Suicide Bid - This is the Generation

Suicide Bid: This is the Generation (2005) Vinyl done by Mass Prod (France)"If you liked the reggae punk mix of The Clash you'll dig this. Featuring ex-membes of Ex-Cathedra, P.A.I.N., and King Prawn, to name a few, this Brit combo dishes out some dirty reggae punk with political lyrics and distorted production. Great punk vocals with thick accents that would have fit right in back in 1980." - Maximum Rock n RollSuicide Bid arose in early 2005. More of a collective than a band in the traditional sense the group is a gathering of friends who met through touring, and features members of some of the UK's most popular punk acts of the last decade including King Blues, Ex-Cathedra, The Filaments, P.A.I.N, Inner Terrestrials, Deathskulls and Sonic Boom 6 amoungst others.Debut record "This is the Generation" was recorded DIY in the Summer of 2005, and was released to critical acclaim on November 14th '05. French Labels Maloka and Mass Prod have released a vinyl version for all you boss DJ's.tracks:The Assembly, When Morning Comes, Debil Dub, Don't Lie Down, Capital Motivation, Insult to injury, Watch it come down, Turning the Blind eyePeople who have contributed to this project are:Andi - SlursNiki Nailbomb - BeatsBabar - ToastingJ - Smooth grooves,peny whistle,DD3Jonny 1 Lung - GuitarsPete - Sub Bass, Sax, Jaw HarpAl - RythmsMr Wilson - The Boss DJSandra - Silky smooooooth voxPhil - SnarlsLeila K - VocalisingItch - Raggamuffin statementBarney - GrowlsBen - HarmoniesThe Boss - GuitarsJim - PercussionBen - OrgansBones - TrumpetKerem - VoxSuicide Bid Influences: Clash, Ruts, Horace Andy, King Tubby, Bad Brains, Slackers, Inner Circle, Augustos Pablo, Third World, Itals, Culture, Billy Bragg, Operation Ivy, Scientist, Sizzla, Rancid, Capdown, Heptones, Junior Byles, Burning Spear, Conflict, Subhumans, The Oppressed, Bob Marley and The Wailers, The Congos, Buju Banton, Stiff Little Fingers, Stubborn All Stars, Fishbone, Sublime, Oi Polloi, Crass, Buju Banton, Ranking Dread, Bruce Springsteen, Flux Of Pink Indians, Dead Kennedys.....Here's what people have been having to say about our debut release 'this is the generation'....PUNKTASTIC.COM 4.5/5'How joyful it is when expectations are not only met, but exceeded? How blissful when something cuts through the dross of the majority to present a whole new outlook? Suicide Bid is a London-based collective that deserves to become more than just a good idea, but an inspiration to everyone that wants a bit more than a few snappy poses and bad poetry from their music. And This Is The Generation is not essential simply because of its worthiness or punk credibility, but because it engages with issues that NEED interrogation in such a way that isnt preachy or oblique it says, simply, this is what we believe in, we are going to stand up for ourselves.The we is crucial. While Suicide Bid may number Babar ex-King Prawn and Jon ex-Filaments among their ranks, they merely play their part alongside the other members of the collective. No ego, no showboating, just a group of individuals using their particular strengths to make music. The dub/ska on display here is so well-executed that the basic, familiar techniques are refreshed because of their anachronistic presence in a punk scene desperate to work out how to evolve. This is protest music in the truest sense, with lyrics ranging from the blisteringly contemporary (the July bombings) to injustices that are all-too recognisable (worker exploitation). But as I said, This Is The Generation isnt only good because of the political and social side to the songs, the music is perfectly pitched to call back to the fold everyone that wants some good, honest, unpretentious music. The thick bass of Insult To Injury contrasts effectively with the scratchy off-beat stomper When Morning Comes, while the proficiency with which the assorted musicians handle the instrumental Debil Dub is an exercise in restraint and subtlety.The fact that this is being released by Household Name is another huge boon. While its undeniable that their stock has fallen recently with Howards Alias, Capdown, Lightyear, Five Knuckle and Adequate 7 all, for one reason or another, not being part of the regular roster. HHN is the natural home for this seething, focussed attack on what can be called the evils of society (without a shred of hyperbole) and its exciting to see them getting back to the forefront of a UK scene that their bands arguably forged. With a release as evocative, inspiring and downright vital as this one from a homegrown UK collective showing no sign of dying any time soon, the futures looking bright again.'PUNKOIUK.COM 5/5'Not a band as such but a collective of musicians who play some of the best dub/ska/punk music I have ever heard. When the collective has members of bands such as The Filaments, Kig Prawn, Ex-Catherda, Inner Terrestrials and P.A.I.N. to name but a few you know this is going to be a little bit different. 