Sie waren eine der ersten Bands, die typischen California Punkrock mit einer gehörigen Kante Metal vereinten: Strung Out – mittlerweile seit nunmehr zwei Dekaden im Geschäft und eines der wahren Urgesteine des US-amerikanischen Fat Wreck-Labels. Im Rückblick fiel das letzte Album der Band, "Blackhawks Over Los Angeles", obgleich es in musikalischer Hinsicht versierter als alles war, was die Band bis dato aufgenommen hatte, vielleicht doch etwas zu wenig melodiös aus. Mit "Agents Of The Underground" bedienen sich Strung Out nun ihrer eigenen musikalischen Schnittmenge und haben somit ein Werk geschrieben, das Härte, Tempo als auch Melodie zu verbinden und dabei hinsichtlich jener gesteckten Richtgrößen stets die Waage zu halten weiß. Jason Cruz und Gefolgschaft scheinen jedoch allem Anschein nach gemerkt zu haben, dass sie ihre wahren Stärken mehr im melodischen Segment zu haben scheinen. Anders ist es nicht zu erklären, dass Songs wie "Black Crosses" und auch der hymnische Titelsong "Agents Of The Underground" wieder mit derart erinnerbaren Melodien versehen wurden. Wir sprachen mit Strung Out-Bassist Chris Aiken über die Entstehung des neuen Albums "Agents Of The Underground":


SJM: First of all I'd like to know how it feels like waiting for a record like "Agents Of The Underground" to be released. What are you doing in days like these, when the record is about to be released worldwide?

Chris Aiken / Strung Out: Well, there is always that wait before our new record comes out. We are all very happy with the way it turned out. But waiting for your fans to hear it is always fun. You hope they like it. I feel this album is a great collective vocabulary of all of our previous albums. I think our fans will like this one a lot.

SJM: In the last 20 years Strung Out have developed into a band that mixes the influences of Punkrock and Metal. Having a look back for a moment now – did you ever think that your style would develop in such a direction?

Chris Aiken / Strung Out: Before I got into to Strung Out, I was the biggest fan ( still am). When I first heard "Suburban" I remember going wow! This band sounds so different than the last record. This one has a metal edge to it and its right up my alley. Since I joined the band I feel all of us writers in the band have a new way of selfless expression.Wwe write what we want and all of us have a say in the song process.

SJM: Up to date you have released all your albums on Fat Wreck Chords. Was there ever a time or period where you wanted to try something completely new with another label? Why did you stick two decades to Fat Wreck? What makes this label the most interesting one for Strung Out?

Chris Aiken / Strung Out: Well, being with Fat for this long has been great. Our whole career has been with them this far...Fat Mike as our boss is great because he's a guy in a band as well and he always looks out for us. So it's better than having some major label who you dont know anyone there.

SJM: In regards to "Blackhawks Over Los Angeles" and "Exile In Oblivion" – "Agents Of The Underground" is way more punkrock and way more melodic – was this development a conscious decision or was it just the way things turned out to be?

Chris Aiken / Strung Out: I think after working with Matt Hyde he really educated us on song writing and melody. On Exile we learned alot, Blackhawks we came into it as scholars, then when it came to writing with Cameron Webb we ended up professors of rock..haha...I have a PHd in metal. Just kidding.

SJM: Strung Out-records have always been quite epic, personal, melancholic, and apocalyptic at the same time. As for "Agents Of The Underground" – would you say that this description fits and all these elements play a major role once again?

Chris Aiken / Strung Out: Of course, we're a family of musicians that have grown, struggled and triumphed though adveristy. All of our life lessons influence you in art. We express our life through music.

SJM: The coverart of "Agents Of The Underground" is outstanding once again. Could you please tell us about the overall idea behind that artwork and how it relates to the title of your new record?

Chris Aiken / Strung Out: Well, Jason is the mastermind behind the art . He never ceases to amaze me.(check out amerikanblackheart.com). His paintings and lyrics are absolutely amazing. We got into cobras due to the recent Rambo movie. My good friend Sergie from Samiam does graphic design for countless bands. He actually approached me on the idea of working on our new album with Jason. So Jay's art and direction with Sergie's layout. I love it! It has a 70's Robert Rodriguez western look to it. And you simply can't beat a cobra. Unless you are a mongoose.

SJM: On the one hand side "Agents Of The Underground" sounds quite apocalyptical and dark, on the other hand side there's an underlying hopefulness and optimism that has an influence on the songs. Could you plaese tell us which element is more important for the band, and e.g. more important for your creativity?

Chris Aiken / Strung Out: What's important for our creativity is our lifes everyday scenarios. What we do to get through life will come out in our music expression. We eat, we starve, we fall and we rise all the time. Without any struggle life wouldn't be such an amazing journey.

SJM: I once read that music is a way for you in order to comprehend how growing older works. Could you please explain to us what you - I think Jason said that – meant by this?

Chris Aiken / Strung Out: It is in a way. Kinda of what I said in the previous question covers this. But yeah, life is a journey.

SJM: What – from your point of view – is the most interesting element or aspect of "Agents Of The Underground"? What about a characteristic that makes this specific Strung Out-record unique?

Chris Aiken / Strung Out: I think what makes us unique is that we all write music.. Everyone has a say in the idea of a song. We're like a democracy..I think that's what makes us not sound stale record to record..

SJM: Let's just have a short look into the future of Strung Out. What's about to happen in the forseeable future right after the release of "Agents Of The Underground"? Is a tour through Europe planned once again?

Chris Aiken / Strung Out: Well, we're on tour right now. On our way to New Orleans right now. Doing a little southern US run. We go to Costa Rica and Japan in Novemeber. Then next year we'll be all over the world. So yes, Europe here we come.

SJM: I always leave the last statement to the band. Is there anything you want to add or say. Please be my guest.

Chris Aiken / Strung Out: Thanks for the interview. Thank you to all our fans around the world! Without you we wouldnt exsist! COBRAS !!!!!!!!

(Dennis Grenzel)