A veteran punk act whose history dates back to the early ’90s, Strung Out emerged at a time when punk still had a purpose. Some 20 years later, the band is going strong and for its current tour, which includes a stop at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday at the Grog Shop, it’s playing 1996’s Suburban Teenage Wasteland Blues and 1998’s Twisted by Design in their entireties. Singer Jason Cruz recently spoke about the band’s history and the current tour. Tickets are $18.
You were one-of-if-not-the first band to sign to Fat Wreck Chords. That proved to be a smart move. Did you know at the time that it was the right decision?
I think we were the fourth band to sign and I remember BYO wanted to sign us. We were really familiar with the Youth Brigade and the Stern Brothers, who were on BYO. They had a reputation. And we were like, “Who the fuck is [Fat Wreck Chords head] Fat Mike and what the fuck is Fat Wreck Chords?” BYO turned us down because we were too metal, and Fat Wreck Chords wanted to do a 7-inch. Me and [original bassist] Jim Cherry carpeted Fat Mike’s house and convinced him to do a full-length. Jim owned a carpet company and I worked with him on weekends. People always ask, “How did you get a record deal.” I always say, “I don’t know. I carpeted some dude’s house.”
