The Suicide Machines

Biography

The Suicide Machines are an American ska punk 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 frontman. 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 gained recognition within the punk and ska scenes through extensive touring, including multiple performances on the Warped Tour, Riot Fest and for many years their annual hometown Black Christmas festivals.

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 (a reference to pathologist and euthanasia proponent Jack Kevorkian). 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×Vans Song1993 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 3 tracksAVans SongB1Post Office Death SquadB2The Golfing 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×Destruction by Definition21 May 1996 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 16 tracks1New Girl2:032SOS2:253Break the Glass3:094No Face1:535Hey2:366Our Time2:067Too Much2:078Islands2:059The Real You2:0110Face Values1:2211Punk Out2:5612Vans Song2:3813Insecurities1:5214Inside/Outside1:4815Zero1:4916So Long / I Don't Wanna Hear It4:26. 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×Sometimes I Don't Mind1999 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 2 tracks1Sometimes I Don't Mind3:142Face Another Day1:43" 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: SideOneDummy 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×The Least Worst of the Suicide Machines2002 · Album · CompilationSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 30 tracks1Break the Glass3:082Islands2:053Too Much2:074No Face1:535New Girl2:036Face Values1:227SOS2:258Vans Song2:389Hating Hate1:0410Someone1:3411Step One1:1312DDT1:0913Black and White World1:5314Give2:1915Green2:0816Permanent Holiday2:0817Sometimes I Don't Mind3:0718Sincerity2:4019The Fade Away3:1020Goodbye for Now2:2721Honor Among Thieves2:4622Bleeding Heart3:4223Scars2:2624Stand Up3:2925Steal This Record4:0926The Killing Blow3:0327Hating Hate (live)1:0528The Real You (live)1:5629For the Day2:0730Brass Ring2:30. They then moved to the independent label SideOneDummy Records. Their next album A Match and Some Gasoline×A Match and Some Gasoline17 June 2003 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 16 tracks1Burning in the Aftermath1:382Did You Ever Get a Feeling of Dread?1:423Keep It a Crime1:074High Anxiety2:045Your Silence2:536The Change1:407Invisible Government0:558One More Time2:069Beat My Head Against the Wall1:2110Seized Up3:4111Split the Time2:0112Kaleidoscope2:0813Politics of Humanity8:5614Bleeding Heart3:0115SOS (Live)2:0616Permanent Holiday (Live)2:40, 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 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×War Profiteering Is Killing Us All9 August 2005 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 14 tracks1War Profiteering Is Killing Us All1:272Capitalist Suicide1:403Ghost on Sunset Strip2:144Junk1:39517% 18 to 251:216Capsule (AKA Requiem for the Stupid Human Race)1:367All Systems Fail1:418Red Flag2:189Nuclear Generators1:5710Bottomed Out2:3911Rebellion Is on the Clearance Rack (And I Think I Like It)1:4812Hands Tied1:5713I Went on Tour for Ten Years... and All I Got Was This Lousy T-Shirt5:591495% of the World Is Third World2:34, lyrics addressing the Bush administration, the Iraq War, and conservative political positions. 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 and post-Suicide Machines activity

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.

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. 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. 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. 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.
Throughout 2013 and 2014, the Suicide Machines 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×Destruction by Definition21 May 1996 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 16 tracks1New Girl2:032SOS2:253Break the Glass3:094No Face1:535Hey2:366Our Time2:067Too Much2:078Islands2:059The Real You2:0110Face Values1:2211Punk Out2:5612Vans Song2:3813Insecurities1:5214Inside/Outside1:4815Zero1:4916So Long / I Don't Wanna Hear It4:26', 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. From 2013 to 2019, the Suicide Machines hosted and headlined multi-band shows at The Majestic Complex in Detroit for Black Christmas.

2020–2025: Revolution Spring, Gebo Gomi and A Match & Some Gasoline 20th anniversary reissue

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. In early 2020, Fat Wreck Chords announced the band's new album, Revolution Spring×Revolution Spring27 March 2020 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 16 tracks1Bully in Blue2:112Awkward Always2:343Babylon of Ours2:344Flint Hostage Crisis1:425To Play Caesar (Is to Be Stabbed to Death)2:066Trapped in a Bomb2:057Detroit Is the New Miami1:338Eternal Contrarian2:119Well Whiskey Wishes2:2210Black Tar Halo1:2111Empty Time2:2412Impossible Possibilities2:1513Potter’s Song1:4114Simple3:0315Anarchist Wedding1:3716Cheers to Ya2:49, which 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. A music video, "To Play Caesar (Is To Be Stabbed To Death)" from the Revolution Spring album was released in 2020 as well. 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.
They have continued to expand their touring in 2025 to include Costa Rica, as well as Mexico and the United States. On June 13, a new single, "Never Go Quietly×Never Go Quietly13 June 2025 · SingleSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Never Go Quietly2:56", was released to streaming services and as a limited edition Picture Flexi Disc single.

2026-2027: Destruction By Definition 30th Anniversary and world tour

In 2026, to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Destruction By Definition, the band launched their most ambitious tour in 20+ years. Multiple dates are scheduled throughout The United States, Great Britain, Canada, Europe, Australia and New Zealand. The tour extends into 2027 with dates in Japan as well.

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)
Touring

Chris "Krees" Borbon – drums, backup vocals (2026)

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)

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.