The Suburbs, an alternative rock and roll/funk/new wave
band that (true to their name) came out of the western suburbs of
Minneapolis, Minnesota, recorded several major-label albums in the
1980s. Brought together in 1977 via introductions by Chris Osgood
of the Suicide Commandos, the Suburbs maintained the same lineup
throughout their existence. The Suburbs were composed of vocalist
and guitarist Blaine John "Beej" Chaney, guitarist Bruce C. Allen,
keyboardist Chan Poling, bassist Michael Halliday, and drummer Hugo
Klaers. They first started performing in late 1977 and released The
Suburbs on the Twin/Tone label (the label's first release) in early
1978. The record was a nine-song 7-inch red vinyl EP. The band also
saw two songs, "Urban Guerrillas" and "Ailerons O.K.", included on
the compilation Big Hits of Mid-America, Volume Three. Allen did
the art direction for the compilation.
Through the rest of the 1970s and the first half of the 1980s,
the Suburbs grew into a headline act, frequently playing at
Minneapolis's most influential music clubs including Jay's Longhorn
Bar and most notably First Avenue. During this time, their new wave
dance sound, eclectic lyrics, and stage presence gained a following
that broke out of the Midwest and reached both coasts. In 1980
Twin/Tone released their first full length LP, In Combo.
The single "World War III" (and its B-side, "Change Agent")
showed development of the band's songwriting abilities and improved
sound. A year later they released the double album Credit In Heaven
which added elements of jazz, funk, and disco to the mix. The
single "Music for Boys" was taken from the record and became a
radio hit.
In 1982 the band released a 12-inch single "Waiting," which
frequently found its way onto dance club playlists. An EP Dream Hog
followed on Twin/Tone, featuring three new songs and a remix of
"Waiting" on the B-side, all produced by Steven Greenberg of
Funkytown and Lipps Inc fame.
Greenberg then brought the Suburbs to the attention of Mercury
Records, which added them to their roster in 1983. Mercury started
by re-issuing Dream Hog. By this time, the band's live performances
were muscular and funky, attracting rabid fans and keeping the band
busy as an opening act for the likes of Iggy Pop and The B-52's, as
well as headliners in their own right. In 1983 Mercury released
Love is the Law, a harder-rocking album that included a horn
section and some of their most off-beat lyrics, also produced by
Steven Greenberg. In 1986 the Suburbs signed with A&M Records
and released The Suburbs produced by Prince's Revolution drummer
Bobby Z (Robert Brent). Frustrated by a lack of radio play and
abandoned by the major labels, the band broke up in 1987. In 1992
Twin/Tone released Ladies and Gentlemen, The Suburbs Have Left the
Building, a best-of compilation, and in 1994 a live record Viva!
Suburbs!. The Suburbs reunited during this period and played
numerous shows in the Twin Cities, and have played on and off since
that time including opening once more for the B-52's in 2003.
Summer of 2002 saw the much-anticipated re-issues of the albums
In Combo, Credit In Heaven and Love Is The Law on CD for the first
time (issued on the band's own Beejtar Records - distributed by
Universal). In late 2003 the band issued Chemistry Set: The Songs
Of The Suburbs 1977 - 1987 (a best of CD with a few bonus tracks
and a DVD of their 2002 performances at Minneapolis' First
Avenue).
This cache is part of a series of caches dedicated to
Minnesota Music and to the musicians who have a strong connection
to Minnesota. Collect them all!
-MN Music: Prince Chanhassen, MN
-MN Music: Soul Asylum Prior Lake,
MN
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MN
-MN Music: Quietdrive Elko-New Market,
MN
-MN Music: The Replacements St. Peter,
MN
-MN Music: The Johnny Holm Band Jordan,
MN
-MN Music: Husker Du Chaska, MN
-MN Music: Cloud Cult Duluth, MN Coming
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