Stretch Arm Strong
Encyclopedia
Stretch Arm Strong is a hardcore punk
band from Chapin
South Carolina
, and the flagship band for We Put Out Records
. They have been active since 1992. Several of the band members are outspoken Christian
s, but they prefer not to be classified as a Christian band in some cases. They do prefer to be known as Christian with influences, but not as a band that "preaches".
After their freshman release on Uprising Records
, Compassion Fills the Void, they released three albums for Solid State Records
in 1999, 2001, and 2003 respectively. In addition, they have done several U.S. tours and several European tours.
Stretch Arm Strong are signed to We Put Out Records
, a label on East West (a branch of the Warner Music Group
), having fulfilled their deal with Solid State. Their most recent LP, Free at Last
, was recorded in April and May 2005 with James Paul Wisner (producer of albums by Further Seems Forever
and Underoath
) and released in fall of the same year.
They have mostly been inactive since 2005. They are playing 2 shows in January 2010 and it seems they will stay mainly inactive after that. According to their myspace they stated "While we appreciate all of the kind comments and excitement, we dont plan on doing anymore shows or tours. I never want to make anything too final, but as far as we are concerned this will be it for a long time. We want to make it special and fun. Please come join us."
Throughout their career, Stretch Arm Strong has made their music—and themselves—as youth-friendly as possible. Most of their lyrics have been much more positively oriented than the typical hardcore band's lyrics. In their song "For the Record" on A Revolution Transmission, they tell their story of how they grew up in the early South Carolina hardcore scene and went to all-ages shows; they have also refused to play shows at venues (or even in cities) which would not allow anyone under 18 to attend their concerts. In addition, some of the band members served as schoolteachers when not playing with the band.
Hardcore punk
Hardcore punk is an underground music genre that originated in the late 1970s, following the mainstream success of punk rock. Hardcore is generally faster, thicker, and heavier than earlier punk rock. The origin of the term "hardcore punk" is uncertain. The Vancouver-based band D.O.A...
band from Chapin
Chapin, South Carolina
Chapin, also known as the capital of Lake Murray, is a town located in Lexington County, South Carolina. Chapin was founded by Martin Chapin in 1889. The following year, 1890, the railroad was built to connect Chapin to Columbia, South Carolina and other major regions. The population of Chapin was...
South Carolina
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
, and the flagship band for We Put Out Records
We Put Out Records
We Put Out Records started as a vehicle for The Syndicate to release music from friends' bands that were without a record label.The Syndicate began as a radio promotion company but soon branched out into street marketing and artist management...
. They have been active since 1992. Several of the band members are outspoken Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
s, but they prefer not to be classified as a Christian band in some cases. They do prefer to be known as Christian with influences, but not as a band that "preaches".
After their freshman release on Uprising Records
Uprising Records
Uprising Records is a record label founded in 1994 by Sean Muttaqi - having released records by Fall Out Boy, 7 Angels 7 Plagues, Cipher, Red Knife Lottery, Underminded, Amir Sulaiman, iCON the Mic King, The Crest and more...
, Compassion Fills the Void, they released three albums for Solid State Records
Solid State Records
Solid State Records is a Christian record label, a division of Tooth & Nail Records. Unlike Tooth & Nail, Solid State signs hardcore and metal bands. Like Tooth & Nail, Solid State is primarily a Christian label. However, they have signed several bands that don't label themselves as Christian,...
in 1999, 2001, and 2003 respectively. In addition, they have done several U.S. tours and several European tours.
Stretch Arm Strong are signed to We Put Out Records
We Put Out Records
We Put Out Records started as a vehicle for The Syndicate to release music from friends' bands that were without a record label.The Syndicate began as a radio promotion company but soon branched out into street marketing and artist management...
, a label on East West (a branch of the Warner Music Group
Warner Music Group
Warner Music Group is the third largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry, making it one of the big four record companies...
), having fulfilled their deal with Solid State. Their most recent LP, Free at Last
Free at Last (Stretch Arm Strong album)
Free at Last is the fifth album by hardcore band Stretch Arm Strong and their first release on We Put Out Records.- Track listing :# The Hardest Part # Hearts on Fire...
