Simi's best known punk rockers give it up for hometown fans
Strung Out holds record release party Saturday at Skatelab
By Miguel Morales Miguel@theacorn.com

IRIS SMOOT/Acorn Newspapers PASSIONATE VOCALS- Strung Out vocalist Jason Cruz performs a short acoustic set with the rest of the band on the edge of the bowl at Skatelab. The band, formed in Simi Valley in the early '90s, held a CD release party on Sunday evening for their 10th album, "Blackhawks Over Los Angeles," which debuted Tuesday. Below, loyal fans and skaters show their appreciation for the group's impromptu set. The event cost nothing to attend.

At first glance, June 9 seemed like any another Saturday at Simi Valley's Skatelab- a locale quickly gaining national notoriety with its connection to the California High School Skate Club and the nation's firstever high school skateboarding league.

The indoor skate park and museum was alive with the sounds of metal-on-metal from the masses of skateboarders landing "50-50" and "Smith" grinds, but in one corner of the park, another kind of metal was pumping over the facility's speakers.

The five members of Strung Out- quite possibly the bestselling band ever to claim residency in Simi Valley besides The Grass Roots- were hosting a recordrelease party for the debut of their 10th compilation, "Blackhawks over Los Angeles," which arrived at stores June 12.

Offering their intensely loyal hometown fans a free chance to get up close and personal with the band- not to mention the chance to chow down on some free grub- the hard-and-fast rockers of Strung Out showed once again why they've long held a reputation as a band of the people.

"Free beer, free food, good music and skateboarding- who wouldn't turn out for that?" rhetorically asked the group's bassist, Chris Aiken. "This is our style and the best way to get the word out."

Formed in Simi Valley in 1991, the five-piece melodic punk band is comprised of vocalist Jason Cruz, guitarists Jake Kiley and Rob Ramos, drummer Jordan Burns and Aiken.

As choice cuts from "Blackhawks," played over the skate park's sound system, guests lined up to eat burgers and hot dogs grilled by the band members themselves before being treated to a live acoustic set by the band after 9 p.m.

IRIS SMOOT/Acorn Newspapers SPECIAL TREAT- Strung Out guitarist Rob Ramos raps with some fans. Ramos was born and raised in Simi Valley.

Aiken found himself mingling with the crowd and signing autographs most of the night. As he talked with fans about their latest songs, skateboarders flew in and out of sight over the rail on the half pipe behind him.

A longtime resident of Simi, Aiken said he recalled having similar events for their past CD releases but added that Saturday's was one of the bigger turnouts.

The band has gained almost worldwide fame since its rocky start in the early '90s, Aiken said. Yet that hasn't stopped them from doing local shows and events such as this, he added.

"We always have to line up an act in our hometown," Aiken said. "It just wouldn't feel right if we didn't."

A loyal fan and parent, Alex Varons, 47, showed up to the event with his 12-year-old son.

"I let my son listen to (Strung Out) all the time; I even listen to them when I ride my Harley," Varons said. "Back in the day, I listened to AC/DC and Queen; these guys are on the same level as those bands, just more uptodate."

Strung Out not only plays fast, they record fast as well. "Blackhawks," a 13-track CD, took only two and a half months to produce, guitarist Kiley said.

"When we work on one song for too long we get sick of hearing it," Kiley said. "Since we finished the album relatively quickly the music still sounds fresh, even to the band members."

The 31-year-old Kiley, even with the band's punk rock stardom, still blends into the crowd almost seamlessly.

As people gather around, he greets them with a friendly, "What's up, man." Living in Simi almost all his life, Kiley and the rest of the band have grown to respect the fans in their hometown, he said.

"It's cool living in a small town were everyone knows your name," Kiley said.

Later that night, Strung Out signed autographs, handed out posters and performed songs off their new album. Julie Stevens, 22, stood in the back of the crowd as music filled the air and admitted to owning all of the bands albums.

"I'm impressed," Stevens said. "This one sounds better than their last one, and I loved their last one."

Stevens said she was flattered by the fact that a band would hang out with their fans, cook burgers for them and then perform a show all in the same night.

Many of Strung Out's fans that night had been longtime listeners, but to check out the band's newest CD for yourself, go to www.strungout.com.