Strung Out

Strung Out is an influential American melodic skate punk band formed in 1989 in Simi Valley, California, best known for pioneering a unique, technically demanding style that fuses the high-speed drumming and energy of punk rock with the complex, precise guitar solos and compositional structures of heavy metal and progressive rock. The band, featuring vocalist Jason Cruz and guitarists Jake Kiley and Rob Ramos, was one of the first groups signed to the renowned punk label Fat Wreck Chords and played a pivotal role in shaping the sound of ’90s skate and melodic hardcore. Albums like Twisted by Design (1998) and An American Paradox (2002) are considered seminal works in the genre, characterized by aggressive lyrical themes, technical virtuosity, and a relentless, dual-guitar attack that has maintained their reputation as one of the most respected and powerful bands in the punk rock community.