SONG OF THE WEEK: 1-25-2026

SONG:  "Got A Backbeat"

ARTIST:  American Steel

ALBUM:  "Rogue's March"

YEAR:  1999

PLACE OF ORIGIN:  Oakland, California

YEARS ACTIVE:  1995 - present

WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

"Got A Backbeat" by American Steel, from their 1999 album "Rogue's March", is a song that resonates with themes of working-class struggle, emotional resilience, and the search for meaning amidst hardship.

AMERICAN STEEL DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

1998 - American Steel (New Disorder Records)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

1999 - Rogue's March (Lookout! Records)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

2001 - Jagged Thoughts (Lookout! Records)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

2007 - Destroy Their Future (Fat Wreck Chords)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

2009 - Dear Friends And Gentle Hearts (Fat Wreck Chords)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

MY THOUGHTS ON AMERICAN STEEL:

American Steel formed as a band back in 1995, hailing from Oakland, California. Getting their start in what was pretty much a hotbed of sorts for punk rock as bands like Green Day and Rancid were also from the same general area. The band released their debut album in 1998, titled "American Steel". That album helped garner them a deal with Lookout! Records who would go on to release the band's 1999 album, "Rogue's March" and their 2001 album "Jagged Thoughts". In 2002, the band would change their style, as well as their band name, to Communique. This lasted a few years till finally in 2007, the band returned to their punk rock roots and went back to being called American Steel. That year would also be the year that the band signed a deal with legendary punk label Fat Wreck Chords. Under Fat, the band released 2007's "Destroy Their Future" and 2009's "Dear Friends And Gentle Hearts", which would be the band's last full length album released to date. The band's most recent release was the single "State Of Grace" in 2018. American Steel is what I like to call a "gruffy" punk band! I think that's my own created genre but think bands like Hot Water Music or Reach The Sky. Bands which feature, not screaming vocals, but "gravelly", another term I think I made up! American Steel is pretty much an underground band. Maybe if they came out one or two years earlier, they would have maybe caught that initial wave of the mid-90's punk revival. As such, they were never one of the punk bands to stand out in the crowd, but they had their spot within the crowd. But if you are into bands like The Lawrence Arms or Dillinger Four, you'd most likely like the music of American Steel. 

SIMILAR ARTISTS:

The Lawrence Arms

None More Black

Dead To Me

Dillinger Four

The Falcon

TEN AMERICAN STEEL SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Maria

2. Mean Streak

3. Got A Backbeat

4. State Of Grace

5. Hurtlin'

6. Shrapnel

7. Every New Morning

8. Should Have Died Young (Playing Rock And Roll)

9. Middle Of The Night

10. Your Ass Ain't Laughing Now

SONG OF THE WEEK: 1-18-2026

SONG:  "Hearts On Fire"

ARTIST:  Stretch Arm Strong

ALBUM:  "Free At Last"

YEAR:  2005

PLACE OF ORIGIN:  Columbia, South Carolina

YEARS ACTIVE:  1992 - Present

WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

The song "Hearts On Fire" by Stretch Arm Strong, from their 2001 album "Engage", is a complex and multifaceted piece that delves into themes of disillusionment, the struggle for authenticity, and the enduring power of hope amidst adversity.

STRETCH ARM STRONG DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

1998 - Compassion Fills The Void (Uprising Records)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

1999 - Rituals Of Life (Solid State Records)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

2001 - A Revolution Transmission (Solid State Records)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

2003 - Engage (Solid State Records)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

2005 - Free At Last (We Put Out Records)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

MY THOUGHTS ON STRETCH ARM STRONG:

Stretch Arm Strong is a South Carolina band that got it's start back in 1992. After some years of getting their line-up in order, they finally dropped their debut full length album in 1998, titled "Compassion Fills The Void". In 1999, the band would sign a deal with Solid State Records and released three full lengths with that label, 1999's "Rituals Of Life", 2001's "A Revolution Transmission" and 2003's "Engage". In 2005, the band dropped "Free At Last" which features perhaps their most successful song, "The Sound Of Names Dropping". Stretch Arm Strong became basically inactive around 2005/2006 at this point. They got together for a few live shows in 2009 and 2011 but not much else. In 2021, the band officially reunited embarking on a tour and in 2024, they released an EP titled "The Revealing". Stretch Arm Strong would be considered a hardcore punk/melodic punk type of band. Definitely an under the radar band back in the day. The were very active from 1998 to 2005 but like I said earlier, they went on a hiatus till their reunion in 2021. I'm pretty sure I got into these guys after hearing "The Sound Of Names Dropping" or "Faces". I know it was one of those songs. I wouldn't consider them the top of the pack when it comes to their style but they are a very solid band and I'm glad to see they're back at it making new music. Hopefully they drop a new full length soon.

