Their current lineup includes Muir, guitarists Dean Pleasants and Ben Weinman, bassist Tye Trujillo and drummer Jay Weinberg.

Notable musicians who have contributed to the band's studio or live activities include guitarists Rocky George and Mike Clark; bassists Louiche Mayorga, Robert Trujillo, Ra Díaz, Josh Paul and Stephen "Thundercat" Bruner; and drummers Amery Smith, Jimmy DeGrasso, Brooks Wackerman, David Hidalgo Jr., Thomas Pridgen, Ron Bruner, Eric Moore, Dave Lombardo, Brandon Pertzborn, Greyson Nekrutman and session musician Josh Freese.

The band achieved its first success with their 1983 self-titled debut album; it spawned the single "Institutionalized", which was one of the first hardcore punk videos to receive substantial airplay on MTV.

Suicidal Tendencies' first three albums on the major label Epic Records — How Will I Laugh Tomorrow When I Can't Even Smile Today (1988), Controlled by Hatred/Feel Like Shit... Déjà Vu (1989) and Lights...Camera...Revolution!

[9][10] The band's sixth studio album, The Art of Rebellion (1992), became their greatest chart success, peaking at number 52 on the Billboard 200,[9] and included three of their biggest hits "Asleep at the Wheel", "Nobody Hears" and "I'll Hate You Better".

[11][12] That album, along with its predecessor and its successors Still Cyco After All These Years (1993) and Suicidal for Life (1994), saw the band experiment further, with sounds and influences ranging from thrash metal to progressive and funk music.

[1] In their original lineup photo, which can be seen inside their self-titled debut album, drummer Amery Smith is wearing a flipped up hat and under the bill are the markings "V13", thought to be initials for Venice 13.

It was described by critic Steve Huey as "Fast, furious, and funny... Mike Muir proves himself an articulate lyricist and commentator, delving into subjects like alienation, depression, and nonconformist politics with intelligence and humor.

In early 1989, Heathcote (who at the time was a father of one child) left the band to support his family and was replaced by Robert Trujillo, who joined Suicidal Tendencies right before their summer European tour with Anthrax.

[26][27][28] Later that year, Suicidal Tendencies released their fourth album (also referred to as a compilation of two EPs), Controlled By Hatred/Feel Like Shit...Déjà Vu.

Although Trujillo appeared in the videos that promoted the album, he was not a member of the band at the time of its recording; bass duties were reportedly handled by Rocky George and Mike Clark.

In addition to those two versions of "How Will I Laugh Tomorrow", as well as two new original cuts ("Just Another Love Song" and "Feel Like Shit...Deja Vu"), the album includes four covers of No Mercy songs ("Master of No Mercy", "Waking the Dead", "Controlled by Hatred" and "Choosing My Own Way of Life") and a cover version of Los Cycos' only-known existing track "It's Not Easy".

The album featured the hit "Waking the Dead", which at seven minutes was one of the most progressive tracks the band had released to date, and had a music video that received considerable airplay by Headbangers Ball on MTV.

All three singles were successful and its music videos (especially for "You Can't Bring Me Down") became staples on MTV's Headbangers Ball;[29] this new-found popularity helped Suicidal Tendencies gain a wider audience in the heavy metal community, despite being commonly accused of "selling out" in the hardcore circle, and eventually resulted in Lights...Camera...Revolution!

As a result, the two formed a funk metal side project in the vein of early Red Hot Chili Peppers called Infectious Grooves.

The rest of the band continued as an incomplete four-piece for about a year, drafting now-famous drummer Josh Freese to record their new album which would become The Art of Rebellion, released in 1992.

Despite the experimentation, and the fact that it was released at a time when grunge became more successful than hard rock and heavy metal, The Art of Rebellion was greeted warmly by most fans and many critics, and garnered Suicidal Tendencies their highest chart position to date on the Billboard 200 (reaching at number 52), and producing three hits: "Asleep at the Wheel", "Nobody Hears" and "I'll Hate You Better", all of which were successful on the Billboard singles charts.

[31] During the accompanying tour for The Art of Rebellion, the band had performed at mostly arenas and stadiums worldwide, sharing the stage with such mainstream rock staples as Metallica, Megadeth, Kiss, Guns N' Roses, Queensrÿche, Danzig, Alice in Chains, Faith No More and White Zombie,[26][32][33] where they earned a wide reputation as an excellent live act.

Rocky George formed the group Samsara and played in 40 Cycle Hum and Cro-Mags after Suicidal Tendencies's breakup, eventually joining Fishbone.

Greg Saenz joined the band before Ron Bruner took over drum duties and Paul also left by the following year but was replaced by his brother Steve.

Suicidal Tendencies secured a spot in the metal/punk rock Soundwave Festival in Australia in February and March 2007, taking in Brisbane, Sydney and Perth.

[47][48] On March 11, 2014, Thomas Pridgen (former drummer of the Mars Volta) confirmed on his Instagram and Facebook page that he had joined Suicidal Tendencies.

"[54] In an April 2015 interview with Metalhead Blog, guitarist Dean Pleasants revealed that Suicidal Tendencies had been working on new material for a possible compilation album.

[55] In a February 2016 interview, Muir hinted at a new EP, followed by a new full-length studio album, inspired by the then-current political climate and upcoming election.

[60] Mike Muir revealed in June 2016 interviews that the album would be called The World Gone Mad, and that the band planned to release a new EP in January 2017.

[67] Muir had stated in interviews that World Gone Mad may be Suicidal Tendencies' final studio album,[68][69][70] though he later retracted this statement, saying, "You can't believe what anybody says nowadays — everybody's effin' lyin'.

"[80] On March 18, 2020, Muir announced on Suicidal Tendencies' Facebook page that they are working on an "old-school vinyl release" featuring instrumental "songs from ST members and people related to ST."[81] Drummer Brandon Pertzborn had filled in Lombardo (who around this time had joined Mr. Bungle and Testament) as a drummer for the band as well as Tye Trujillo filling as a bassist, most likely due to the relationship his father, Robert Trujillo has with the band.

In February of the following year, Nekrutman left the band to join Sepultura on their final world tour and was replaced by current Infectious Grooves and former Slipknot drummer Jay Weinberg.

This marked the band's first song with Weinman, Trujillo and Weinberg, and included additional vocals by Brazilian musicians Badauí (CPM 22), João Gordo (Ratos de Porão), B Negão (Planet Hemp), Rodrigo Lima (Dead Fish), Supla, Fernanda Lira (Crypta), Milton Aguiar (Bayside Kings), Mayara Puertas (Torture Squad), Felipe Ribeiro (Treva), Pirata Homes (Anjo dos Becos), Ya Amaral (Eskrota), Júnior Bass, as well as football player Marinho and skateboarder Sandro Dias.

Various artists have expressed their admiration for Suicidal Tendencies or have cited them as an influence, including Anthrax,[88][89] Body Count,[90] Children of Bodom,[91] Green Day,[89] Jane's Addiction,[89] Killswitch Engage,[92] Megadeth,[88] NOFX,[88] The Offspring,[88] Rage Against the Machine,[89] Sepultura,[93] Sevendust,[92] Skrillex,[94] Slayer,[88][89] Slipknot,[89] Soulfly,[93] Staind,[89] and Terror.