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 comprised 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.
These releases came 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. 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.
In 2004 Chan Poling formed
The New Standards
with John Munson (formerly of
Trip Shakespeare
and
Semisonic
) and Steve Roehm (of
Electropolis
).
In June 2005, keyboardist Chan Poling married Eleanor Mondale, daughter of former Vice President Walter Mondale.
-- From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Minneapolis, Minnesota's The Suburbs formed in the fall of 1977. Their sound combined guitar, keyboard and brass with a funky, dancable beat and humorous lyrics. After releasing several singles, EPs and LPs on Minneapolis' legendary indie Twin/Tone Records, they became one of the first bands from the Minneapolis scene to get signed to a major by landing on PolyGram in 1983. Instead PolyGram landed on them. Label problems and changes left them homeless until A&M picked them up and a final self-titled LP was released in 1986. The band dissolved the following year.
In 2002 Guitarist/Vocalist Beej Chaney purchased the rights and reissued the Suburbs' first three albums on CD . The band celebrated by getting together for a few reunion shows in Minneapolis. The next year a greatest hits CD was released and once again they got together for a couple of shows.
Keyboard/Vocalist Chan Poling is now composing and writing songs for Film, TV and Theatre. He released a solo album in 2002.
In 2003 Beej Chaney released a solo album under his given name Blaine John Chaney on his own Beejtar label that reissued the first three Suburbs albums.
-- From website Lost Bands of the New Wave Era
DISCOGRAPHY:
· The Suburbs EP (Twin/Tone 1978)
· "World War III" (Twin/Tone 1979)
· In Combo (Twin/Tone 1980)
· Credit In Heaven (Twin/Tone 1981)
· "Music For Boys" (Twin/Tone 1982)
· "Waiting" (Twin/Tone 1982)
· Dream Hog EP (Twin/Tone 1982)
· Dream Hog EP (Mercury/Polygram 1983)
· Love Is The Law (Mercury/Polygram 1983)
· "Love Is The Law" (Mercury/Polygram 1983)
· "Rattle My Bones" (Mercury/Polygram 1983)
· Suburbs (A&M 1986)
· "Life Is Like" (A&M 1986)
· "#9" (A&M 1986)
· "Heart Of Gold" (A&M 1986)
· "Little Man's Gonna Fall" (Buy Records 1987)
· Ladies and Gentlemen, The Suburbs Have Left The Building (Twin/Tone 1992)
· Viva! Suburbs! Live at First Avenue (Twin/Tone 1994)
· Chemistry Set: Songs Of The Suburbs 1977-1987 (Beejtar/Universal 2003) (Best Of CD & Live DVD)
UPDATE ON THE BAND:
Where are they now, you ask? Here's the latest.
Chan Poling lives in the Twin Cities and is a part of The New Standards, as previously mentioned. He is teamed up with John Munson ( formerly of Trip Shakespeare and Semisonic), as well as Steve Roehm (of Electropolis). They play in the Twin Cities area, as well as New York, Chicago, and other venues nationwide. Check their myspace page for dates and locations.
Bruce C. Allen we have recently heard is still living in the Twin Cities. Bruce is currently playing with the X-Boys, which features Chris Osgood and Dave Ahl (from the Suicide Commandos), Max Ray (the sax player for The Suburbs and The Wallets), Casey Macpherson (from the Litter), and Steve Fjelstad. They play the first Friday of every month at the Eagles Club in Minneapolis. They are also playing for Prior Lake's Lakefront Days on August 4, 2007. Chan will be joining the band for that gig.
Hugo Klaers also still resides in the Twin Cities. Hugo plays one Saturday a month in an Irish folk band at Dusty's in Northeast Minneapolis. For those who were able to catch the "Basement Tapes" series at Bryant Lake Bowl (see our blog) which started on May 23, 2007, Hugo was present for a Q&A session on the first night of the series.
Michael Halliday is living in St. Croix Beach. We don't have any addional information regarding what he is up to these days. If you are hoping to spot him when you are in the area, we've heard that he hangs out occasionally at the Beach Bar.
Beej Chaney we've recently heard is now living in Rome. He currently owns the Beejtar label and Shangri La recording studios in Malibu, CA. Other than that, we don't have any additional information.
PLEASE NOTE: This is a tribute page to The Suburbs. They have no direct affiliation and I have no contact with the band, with the exception of an email from Chan Poling via The New Standards myspace page as of May 23, 2007 giving us his blessing for this Suburbs tribute page, as well as a recent email from Bruce C. Allen on June 1, 2007 also giving us his blessing. With that said, scroll down and post your comments below showing them some love as I know the guys in the band will read this page periodically!
Thanks to all for your support of this little corner of MySpace dedicated to the band we love. The Suburbs. We needed a fitting tribute to this influential, essential Minnesota rock band. The information for this page was taken from research on the web via Wikipedia, Twin/Tone, and other websites noted on this page, as well as recent information given to me directly from members of the band. If any fans or band members have corrections, updates, contributions, videos, etc. for this page, let me know.
Suburbs fans unite. and VIVA SUBURBS!
~ From Laurie, just another humble Suburbs fan
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