Commandos Logo v2021.jpg

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)

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

1. Shock Appeal
The Suicide Commandos
2. Atracking the Beat
The Suicide Commandos
3. She
The Suicide Commandos
4. She Said Yeah
The Suicide Commandos
5. I'll Wait
The Suicide Commandos
6. Take A Dive
The Suicide Commandos
7. It Doesn't Matter
The Suicide Commandos
8. Emission Control
The Suicide Commandos
9. Cliche Ole
The Suicide Commandos
10. Monster Au Go Go
The Suicide Commandos
11. Three Cool Cats
The Suicide Commandos
12. It's My Life
The Suicide Commandos
13. My Little Red Book
The Suicide Commandos
14. Keep Your Hand To Yourself
The Suicide Commandos
15. Wild In The Streets
The Suicide Commandos
16. Complicated Fun
The Suicide Commandos
17. Burn It Down
The Suicide Commandos
18. Oh Carol
The Suicide Commandos
19. Born To Be Wild
The Suicide Commandos

release: May 5, 2017 Twin/Tone Records - TTR 89403 (vinyl - limited, numbered 1,000 pressing)

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

1. Hallelujah Boys
The Suicide Commandos ‎
2. Milk of Human Kindness
The Suicide Commandos ‎
3. Boogie's Coldest Acre
The Suicide Commandos ‎
4. Try Again
The Suicide Commandos ‎
5. Frogtown
The Suicide Commandos ‎
6. Pool Palace Cigar
The Suicide Commandos ‎
7. When I Do It, It's O.K.
The Suicide Commandos ‎
8. If I Can't Make You Love Me
The Suicide Commandos ‎
9. Ghost Burrito
The Suicide Commandos ‎
10. For Such A Mean Time
The Suicide Commandos ‎
11. Cocktail Shaker
12. The Wrong Time
The Suicide Commandos ‎
13. Late Lost Stolen Mangled Misdirected
The Suicide Commandos ‎

In 1978 The Suicide Commandos released their album Make A Record on Blank Records… today it has migrated to The Island Def Jam Music Group and is available on many of the streaming services… check it out on iTunes - Spotify


Videos

"Burn It Down" inspired a short film directed by rock video pioneer Chuck Statler, which featured the burning of a house the band had used for rehearsing…

The Suicide Commandos play their seminal Minneapolis punk song "Complicated Fun" as part of the Bruce Allen Tribute Concert at First Avenue, February 13, 201...

Boogie's Coldest Acre (clean version) off the Twin/Tone album "Time Bomb" from The Suicide Commandos. Released: May 5, 2017.

Video montage made from photos taken in 1978-1979 featuring The Suicide Commandos. "Complicated Fun" from "Big Hits of Mid-America Volume Three"

The Suicide Commandos perform five songs as the beginning to the final set (MN Rockestra) of the first night. Recorded at Marathon 80, the two day music festival held Sept 22-23, 1979 in the field house of the University of Minnesota. It featured 20 bands and was organized by Tim Carr of the Walker Art Center.