A Less Ferocious Suicide Returns to L.A.

Back in the ‘70s, the synth-noise duo known as Suicide often had to cut its showsshort due to the less-than-warm reception it’d receive from crowds who didn’t know what to make of it. People would throw stuff, and fights sparked by singer Alan Vega’s confrontational style would erupt like clockwork.

But when the New York-based band performed at the Knitting Factory Hollywood on Thursday--its first L.A. show in 21 years--it seemed its clamorous electronic concoctions had finally come full circle, and the audience--a mix of older fans of the early punk scene and a surprising contingent of dance-happy twentysomethings--was only hurling praise.

Anchored by robotic-looking keyboardist Martin Rev (in his signature wraparound shades), Suicide’s blaring manipulations of melody, volume and pace were both rattling and strangely hypnotic. The relentless rhythms, coupled with Vega’s playful yet aggressive vocals on tunes from Suicide’s 1970s albums and both members’ solo projects, melded the industrial-edged intensity of contemporary acts such as Nine Inch Nails with the punkish spirit of the Stooges.

The on-again, off-again underground heroes may be older and their live show may no longer be the violent spectacle it was when they were a staple at Max’s Kansas City, but their throbbing sonic assaults still pack a feral punch--even if these days there are no fists involved.