, was recorded in April and May 2005 with James Paul Wisner (producer of albums by Further Seems Forever
Further Seems Forever
Further Seems Forever is an American rock band formed in 1998 in Pompano Beach, Florida and disbanded in 2006. Over the course of their career the band experienced several lineup changes, resulting in a different lead vocalist performing on each of their three studio albums...
and Underoath
Underoath
Underoath is an American Christian metalcore band from Tampa, Florida. Founded by Dallas Taylor and Luke Morton on November 30, 1997 in Ocala, Florida, subsequently its additional members were from Tampa, Florida...
) and released in fall of the same year.
They have mostly been inactive since 2005. They are playing 2 shows in January 2010 and it seems they will stay mainly inactive after that. According to their myspace they stated "While we appreciate all of the kind comments and excitement, we dont plan on doing anymore shows or tours. I never want to make anything too final, but as far as we are concerned this will be it for a long time. We want to make it special and fun. Please come join us."
Social issues and activism
Stretch Arm Strong has actively addressed several pressing social concerns, such as the following:- Their first album for Solid State, Rituals of Life, was dedicated to a friend of the band, Matthew Leveton, who was injured in a car accident and left quadriplegic. The band has since done several benefit shows for raising money for Leveton's recovery.
- On their album A Revolution Transmission, they had a song called "Take Back. Control" which provided a candid, but clean, discussion of sexual violence. The song was intended for rape victims in particular, and they included a telephone number for a rape hotline in the liner notes for the CD.
- Band members Chris McLane and David Sease are longtime vegetarians, have shown support for PETAPeople for the Ethical Treatment of AnimalsPeople for the Ethical Treatment of Animals is an American animal rights organization based in Norfolk, Virginia, and led by Ingrid Newkirk, its international president. A non-profit corporation with 300 employees and two million members and supporters, it claims to be the largest animal rights...
, and the band went on a "Hardcore Against Fur" tour starting in December 2004 with H2OH2O (American band)-Prologue:Prior to the formation of H2O, in the early-mid-1980s, Todd Morse and Rusty Pistachio were part of the speed punk band "Roadside Petz". This band featured Wayne Williams on drums...
and With Honor.
Throughout their career, Stretch Arm Strong has made their music—and themselves—as youth-friendly as possible. Most of their lyrics have been much more positively oriented than the typical hardcore band's lyrics. In their song "For the Record" on A Revolution Transmission, they tell their story of how they grew up in the early South Carolina hardcore scene and went to all-ages shows; they have also refused to play shows at venues (or even in cities) which would not allow anyone under 18 to attend their concerts. In addition, some of the band members served as schoolteachers when not playing with the band.
Members
- Chris McLane - vocals
- David Sease - guitar/vocals (original member)
- John Barry - drums (original member)
- Glen Calder - guitar
- Chris Andrews - bass
Former members
- Matt McCarty - bass/vocals - (founder/original member)
- Donnie Raines - bass
- Shawn Williams - bass
- Scott Dempsey - guitar (original member)
- Jeremy Jeffers - bass/guitar
- Sean McGuckin - bass
- JC Lopez - guitar (previously of GlasseaterGlasseaterGlasseater was a pop punk band from Miami, Florida. The band formed in 1998 as a duo, eventually expanding to a quintet. Energetic live shows got the band signed to Ides of March Records in 1999, and a second album was released on Eulogy Recordings in 2000. Nationwide touring ensued, opening for...
)
Discography
- Not Without Resistance EP (1995)
- It Burns Clean EPIt Burns Clean EPIt Burns Clean is the second EP by hardcore band Stretch Arm Strong on Reflections Records. All of the songs were re-recorded for their second full length album Rituals of Life.-Credits:* Chris McLane * Scott Dempsey...
(1998) - Compassion Fills the VoidCompassion Fills the VoidCompassion Fills the Void is the debut album by hardcore band Stretch Arm Strong on Uprising Records.-Track listing:# Through My Actions# Second Chances # Refuge # Vision# Reason to Care# Hand in Hand# Serenity...
(1998, Uprising RecordsUprising RecordsUprising Records is a record label founded in 1994 by Sean Muttaqi - having released records by Fall Out Boy, 7 Angels 7 Plagues, Cipher, Red Knife Lottery, Underminded, Amir Sulaiman, iCON the Mic King, The Crest and more...
) - Rituals of LifeRituals of LifeRituals of Life is the second album by hardcore band Stretch Arm Strong and their first release on Solid State Records.-Track listing:# When Sorrow Falls# Outside Looking In# Second Chances # All We've Lost# Try to Forget# For Now...
