The Suburbs

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.

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).

In 2004 Chan Poling formed The New Standards with John Munson and Steve Roehm.

In June 2005, keyboardist Chan Poling married Eleanor Mondale, daughter of former Vice President Walter Mondale.

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)
*"High Fidelity Boys - Live 1979" (Garage D'or 2006)

Members

*Bruce C. Allen: Guitar, Vocals
*Chan Poling: Keyboards, Vocals
*Michael Halliday: Bass
*Hugo Klaers: Drums, Vocals
*Blaine John "Beej" Chaney: Guitar (Beejtar), Vocals

External links

* [http://www.twintone.com/suburbs.html Twin/Tone Records: The Suburbs]
* [http://www.beejtar.com/ Blaine John "Beej" Chaney's Site]
* [http://www.chanpoling.com/ Chan Poling's Site]

References

*Jon Bream (January 27, 2002). [http://www.chanpoling.com/press/sprawl.htm Suburban sprawl: Musical adventurer Chan Poling makes his first solo pop CD.] "Star Tribune". Archived version at Chan Poling's website.
*(September 25, 2002). [http://www.pulsetc.com/article.php?sid=158 The Suburbs: At Long Last, the 'Burbs Return to the Cities.] "Pulse of the Twin Cities".
*(January 27, 2002). [http://www.startribune.com/stories/1526/1121618.html The Suburbs/Chan Poling discography.] "Minneapolis Star Tribune".
* [http://www.mnhs.org/collections/mplsmusic/band_histories.htm Minneapolis Music Collection: Band Histories.] Minnesota Historical Society.