In 1974 Chris Osgood (the godfather of the Minneapolis music scene), Dave Ahl, and Steve Almaas formed The Suicide Commandos. They released two singles on PS Records (which preceded Twin/Tone Records.) The Commandos were one of the pioneer US bands touring the country, having to book themselves by convincing club owners in every city that their kind of music would draw people. Their first album "The Suicide Commandos Make A Record") on the short lived Mercury Records label "Blank" was released in 1977. The rock video pioneer Chuck Statler made a film of "Burn It Down" (see below), which featured the burning of the house the band had used for rehearsing for years. They recorded a three songs for Twin/Tone's "Big Hits of Mid-America Volume III" and released a live recording of their last shows at the infamous Minneapolis' Longhorn Bar. Twin/Tone released "The Suicide Commandos Commit Suicide Dance Concert" as it's first full length LP in April of 1979 (the double album "Big Hits" came out two weeks later). The album was pressed in a limited edition of 1,000 numbered copies and to this day is one of the most sought after titles to collectors. Push forward almost 40 years and the mothballed Twin/Tone released the band’s latest project, “Time Bomb.”
released: April 4, 1979
Twin/Tone Records - TTR 7906
(live - vinyl - limited, numbered 1,000 pressing)
The Suicide Commandos
The Commandos Commit Suicide Dance Concert
Dave Ahl - Drums, Vocals
Steve Almaas - Bass, Vocals
Chris Osgood - Guitar, Vocals
Produced by Terry Katzman
Recorded live at Jay's Longhorn Bar - November 24, 1978
Engineered by Paul Stark
Re-Mastered and transfered to digital in 1999 by Tim Mac
release: May 5, 2017
Twin/Tone Records - TTR 89403
(vinyl - limited, numbered 1,000 pressing)
The Suicide Commandos
Time Bomb
Dave Ahl - Drums, Vocals
Steve Almaas - Bass, Vocals
Chris Osgood - Guitar, Vocals
Produced by The Suicide Commandos
Recorded by Kevin Bowe at Master Mix, Minneapolis, MN
Additional recording at Kill Room, Minneapolis, MN
Airstream Sovereign, West Saugerties, NY
Jay Peck at Stepping Stone Foley, Chester, NY
Mixed by Mitch Easter at Fidelitorium Recordings, Kernersville, NC
Mastered by Bruce Templeton at Microphonic Mastering, Minneapolis, MN