Martin Rev (Suicide) Backs M.I.A. on July 13th David Letterman Appearance

Mathangi "Maya" Arulpragasam (Tamil: மாதங்கி 'மாயா' அருள்ப்ரகாசம்; born 18 July 1975),[1] better known by her stage name M.I.A., is a British songwriter, record producer, singer, rapper, fashion designer, visual artist, and political activist. - Wikipedia

M.I.A. made an appearance on David Letterman earlier this week to play her new single "Born Free". The song features the extensive sampling of Suicide's "Ghost Rider" and Marty Rev appeared with M.I.A. playing keyboards.



For anyone who isn't familiar with the Suicide tune:



Links:
M.I.A.

Suicide - Live 1977- 1978 CD Box Set (Blast First)

This set looks like a must have...for the uninitiated, Sisters of Mercy, New Order, Soft Cell and many other bands have cited Suicide as one of their influences.

This limited-edition box set (limited to 3,000 copies) captures Suicide at the height of their riot-inciting days. The box contains 13 shows recorded between 1977-78 at locations ranging from hometown NYC shows at CBGB and Max's to European dates opening for Elvis Costello and The Clash.

Here is the complete track listing:

DISC 1: 1977, NYC [46:52]
1 SUICIDE CBGB Sept 29 1977 24:43
2 SUICIDE CBGB Dec 3 1977 set2 22:09

DISC 2: 1978, NYC [71:21]
1 SUICIDE Palladium NYC Jan 7 1978 21:45
2 SUICIDE Maxs Jan 13 1978 22:55
3 SUICIDE CBGB Feb 3 1978 26:41

DISC 3: 1978, BELGIUM/FRANCE [70:42]
1 SUICIDE Brussels June 16 1978 23:44
2 SUICIDE Paris Olympia+Backstage June 18 1978 46:58

DISC 4: 1978, GERMANY [68:29]
1 SUICIDE Hamburg Audiomax June 28 1978 21:26
2 SUICIDE Berlin Kant Kino/Neue Welt June 30 1978 22:42
3 SUICIDE Berlin Kant Kino/Neue Welt June 30 1978 set 2 24:21

DISC 5: 1978, UK [64:17]
1 SUICIDE London MusicMachine July 24 1978 25:37
2 SUICIDE Our Price Radio Ad 1:09
3 SUICIDE Erics Liverpool July 29 1978 31:12
4 SUICIDE Erics pt 2 Frankie Teardrop July 29 1978 6:19

DISC 6: 1978, NYC [AFTER EUROPE] [43:35]
1 SUICIDE Maxs August 25 1978 recorded by Eric Mache 43:35

MP3 and FLAC downloads are available through the Blast First Petite shop for 7.99 pounds. Physical copies of the box are available through Amazon (and I saw a copy at Kim's on St. Marks last time that I was in the store).

Suicide is playing Club Europa in Brooklyn on December 11th with A.R.E. Weapons.

Suicide @ South Street Seaport, July 27, 2007

I know that I am getting old when Suicide, a band that used to cause riots when they played, is playing a free outdoor show sponsored by the city. There was a big debut on BrooklynVegan's site over whether the band was brilliant or a "self indulgent embarrassment".

I am not exactly objective as I am a big Suicide fan but...I thought the band was brilliant. The band played about 70 minutes and finished their set with a great version of "Frankie Teardrop", which I haven't heard them play in years. Alan Vega was confrontational and, frankly, dead-on with his observations on the war. As to be expected, Suicide reworked a number of their songs but I don't think this is a bad thing -- it keeps the show interesting.








The most recent release by Suicide is a live DVD, One day + Live at La Loco / Paris, which was recorded live in early 2005.