Suicide City is an American punk rock band from Brooklyn, New York City,[1][2][3] founded in 2005. The band's original lineup consisted of lead vocalist Karl Bernholtz, rhythm guitarist Billy Graziadei, lead guitarist AJ Marchetta, bassist Jennifer Arroyo, and drummer Danny Lamagna.

Suicide City
OriginNew York City, U.S.
Genres
Years active2005–present
LabelsThe End Records
MembersKarl Bernholtz
AJ Marchetta
Jennifer Arroyo
Danny Lamagna
Past membersBilly Graziadei

History

edit

The group began when producer/guitarist Billy Graziadei sent some songs to singer Karl Bernholtz after working with him on his band The Groovnicks. The two quickly got on and brought in guitarist AJ Marchetta and drummer Danny Lamagna. Bassist Jennifer Arroyo soon joined the group to round out Suicide City. They self-released the EP Not My Year in 2005, selling 7,000 copies without label support. They also self-produced and released a live DVD entitled Live from CBGB.

On August 4, 2009, Suicide City released their debut full-length effort, Frenzy, via Brooklyn label The End Records. Benholtz described it as follows: "Suicide City thrives on making people happy and smile through our music without having to candy coat anything. Life does not 'suck and then you die.' Life is great, dangerous, exciting, strange, and then you die. I guess that's what we're trying to portray with our music."[4] Graziadei soon after left Suicide City to focus on his band Biohazard.

In 2011, after a one-year hiatus, the band returned as a four-piece consisting of Bernholtz, Lamagna, Marchetta and Arroyo.

Touring

edit

The band has made numerous trips around the United States while touring with Mindless Self Indulgence, Gwar, Otep, Life of Agony, Taking Back Sunday, and Glenn Danzig.[5]

The band toured Brazil with MxPx and co-headlined the Maquinaria Rock Fest alongside Sepultura, the Misfits, and Suicidal Tendencies on May 18, 2008. In November 2008, Live from CBGB was released featuring Suicide City's performance at CBGB, filmed shortly before the venue's closure. Suicide City signed to The End Records in the summer of 2009.

Suicide City played their last live show February 11, 2010, before going on a hiatus. Exactly one year later, on February 11, 2011, the band reunited, with the exception of Graziadei, to perform at the Highline Ballroom in New York City.[6]

Band members

edit

Current members

  • Karl Bernholtz – lead vocals, rhythm guitar (2005–present)
  • AJ Marchetta – lead guitar, backing vocals (2005–present)
  • Jennifer Arroyo – bass (2005–present)
  • Danny Lamagna – drums, percussion (2005–present)

Former members

Discography

edit
  • Not My Year (EP) (2005)
  • Frenzy (2009)

Videos

edit
  • Live from CBGB DVD (2008)[7]

Other work

edit

Suicide City was featured on the "More and Faster" mix of Mindless Self Indulgence's "Straight to Video", which appears on that band's "Shut Me Up" single.[8]

References

edit
  1. ^ "Suicide City Biography & Awards" Billboard.com Obtained December 9, 2011
  2. ^ "SUICIDE CITY on PureVolume" PureVolume Obtained December 9, 2011
  3. ^ "Bravewords.com News The End Records Signs Brooklyn's SUICIDE CITY; Debut Full-Length Out August 4th" Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles June 04, 2009 Obtained December 9, 2011
  4. ^ "BLABBERMOUTH.NET – SUICIDE CITY Signs With THE END RECORDS" BLABBERMOUTH.NET June 4, 2009 Obtained December 9, 2011
  5. ^ "SUICIDE CITY Announces National Tour". Road Crew Magazine. August 27, 2009. Retrieved February 3, 2012.
  6. ^ "Welcome to SUICIDE CITY a Drop Dead Interview". metalmaniacs.com. April 19, 2011. Retrieved February 3, 2012.
  7. ^ "BLABBERMOUTH.NET – SUICIDE CITY Signs With THE END RECORDS" BLABBERMOUTH.NET June 4, 2009 Obtained December 9, 2011
  8. ^ ""Mindless Self Indulgence" Metropolis Records". metropolis-records.com. Retrieved February 3, 2012.