After almost thirty-five years of practicing and perfecting a craft, it’s safe to say that by album ten things should come somewhat naturally. On the newest album from Strung Out, Dead Rebellion, out April 5 on longtime home, Fat Wreck Chords, the band has certainly come to terms with the bleakness of the current world, but also their wonderful and joyful place within it.
Negotiation begins with yourself, and the world can truly change the goalposts of a project and the desire for the creative purpose. Dead Rebellion is for the fans and this album is a true love letter to Strung Outs’ legacy and history, focusing on the beauty that lies in creating music and staying honest with one’s heart, even in a bleak and decaying, politically-tarnished system.
“I’m a person of the world and planet Earth is my neighborhood,” says vocalist Jason Cruz. “Every record comes with the task of earning our audience back. We have to earn our place at the table with every single record and song. In the modern world, people are increasingly fickle and overstimulated compared to the past and can move on so fast. You have to give people the goods every time. There is a weight of expectation for sure. I measure success in the fact that people are still willing to give our music a shot and it’s that chance people give us every time that is the greatest success.”
Dead Rebellion is proof that Strung Out is willing to adapt, change, and keep progression at the forefront of the operation while still being so incredibly humble at the same time. The record packs a punch and fans of the band—old and new—will be sonically captured it.
Cruz further explains the key ingredient within the album.
“We are older and more emotionally creatively connected than ever before. This is the strongest the band has ever been. You can’t make excuses and apologize, it’s not your fault for all the things you didn’t do correctly when you were younger. It’s your fault now when you are older and you don’t fix anything and change those patterns. We are a testament to how people can work together even when we have nothing in common and figure it out, and more importantly, blossom. It’s the ultimate meaning to my life. If this band can still work then I can make anything work and turn it into something beautiful.”
Punk rock and hardcore has gone through many changes through the decades, but it all starts with believing in something. Dead Rebellion is a new chapter for the band and a reaction to a new world told through the eyes of Cruz.
“I feel obsolete; the values I held, what I believed in, and the beliefs I dedicated my life to are no longer relevant,” Cruz says. “The world is changing and it’s an interesting process to witness and find what I once held so close in everything today. I see the world differently now that I’m a father. I’m still a punk at heart and who I was at the core. I still know I am and I’ve always had a solid idea of what I wanted to achieve, but I feel toe to toe with the world more now than ever and I know in my heart that I’m right in the way I feel and that’s all that matters.”
While Dead Rebellion touches a lot on negative topics, the goal and undertone of the record is growth and to provides listeners with a mindset to hold on to of hope, positivity, and an open-minded experience, no matter how far-gone things seem.
Cruz leaves us with his final comments on why he continues to campaign forward amongst the chaos and use his creative flare to combat the challenges in front.
“When the negative elements turn into a positive outcome, that is one of my favorite things about life. I try to keep it simple so I can keep moving forward and not sink in the weight of options that life creates. There is a hopelessness in the world and that is overwhelming and that is the thumb this record is under. This record titled itself is my painting of my surroundings and what I see. It is beautiful to be in a hopeless situation but still stand up tall in your best clothes doing what you love, because there is no reward for anything when we are gone. Once you make peace with that and release life itself is the payoff, everything you need is in your pocket and people fail to realize that and turn obstacles into opportunities.”
Dead Rebellion comes out on Friday and you can pre-order it from Fat Wreck Chords. Follow Strung Out on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for future updates.
Photo courtesy of Alan Snodgrass
