What does California suburbia, boredom and a penchant for Bad Religion make? It creates the perfect conditions for the SoCal neo-punk tsunami that has drenched radio airwaves. However, Strung Out, a band that grew out of such an environment, has somehow managed to retain its momentum and entice loyal followers with a stronger rendition of California punk.
Strung Out is not so far out there that its label, Fat Wreck Chords, has lost the band. The music is still in the Southern California pop/punk ballpark, but Strung Out has beefier, more aggressive music coupled with understandable melodies, which makes them a step or two in front of today’s pop/punk radio leeches. There always has to be a leader.
Let’s face it: The band formed in 1992; it actually went through the rite of passage and did the world tour thing and now is making a name for itself the good old-fashioned way. Apparently a part of that passage includes a stopover at UCSD on May 8 to hit the stage and put its music where the hype is.
Strung Out’s influences stretch all the way back to jazz, classic rock, old school punk, metal and pop — it is like one great big musical smorgasbord, with some pretty loyal followers.
Though it sounds like an urban legend, Strung Out has an energy that has been known to whip up even the tamest of crowds into a frenzy. When the fivesome walks onstage, concert-goers act as if, well, they were strung out and overly excited to hear a seemingly paradoxical blend of hostility, vigor and compassion.
Lead singer and lyricist Jason Cruz forcibly engages the crowd, demanding attention through his stage presence. Guitarists Jake Kiley and Rob Ramos are way more than technically proficient, they are downright talented. Jordan Burns hammers out the drum rhythms, and Chris Aiken is that quieter bass player in the corner that is oh-so-cool.
Strung Out is gearing up for a world tour and the UCSD show will be a nice prologue to catch. It will be sort of like a special insider glimpse at a much bigger phenomenon. The European leg of the tour begins May 16 in the United Kingdom, hits Australia in July and then returns to North America for August and September. Possible shows in Japan, Costa Rica and South Africa are still in the preliminary stages; it’s all the name of the game for Warped Tour veterans Strung Out.
With seven studio releases under their studded belts and more to come in the foreseeable future, catch Strung Out now while tickets are only $8 for students, $10 for faculty, general admission and seniors. This is the closing show of the Associated Students Buzz Concert Series and takes place on May 8 at 8 p.m. at The Stage.
