Alan Vega, looking back through old Suicide bootlegs Who was my girlfriend? What was happening? Where was I? What was I thinking? How the fuck did I even dress like that?

[SUICIDE L to R: Martin Rev, Alan Vega]

By Aaron Richter

“These recordings are not for the fainthearted or casual fan” warns the back of Suicide: Live 1977–1978, a limited-edition six-disc box set out now on Blast First Petite. The collection documents the tour following the release of Suicide’s classic self-titled debut. It includes rough recordings of full shows at New York City venues CBGB’s, Max’s Kansas City and The Palladium, as well as brutal sets from a European tour with Elvis Costello and the Clash.

Riots were incited. Bottles were thrown. Faces were cut with glass. The punks were royally fucked with. For singer Alan Vega and keyboardist Martin Rev, instigation and agitation were vital and necessary. Although it’s a difficult, monotonous listen, this box set (limited to only 3,000 copies) captures an anger, a frustration and an oppressive, pulsating sound that truly pissed people off. Here, Vega speaks candidly with self-titled about the death of punk, the art of confrontation and his biggest fear. Part two of our unedited interview—the one with the ax-wielding fan anecdote—will run tomorrow morning.