8 tracks of tripped out dub punk, coupled with seething political lyrics and with subject matters including the July 2005 bomb attacks in London, the anti war demonstrations and the current punk scene and the fact its dominated by trend following more than ever, make this my favourite album of the year so far. If you like music you can dance to but at the same time makes you think this is the one for you. The only fault I have with this is that it is only 23 minutes long and I could listen to this all day!! GET THIS NOW.5 out of 5PUNKNEWS.CO.UK'I occasionally get the feeling that the UK punk scene is bordering on stagnation, some times more than others. And usually when I get this feeling a band comes along and releases a CD that makes me realise how much I enjoy being (an admittedly small) part of it.Suicide Bid have just done precisely that, and while not strictly a punk album, its the collaborative product of what could be considered something of a UK punk and ska super group, featuring ex-members of some of the most significant bands to have split in recent years. Rather than going down the same route of a lot of bands who form from the ashes of past glory, where they just mash together their separate sounds and rinse it for all they can get from fans who turn into music-crack addicted desperates and want their fix, Suicide Bid portray the feeling of likeminded people getting together simply because they enjoy making music. If youre expecting more Filaments or more King Prawn, Ex-Cathedra or anyone else, well, youre simultaneously in and out of luck. If youre expecting the aforementioned super group expectations then youll need to open your mind a little, if you like hearing new music then youll be listening to just the right record.Coming in at just shy of twenty-five minutes, its a laid back fusion of the whole range of collaborators, yet faithfully dub-rock driven, with definite evidence of the Clash or Ruts dubbier tracks. Many songs have a strong feeling of who had the most influence on them, When Morning Comes I felt had a definite King Prawn lilt to it, and this feeling occurs plenty through a listen. Though thats not to say this record is derivative of the members past efforts, this record has a dark-dub sound of its very own.I feel confident in thinking this is one of the most exciting and enjoyable releases Ive heard in a long while, with the whole bands energies and conscious focussed in just the right place.'FFRUK.COM 10/10'I´ve been waiting for this baby to come out and in all honesty it has been worth the wait. Suicide Bid are made up from members of several bands including the Filaments, PAIN and King Prawn. This album has got to be in my top 10 albums of 2005 for sure. This is Dub/Punk at it´s best and with socially aware tracks like ´Turning The Blind Eye´ and ´When Morning Comes´ I really can´t see how anyone could dislike this album - Even the instrumental track ´Debil Dub´ has an excellent vibe to it. Some may complain there´s only 8 tracks on here but the imapact this album throws at you more than makes up for it. This is a must for anyone who likes a bit of thought put in to music. Nice one lads.'NO FRONT TEETH ZINESUICIDE BID are going to get huge in England because the band is made up of members of THE FILAMENTS, KING PRAWN, EX-CATHEDRA, OPERATION NAILBOMB and more already well-followed UK ska/punk acts. SUICIDE BID is, however, way more stripped down and their sound has way more of a slower, reggae/dub direction. Of course there's serious punk rock presence and attitude but I find that that element follows the reggae aspect rather than the other way around which is the more common thing- usually it's punk rock with brass whereas this is predominantly reagge/dub with touches of punk. Touches of LEE PERRY, THE CLASH, SPECIALS...loads of reverb, heavy bass lines and snare rolls...I much prefer this blend this way around - the pace is better and the feel of the whole thing gels much better. I find that ska/punk can get too fast and bouncy and there's too many 'funny' bands doing that shit but this is like the opposite of that, this is serious, mature and enthusiastic not some throwaway shit that will be out of fashion in a couple years.PUNKOIUK.COM 5/5For want of a better description Suicide Bid are an underground punk super group, bringing together members and ex-members of The Filaments, King Prawn, P.A.I.N., Ex-Cathedra, Inner Terrestrials and more. This Is The Generation recorded DIY stylee, throughout August 2005, exhibits elements of many of the aforementioned acts musical techniques, with their forceful amalgam of bass heavy dub, and punk collides with reggae, ska and hip-hop. The spirit of The Clash more rootsy moments permeates proceedings, which those with taste will know is always a good thing. In the mood of Messers Strummer/Jones the lyrics are serious speaking. Head on modern manifestoes on society, capitalism, war and the contemporary punk scene all clothed in an inspiring range of absorbing, slow burning grooves especially constructed for maximum effect. This Is The Generation is intelligent, effective to the point and hyper-infectious. If this is the future motivational and political direction of contemporary punk then bring it on!5 out of 5The 2006 follow up "The Rot Stops Here," Suicide Bid's debut full length is an eclectic mix of dancehall flows and punk rock energy, featuring stunning performances from some of the UK underground's most respected artists.Suicide Bid is an ongoing project.you can get a copy of this from http://www.ironmanrecords.co.uk