Label: Noise Riot Format: CD |

### Music videos

| Year | Song | Director | Album |
| 1996 | "No Face" | | Destruction By Definition |
| 1996 | "S.O.S." | | Destruction By Definition |
| 1998 | "Give" | | Battle Hymns |
| 2000 | "Sometimes I Don't Mind" | | The Suicide Machines |
| 2003 | "Keep It a Crime" | Matthew Stawski | A Match and Some Gasoline |
| 2005 | "War Profiteering Is Killing Us All" | Matthew Stawski | War Profiteering Is Killing Us All |
| 2020 | "To Play Caesar (Is To Be Stabbed To Death)" | David Dominic Jr. | Revolution Spring |

### Extended plays

| Year | Release details |
| 1996 | Skank for Brains Released: July 18, 1996 Label: Dill Format: CD |
| 1998 | Live! Live! Live! Released: 1998 Label: Hollywood Format: CD |
| 2003 | The Suicide Machines / Potshot Released: 1998 Label: TV-Freak Format: CD |

### Singles

| Year | Single | Peak chart positions | Album |
| Year | Single | US | Album |
| Year | Single | Modern Rock | Album |
| 1993 | "Vans Song" | — | |
| 1997 | "No Face" | 31 | Destruction By Definition |
| 1998 | "Give" | — | Battle Hymns |
| 2000 | "Sometimes I Don't Mind" | 22 | The Suicide Machines |
| "—" denotes releases that did not chart. "n/a" denotes singles that are not from albums. ||||

### Demos

| Year | Release details |
| 1993 | The Essential Kevorkian Released: 1993 Label: Sluggo's Old Skool Format: |
| 1994 | Green World Released: 1994 Label: Sluggo's Old Skool Format: |

### Other appearances

The following songs by The Suicide Machines were released on compilation and tribute albums. This is not an exhaustive list; songs that were first released on the band's albums, EPs, and singles are not included.
| Year | Release details | Track |
| 1999 | Anti-Racist Action Released: January 12, 1999 Label: Asian Man Format: CD | "Green World" |
| 1999 | Before You Were Punk 2 Released: August 17, 1999 Label: Vagrant Format: CD | "What I Like About You" (originally performed by the Romantics) |
| 2001 | Plea for Peace: Take Action Released: August 7, 2001 Label: Sub City / Asian Man Format: CD | "For the Day" |
| 2002 | The Giant Rock'n'Roll Swindle Released: October 29, 2002 Label: Fork In Hand Format: CD | "Perseverance" |
| 2007 | Our Impact Will Be Felt Released: April 23, 2007 Label: Century Media Format: CD | "Goatless" (originally performed by Sick of It All) |
| 2015 | Punk Rock Christmas Released: October 30, 2015 Label: Cleopatra Records Format: CD | "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch" (originally performed by Thurl Ravenscroft) |
| 2020 | Ska Against Racism Released: September 18, 2020 Label: Bad Time Records Format: CD "City Limitations" | |