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STRUNG OUT
Jake Kiley tells Veronica.
"When the symbol kills the substance, then we've lost."
Current members: Jason/vocals, Jake/guitar, Rob/guitar, Chris/bass, Jordan/drums
"The music used to be everything, the music used to heal. But business soon becomes reality, and nothing left inside is real." A case that the boys of Strung Out have definitely proven wrong, themselves. Even though they're "Strung Out" (DUH!), the only thing they have strung out is insane rhythm and escalating consistency.
15 years. 9 releases (fatwreck.com). Well over 500,000 independently sold records. A creative fusion of both punk and metal, they're aggressive and melodic, delivering bold words, leaving no one in denial of the quality they possess as musicians. After all this time, and all this hard work, they're still going strong. Coming from Simi Valley, California, spending most of their time on the road has certainly paid off in their 11+ successful world tours. See them near you. They rule. It doesn't stop here either.
Things to Check the Fuck Out:
strungout.com - myspace.com/strungout - jasonalexandercruz.com - motoxxx.com
This is a super special friend of mine, Jake Kiley. Jake is nice. Jake plays guitar for Strung Out. We like Jake. I love Jake.
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Photo: Louis Ramos |
Veronica: Why Strung Out? How did this start?
Jake: I met these guys when I was in 11th grade. I saw um play a party and always heard about their shows, then a good friend of mine started playing drums for um and got me in!
V: Where are you guys at right now?
J: We're still loving it, trying to put out an album every 2 years, and keep up our touring schedule. I'm really happy I still get to do this for a living!
V: Always on the road. Any place you wanna go that you haven't been? Where's your favorite place to travel to?
J: I have so many favorites, I just try to take in as much as I can! Some would be Australia, Canada, Tokyo/Japan, and Bavaria. I really hope we can get to Russia!
V: What are you guys getting into lately? Any recording, or plans to?
J: Right now, we're about to go down to Brazil for some shows, which will be my first time so I can't wait. That, and writing a lot of music for our next album.
V: What can we expect from this? How is it similar or different to your past albums?
J: I think our next one will be one of our best, most diverse albums. We learned a lot recording our last album ( Exile in Oblivion), and I can't wait to grow more on this one.
V: What should people interpret from your music, if anything?
J: We try to leave our songs a bit vague, we like our fans to be able to derive their own meanings from them. We just write about things that we've lived through and experienced.
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Photo: Louis Ramos |
V: The name of your band is Strung Out. You guys are damn good musicians. Do you think that your name spreads a common misconception about what you guys are really about? Where did your name come from?
J: The band had the name when I joined them, which I liked at the time. I do think it has misrepresented us at times, and is something we have had to work against.
V: Is there anything about Strung Out you'd potentially wish to change?
J: Our name ;)
V: Hahahaahah!!!
V: Which past release has been your favorite, and why? Favorite songs to play?
J: I honestly like our last album, 'Exile in oblivion'. It's our best. The production, songs, and artwork all feel like a step up from any other thing we've done!
V: I like that one, too ;) I also think that 'The Element of Sonice Defiance' is pretty awesome, too.
V: You guys have been a band for a long fucking time. How long exactly? And what keeps you guys going strong?
J: It's been 13 years that we've been signed to Fat Wreck, and the other guys were doing it for about 2 years before me, so yeah, like 15 years!! It's crazy, and I really have no idea why we haven't burned out when so many others have. I think it's just that we really need this in our lives, no matter what. We give ourselves space, which I think a lot of groups neglect.
V: What elements do you think each member of Strung Out brings to the table?
J: We'll we all come to the table with different ideas and different perspectives on the songs. We all listen to a wide variety of stuff, and luckily we've developed a chemistry that lets us mix all of these ideas together, without killing each other!
V: Any fun facts about any of you guys you care to share?
J: Ha ha, no. We're pretty damn boring!
V: Well, I am going to share something then. Jake has the most Star Wars toys I have ever seen in my life. And, a really amazing cuckoo clock! Ha ha.
V: What are some of your influences and favorite bands?
J: Just old stuff like Slayer, Bad Religion, The Descendents, SOD.
V: A shitload of fans possess tattoos to show their appreciation for your music. How does this make you feel? Any one tattoo in particular you find interesting?
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Photo: Louis Ramos |
J: It's totally crazy!! I love it thought, those kids mean so much to us, and that's something that always keeps me focused! I can't let any of them down, they have us on them for life. It blows me away that I'm finding new ones all the time! Can't say I have a fave.
V: What do you think about our website? Got a favorite godsgirl?
J: I love it! Oh, definitely Veronica!
V: *BLUSHES*
V: Favorite venue to play?
J: Maybe Transalvania in Milan.
V: Biggest accomplishment to date?
J: Selling out the Palladium in Los Angeles, in 2002.
V: If you could ask me anything, what would it be?
J: Will you marry me?? ;)
V: Yes.
"We all believe we have the right, to make believe we know what's right.
But how much will it take to make you stand and be heard?"
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