Strung Out / Credit: Fat Wreck Chords
Punk Pioneers Strung Out will celebrate their 20th anniversary with the release of their seventh studio album, Agents of Underground, September 29 on Fat Wreck Chords.
Long-time fan Cameron Webb (Social Distortion, Motorhead, IGNITE) stepped up to produce the band's latest release. Fans can expect Strung Out's signature blend of punk, metal, and hardcore to be present on Agents of Underground.
Over the past two decades Strung Out has not only helped to write the rules, but to define an entire genre. Their influence can be heard on releases from the likes of Rise Against, Thrice, AFI, Avenged Sevenfold, Blink-182, and many more.
Riley Breckenridge of Thrice, Tim McIlrath of Rise Against and M. Shadows of Avenged Sevenfold recently decided to share their thoughts and reflect on what Strung Out means to them.
"I remember hearing Another Day In Paradise for the first time back in '94 and being so blown away by it-- fast, melodic, energetic, metal-influenced punk rock, with beautiful harmonies and some of the best musicianship I'd ever heard in a punk band-- that I followed them around the West Coast like a Deadhead. I couldn't get enough of them. Strung Out was the soundtrack to some of the best (and worst) moments of the 90's for me. They were a huge influence on Thrice in our early stages, and I don't think I'd be in a band today if they didn't pique my interest in music back then." - Riley Breckenridge, drums/Thrice
"Some of our very first tours were opening for Strung Out, so I had the opportunity to see them live over and over. Growing up in the punk scene, but always having one foot in the metal scene, I appreciated the metal they blended together with pop and punk. Jason is one of the most compelling frontmen/lyricists in punk, and added imagery and intellect to a pop-punk scene inundated with goofy songs about farts or bad break-ups. Their complex riffs and harmonies challenged and inspired the scores of bands that would walk in their footsteps."
- Tim McIlrath, vocals, guitars/Rise Against
"Strung Out was a major contributor to my musical influences growing up. Aside from metal, I was listening to a lot of west coast punk rock. Strung Out was different for me because they blended the sounds of melodic punk and metal unlike any band I had heard before them. They could play very well and very fast but still kept one foot in the punk rock scene. I still love throwing on Strung Out to hear the soundtrack to some of my greatest summers." - M. Shadows, vocals/Avenged Sevenfold
Last month Spin.com debuted the first mp3 from Agents of Underground. Check out the feature here. Then download a free mp3 of Black Crosses.
The legendary band is gearing up to hit the road in support of Agents of Underground. Strung Out will be joined by Pour Habit and The Flatliners. The 30-date run kicks off at Velvet Jones in Santa Barbara, CA tomorrow September 5 and wraps up November 1 at Karma in Victorville, CA.
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