Suicide - London Mean Fiddler, 2/11/2002
by Olga Sladeckova
published: 15 / 10 / 2002

intro
In Britain to promote 'American Supreme', their first album in 10 years, Olga Sladeckova finds the influential new York electro punks to be on dangerous, but exciting form at the London Mean Fiddler
It is going to be an ugly night” the doorman at the Mean Fiddler warns us us. Dressed to go to a pretty night out afterwards, my friend and I bravely walk down the stairs of the venue and to the stage. Sonic Mook are in mid set. The auditorium is half full.. Sonic Mook's chaotic tunes match their uncoordinated moves on the stage. The front lines of fans are however loving it ,and enthusiastically clap after every song ends. We notice a middle age man dressed in green with an army hat confusedly walking up and down the stairs like he is expecting a storm. The clock hits 9 when Alan Vega followed by Martin Rev appear on the stage. Both are wearing dark glasses and Vega hides his head under the hood of his sweat shirt. All the 'suicidal' fans are in ecstasy. Suicide are one of the most influential bands in American music history. Bobby Gillespie, Primal Scream’s singer, who I spot swinging to the rhythm of 'Misery Train', a song from ‘American Supreme’, Suicide’s latest album, would not deny it. In between songs Vega takes the chance to talk to the fans.”Who is the rule?” he asks us.”You are a person, you are rule.” He then insists while Rev, half lost in deep white smoke in the back of the stage, starts off on another song. Besides brand new material we are also treated to older songs such as the Stooges 'I Wanna Be Your Dog' . “I wanna be a your dog” proclaims Vega following it with eager woofing-like noise, which are backed by the various electronic nosies that Rev produces. The music just won't let you stay still. It's emotive, unpredictable and original. That is what Suicide have always been about since they formed back in the mid 70's. Every show has its end. Accompanied by loud applause and screaming for more, the New York based duo leaves the stage just before 10. Unfortunately a club held at the venue every Saturday follows the show and so the mean staff at the Mean Fiddler starts sweeping us away. Never mind. Suicide are playing here tomorrow again!
Picture Gallery:-

features |
Profile (2005) |
![]() |
New York punk duo Suicide have just had their third and fourth albums, 'A Way of Life' and 'Why Be Blue' remastered and released with special live recordings. Anthony Strutt examines and looks at both |
reviews |
American Supreme (2002) |
![]() |
Unnerving first album in ten years from New York's pioneers of electro punk, Suicide |
most viewed articles
current edition
Peter Doherty - Blackheath Halls, Blackheath and Palace Halls, Watford, 18/3/2025 and 21/3/2025Armory Show - Interview with Richard Jobson
Liz Mitchell - Interview
Lauren Mayberry - Photoscapes
Deb Googe and Cara Tivey - Interview
Max Bianco and the BlueHearts - Troubadour, London, 29/3/2025
Sukie Smith - Interview
Garfunkel and Garfunkel Jr. - Interview
Maarten Schiethart - Vinyl Stories
Clive Langer - Interview
previous editions
Heavenly - P.U.N.K. Girl EPBoomtown Rats - Ten Songs That Made Me Love....
Trudie Myerscough-Harris - Interview
Doris Brendel - Interview
Oasis - Oasis, Earl's Court, London, 1995
Beautiful South - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
Dwina Gibb - Interview
Pulp - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
Kay Russell - Interview with Kay Russell
Sound - Interview with Bi Marshall Part 1
most viewed reviews
current edition
Wings - Venus and MarsKate Daisy Grant and Nick Pynn - Songs For The Trees
Neil Campbell - The Turnaround
Martin Carthy - Tranform Me Then Into a Fish
MIEN - Miien
Circa Waves - Death and Love Pt. 1
British IBM - Things Change
Valerie June - Owls, Omens and Oracles
Sofia Hardig - Lighthouse of Glass
Tate McRae - So Close to What
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart