Agents of the Underground

Since their formation in 1992, veteran Southern California punkers Strung Out have been leading the charge in the explosive resurgence of pop-punk. So much so that their distinctive mix of vocal melodicism and technical metal-influenced guitar chops has virtually become the house style of the Vans-sponsored WARPED TOUR, the punk rock, BMX, and skateboarding bonanza in which Strung Out have shared bills with the likes of Anti-Flag, NOFX, Bad Religion, and others. AGENTS OF THE UNDERGROUND, the band's 2009 effort, does little to tamper with the formula. Focused on propulsive, energetic performances centered on Jason Cruz's passionate vocal delivery, drummer Jordan Burn's hard-hitting attack, and guitarists Rob Ramos and Jake Kiley's traded, technical riffage, AGENTS OF THE UNDERGROUND shows the old-timers still have plenty of fire and passion to keep up with the youngsters.