Positive hardcore veterans Stretch Arm Strong are back from a long hiatus with an ep filled with all the fire and fury the band is known for and showcased in their recent live appearances.
From what I can see on the internet, Stretch Arm Strong formed way back in 1992 in Columbia, SC, and went on an extended hiatus of sorts in 2008, so there is likely a lot of people who have never been exposed to the band’s brand of energetic, positive old-school hardcore and that’s a shame. Over the years, of course there have been lineup changes, but if we look back to the their first full length Compassion Fills the Void in 1998 on Uprising Records, we can see a stable lineup of Chris McClane on vocals, guitars by David Sease and Scott Dempsey, drums by John Barry and bass from Jeremy Jeffers (though Shawn Williams of Prevail recorded for Compassion). The band’s popularity grew following the release of Rituals of Life on Solid State Records in 1999, which has some of the tracks from Compassion Fills the Void re-recorded and contains some of their most notable material and crowd favorites like the anthemic “Outside Looking In”. The band went on to release two more albums on Solid State, A Revolution Transmission in 2001 and Engage in 2003 with Free At Last coming out in 2005 on We Put Out Records.
My first exposure to Stretch Arm Strong was at Cornerstone Festival in 1998 at the Strongarm farewell show when they introduced Stretch Arm Strong as their friends from South Carolina and let the band rip through a few songs before Strongarm took over. I’m guessing most like me had never heard of the band before but their energy and passion was contagious and I’m sure they more than a few fans in that short set. I can’t remember if I bought Compassion Fills the Void there at the festival or ordered it via snail mail but I still have the cd and it remains one of my favorites. The band has often had labels put on them whether it be “Christian” due to being on Solid State Records or being “Straightedge” but neither of those fit the band as a whole and is not something they’re interested in…
People just always wanted us to be something [but] we’re just a hardcore band, we’re a straight-head hardcore band that tries to go fast, tries to go melodic and change things up a little bit [so as] not be a normal sounding band and for a lot of kids that was very frustrating for them, they wanted us to be one thing or [another] and we never were. So we get a lot of kids that don’t like us because we’re not Christian enough and a lot of kids who do like us because… Chris McClane.
“The Mirror” which opens the ep is a perfect introduction to the band. The short melodic intro lulls you into an expectation of heavy, melodic track but then the song explodes into a fast chugging riff and Chris McClane shouting vocals over the top for the verses. The transitions in the song are perfectly placed, there’s some groove heavy dance sections and a clean guitar interlude that serves as a good time to catch your breath before the band launches into a slower, crunching breakdown like ending. Later in the ep, “Still Believe, Part III” brings in a lot of the same elements adding in some clean vocals and chorus that brings one to envision massive pile-ons in a live setting. Lyrically, the band focuses on themes of brotherhood and perseverance and being a positive force throughout the ep:
It’s time to look deep inside and find reconciliation, It wore us down, the integrity is crumbling, We’re broken down, the foundation’s cracked, but I still believe…in the promise you gave to me and that a brighter future still lies ahead (Still Believe, Part III).
“Illuminating” continues along a similar vein but incorporates some other trademark elements of the band in their songwriting, like sections with just vocals and drums and some great gang vocals and mixes of different band members taking over vocals for some parts. Music remains heavy throughout but has an undeniable brightness, which in some ways reminds me of Sick of It All who manage to have very heavy, fast, aggressive songs that somehow retain an underlying sense of hope and brotherhood.
“Aspirations” gives bassist Jeremy Jeffers a chance to shine on the opening and the guitars of Scott Dempsey and David Sease bring an almost “Welcome to the Jungle” vibe to the opening which works really well in the context of the song. “Take a Stand” appropriately features Lou Koller (Sick of It All) providing some guest vocals and has the feel of a late 80’s hardcore song, sadly it’s the shortest track on the album.
Closing things out is “A Revealing” which begins with some clean guitar and piano which stays around for the early part of the track before a heavy riff takes over and the pounding drums of John Barry come in to drive the song, which features feedback drenched sections, multiple vocalists, a breakdown section, a catchy clean chorus, and quiet piano closing, serving as a perfect ending for the ep.
Needless to say, I was really looking forward to listening to this ep and it has not disappointed. The heaviness, the melodic parts, the driving rhythms, some unexpected elements and the relentless energy of the band in their prime is on full display. For those new to Stretch Arm Strong, this serves as a great introduction and for those who have missed the band and/or old school hardcore, this is one you need to pick up.
Rating: 10/10
Written by John Jackson
Tracklist
- The Mirror
- Illuminating
- Aspirations
- Still Believe, Part III
- Take a Stand (feat. Lou Koller, Sick of It All)
- A Revealing
Band Members
Chris McLane – vocals
David Sease – guitar
John Barry – drums
Scott Dempsey – guitar
Jeremy Jeffers – bass
Release Date: May 10th. 2024
Record Label: Iodine Recordings
Social Media: Instagram / Spotify
Video (audio) for Illuminating
Video for “Outside Looking In” Live in 2022: