Strung Out
[Twisted Misters]
NO I DID NOT WRITE THIS, SOMEONE ELSE DID.
Has metal returned, seeping its way into the cracks of the just-revived punk scene? Could such an idea even exist? Perhaps the guys of Strung Out might be able to explain.
Their third album, Twisted By Design, might be the best melding of the neo-metal sound and the new-school punk rock style.
Despite being one of the biggest bands in the Fat Wreck Chords' empire, Strung Out hasn't necessarily followed the game plans of their labelmates. One of those diverging factors might be the "metalness" of their sound, which is accomplished by opting to not record with the famous near-patented sound of the Ryan Greene punk rock album making machine.
Strung Out's drummer Jordan explains: "We wanted to do something different to set us apart and find our own niche."
After tooling around with potential producer candidates such as Terry Date (Pantera) and Ross Robinson (Korn), the band finally came to a consensus on Ulrich Wild, whose album credits include Pantera, Deftones, and White Zombie.
"We really wanted a heavy, chunky sound," says Jordan.
And so it goes that Strung Out gets what they ask for. One listen to Twisted By Design will convince the ear that the Pantera-flavored chunk is what they got.
"Ulrich came to band practices and got familiar with our music before we recorded so he could get a really good idea of what he had to expect from us," Jordan said. "It was an interesting process."
The album was recorded in just under a month, and according to Jordan, everyone in the band was pretty satisfied with the results.
But, what about those outisde the band?
Take the Wall Street Journal of punk rock, Maximumrocknroll, who said Strung Out's previous release, a five-song EP, was in essence "total metal."
Jordan doesn't seem bothered: "I take it with a grain of salt. As a musician, you should be able to take criticism. I like to hear honesty, but the bottom line is that not everybody is going to like your band. You've got to please yourself first."
He's still quick to admit that he's open to other styles, and quite secure with his musical tastes considering he's been pplaying punk rock shows since the age of 15 (he's in his "upper twenties" now).
"Although we're a punk rock band, there's nothing to hide; we all like metal for sure," says Jordan. "We were going for just that sound and it makes for a more exciting record."
And he's right. Dont be quick to dismiss Strung Out as an aide to keeping the metal scene alive; it's just not the direction they're heading. Twisted By Design is certainly a fine example of balls-out new school punk rock, with strong vocal melodies and guitar riffing, backed by the requisite double-time kicks from Jordan and this tubs.
By the time you read this, Strung Out should be back from pouring their new punk rock tunes down the ears of thousands during their month long tour of Europe.
I wondered if bands like Strung Out, who play Europe on a fairly consistent basis, still get revved up about crossing the Atlantic.
"Yeah, we still get excited about going to Europe," says Jordan. "However, after you keep going, it's not like the special thing it was the first or second time. It's hard for you to relate that feeling to people because they think it's so rockstar-ish."
Rockstars or not, the band has definitely paid their dues since its start over five years ago.
"It's takena long time to get to where we are now," says Jordan.
Strung Out's employment opportunities include hitting 15 stages as part of this summer's Vans Warped Tour. After that, Strung Out will be on their own US tour, playing shows with Big Wig and H20.
Punk rock is not Jordan's sole business. When he's nt behind the kit, he's producing and developing motocross videos with Eric from NOFX. Jordan also plays drums for the band Pulley (which includes Dodgers' pitcher and lead vocalist Scott Radinsky, who used to be in one of Jordan's former bands, Ten Foot Pole).
Doesn't being in two bands get hectic?
"You learn to work out schedules...plus, it's challenging, cool and I don't mind." Jordan comments.
After all these years, does it ever stop being fun and start becoming work?
Jordan replies: "Sure it's work, but work that I love."
-WALEED RASHIDI