(1999, Solid State RecordsSolid State RecordsSolid State Records is a Christian record label, a division of Tooth & Nail Records. Unlike Tooth & Nail, Solid State signs hardcore and metal bands. Like Tooth & Nail, Solid State is primarily a Christian label. However, they have signed several bands that don't label themselves as Christian,...
) - A Revolution TransmissionA Revolution TransmissionA Revolution Transmission is the third album by hardcore band Stretch Arm Strong and their second release on Solid State Records.- Track listing :# Means to an End# Worst Case Scenario# Truth About Iowa# For the Record# Take Back Control...
(2001, Solid State RecordsSolid State RecordsSolid State Records is a Christian record label, a division of Tooth & Nail Records. Unlike Tooth & Nail, Solid State signs hardcore and metal bands. Like Tooth & Nail, Solid State is primarily a Christian label. However, they have signed several bands that don't label themselves as Christian,...
) - EngageEngage (Stretch Arm Strong album)Engage is the fourth album by hardcore band Stretch Arm Strong and their third release on Solid State Records-Track listing:# We Bleed# Raise Your Fist # Rising Again # Miles Apart# Devil Shoots Devil# Black Clouds# Defect...
(2003, Solid State RecordsSolid State RecordsSolid State Records is a Christian record label, a division of Tooth & Nail Records. Unlike Tooth & Nail, Solid State signs hardcore and metal bands. Like Tooth & Nail, Solid State is primarily a Christian label. However, they have signed several bands that don't label themselves as Christian,...
) - Free at LastFree at Last (Stretch Arm Strong album)Free at Last is the fifth album by hardcore band Stretch Arm Strong and their first release on We Put Out Records.- Track listing :# The Hardest Part # Hearts on Fire...
(2005, We Put Out RecordsWe Put Out RecordsWe Put Out Records started as a vehicle for The Syndicate to release music from friends' bands that were without a record label.The Syndicate began as a radio promotion company but soon branched out into street marketing and artist management...
)
Trivia
- Stretch Arm Strong records a cover song with nearly every album recording. These have included "Express Yourself" (NWAN.W.A.N.W.A was an American hip hop group from Compton, California, widely considered one of the seminal acts of the gangsta rap sub-genre....
), "Angels of the Silences" (Counting CrowsCounting CrowsCounting Crows is an American rock band originating from Berkeley, California. Formed in 1991, the group gained popularity following the release of its debut album in 1993, August and Everything After, which featured the hit single "Mr. Jones"...
), "I Melt with YouI Melt With You"I Melt with You" is a song by the British post-punk and New Wave band Modern English. The song, produced by Hugh Jones, was a single from the 1982 album After the Snow, and is about a couple making love as nuclear bombs fall. It reached #7 on Billboard's Top Tracks chart and #78 on the Billboard...
" (Modern EnglishModern English (band)Modern English are an English rock band best remembered for their songs "I Melt with You", "Hands Across the Sea", and "Ink and Paper". The group disbanded for a period in 1991, but later recorded in 1995 and 2002 with new members...
), "Disengage" (Youth Of Today) and "Get the Party StartedGet the Party Started"Get the Party Started" is a song performed by Pink, and was the first single from her second album, Missundaztood . It became an international hit and reached the top ten in many countries. The song was Pink's highest selling at that time...
" (PinkPink (singer)Alecia Beth Moore , better known by her stage name Pink , is an American singer-songwriter, musician and actress....
). They also covered "Busted" by Sick of It AllSick of It AllSick of It All is an American hardcore punk band from Queens, New York. Formed in 1986, the band consisted of brothers Lou Koller on vocals and Pete Koller on lead guitar, Rich Cipriano on bass, and Armand Majidi on drums. There have been only two member changes since their inception, with Max...
on the Our Impact will be FeltOur Impact Will Be FeltOur Impact Will Be Felt is a tribute album by various artists dedicated to Sick of It All, released on May 8, 2007. The album's title is a reference to a line of the song "Built to Last", which appeared on the band's album of the same title....
tribute album.
- Dempsey, McLane and McCarty were all members of Columbia, SC punk band "Strait Up" prior to the incarnation of Stretch Arm Strong.
External links
- Official myspace
- [ Allmusic entry]