New Alan Vega 12″ “You Pay / Too Many Teardrops” To Coincide with Suicide Tribute Concert Featuring Eugene Hutz, Martin Rev, Genesis P-Orridge and More

Alan Vega (June 23, 1938 – July 16, 2016) the mastermind behind electronic punk band Suicide was known for his intensity. He once said, “In the beginning Suicide stood out because there was nobody like us. There still isn’t. I have known bands who try to sound like us and some of them do a fairly decent job but they’re not like us. They don’t have the intensity. Back in the day people used to say to us: ‘Oh you guys are ahead of our time’ but I don’t believe in that stuff. I thought we were right on our time – everyone else was behind the time.”

Vega died in his sleep at the age of 78 and is survived by his wife Liz and son Dante. Henry Rollins shared family-approved message on his website  “Alan Vega was the quintessential artist on every imaginable level,” reads the statement. “His entire life was devoted to outputting what his vision commanded of him.”

On March 8, Velvet Elk Records will release “You Pay / Too Many Teardrops”, one of the last recordings by the late Vega. Produced and co-written by Vega’s friend and collaborator, Mr. Pharmacist (Gregg Foreman) this limited edition 12” single features remixes by Jim Sclavunos of Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Jim Thirlwell of Foetus, with contributions from Nick Zinner and White Hills. Proceeds will benefit children’s Little Kids Rock, supporting music education programs nationwide.

“Alan Vega is one of the great revolutionary voices in rock & roll,” said Bruce Springsteen, who made Suicide’s “Dream Baby Dream” a live staple. “The bravery and passion he showed throughout his career was deeply influential to me….The blunt force power of his greatest music both with Suicide and on his solo records can still shock and inspire today. There was simply no one else remotely like him.”

There will be a free listening party at The Bowery Electric on February 27, followed by a DJ set by Genesis P-Orridge. Suicide Sally will present A Night to Celebrate the Music of Suicide. Tickets are available here. Early copies of You Pay /Too Many Teardrops will be available for purchase, and the preorder is here.

A Celebration of the Music of Suicide will feature Martin Rev, Eugene Hutz, Kid Congo, Lydia Lynch, Jesse Malin, Luke Jenner (Rapture), Cynthia Ross, Mr. Pharmacist, Alan’s family Liz Lamere and Dante Vega, Peter Zaremba and Keith Streng of The Fleshtones, Jonathan Toubin and more, with additional guests to be announced.