In its 1980s heyday, the band found great success in Minneapolis and the Midwest, and scored radio and dance-club hits with the songs "Music for Boys", "Waiting", and "Love Is the Law".

Osgood instead introduced them to drummer Hugo Klaers, guitarist Bruce Allen, and bassist Michael Halliday, who had been playing in a group called Tsetse Flies.

[4][5][6] The Suburbs' sound crossed the sophisticated glam rock of Roxy Music and David Bowie with the rawer energy of punk-inflected groups like Talking Heads and Devo.

"[7] The band's energy was described by music writer Martin Keller as the interplay between the "accomplished and often romantic" Poling and his "manic foil" Chaney.

[8] Cyn Collins, author of Complicated Fun: The Birth of Minneapolis Punk and Indie Rock, 1974–1984, described Chaney as "a riveting front man, menacing and hilarious at the same time.

[9] After building a following playing basement parties, the Suburbs had their first major success at influential Minneapolis punk/New Wave nexus Jay's Longhorn Bar; Klaers said that after getting regular gigs at the venue, "we went from nobodies to this super popular band.

One notable audience member at the Suburbs' shows was Bruce Springsteen, then on tour supporting his album The River, who was so impressed with the band that he nearly joined them on stage for an encore.

[10] The band's popularity increased during the early to mid-1980s, and 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.

The single "World War III" (and its B-side, "Change Agent") showed development of the band's songwriting abilities and improved sound.

The EP Dream Hog followed on Twin/Tone, featuring three new songs and a remix of "Waiting" on the B-side, all produced by Steven Greenberg of Funkytown and Lipps Inc fame.

In 2002, the Suburbs reissued the albums In Combo, Credit In Heaven and Love Is The Law on CD on the band's own Beejtar Records.

In 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).

[16] The band's new lineup included original members Poling and Klaers, sax player Max Ray of The Wallets, guitarists Brantseg and Jeremy Ylvisaker, bassist Steve Prince, backing vocalist Janey Winterbauer, Rochelle Becker on baritone saxophone, and Steven Kung on horns and keyboards.

The band has been honored with a star on the outside mural of the Minneapolis nightclub First Avenue,[17] recognizing performers that have played sold-out shows or have otherwise demonstrated a major contribution to the culture at the iconic venue.