SIMILAR ARTISTS:

As Friends Rust

With Honor

H2O

Slick Shoes

Strike Anywhere

TEN STRETCH ARM STRONG SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. The Sound Of Names Dropping

2. Faces

3. For The Record

4. Second Chances

5. The Hardest Part

6. Melt With You (Modern English cover)

7. For Now

8. Means To An End

9. We Bleed200

10. Still Believe, Part III

SONG OF THE WEEK: 1-11-2026

SONG:  "Wicked Game" (Chris Isaak cover)

ARTIST:  Stone Sour

ALBUM:  "Come What(ever) May" (Special Edition)

YEAR:  2006

PLACE OF ORIGIN:  Des Moines, Iowa

YEARS ACTIVE:  1992 - 2020

WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

The Stone Sour song "Wicked Game" is a cover of the original song by Chris Isaak. The original "Wicked Game" was written by Chris Isaak for his 1989 album "Heart Shaped World". Isaak has stated that the song was inspired by a late-night phone call from a woman suggesting a casual sexual encounter, and it explores the strong attraction one can feel towards individuals who may not be beneficial for them. The song is often interpreted as a ballad about unrequited love, but Isaak's personal account reveals a deeper theme of irresistible, potentially problematic desire.

STONE SOUR DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

2002 - Stone Sour (Roadrunner Records)

* Peaked at #46 on the Billboard 200

* Certified Gold

2006 - Come What(ever) May (Roadrunner Records)

* Peaked at #4 on the Billboard 200

* Certified Platinum

2007 - Live In Moscow (Roadrunner Records)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

2010 - Audio Secrecy (Roadrunner Records)

* Peaked at #6 on the Billboard 200

2012 - House Of Gold & Bones Part 1 (Roadrunner Records)

* Peaked at #7 on the Billboard 200

2013 - House Of Gold & Bones Part 2 (Roadrunner Records)

* Peaked at #10 on the Billboard 200

2017 - Hydrograd (Roadrunner Records)

* Peaked at #8 on the Billboard 200

2019 - Hello, You Bastards:  Live In Reno (Cooking Vinyl Records)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

MY THOUGHTS ON STONE SOUR:

Stone Sour is a Des Moines, Iowa band that got it's start back in 1992. For the first 5 years as a band, they recorded several demos but disbanded in 1997, mostly due to lead singer Corey Taylor's involvement with another upstart band called Slipknot. In 2000, Stone Sour reformed and in 2002, they released their stellar debut album "Stone Sour". This album was nominated for a few Grammy's and their single "Bother" is just a killer song! The band followed their self-titled album with a hugely successful sophomore effort, 2006's "Come What(ever) May". This was the band's highest charting album, peaking at #4 on the Billboard 200 charts and thanks in part to the hit single "Through Glass", this album has gone on to be certified Platinum. 2010 saw the band drop "Audio Secrecy". In 2012 and 2013 respectively, Stone Sour released a 2 part concept album called "House Of Gold & Bones" Parts 1 and 2. I guess there was also a novel that coincided with the release of these albums. The band's most recent full length album would be 2017's "Hydrograd". The band also put out some cover song EP's and a few live albums. In 2020, Corey Taylor basically said it was time to put Stone Sour on the shelf for a while and announced an indefinite hiatus. Taylor still keeps himself very busy with Slipknot and his solo career as well. Stone Sour is sort of like a post-grunge, alternative metal type of band. Unlike Corey Taylor's other band Slipknot, who is much more of a metal outfit, Stone Sour seems to be more influenced by grunge bands. There's hard rock, there's metal and there's some acoustic stuff too. I was never really a big fan of Slipknot but Stone Sour is right in my wheelhouse because I am such a fan of bands like Alice In Chains and Soundgarden. Corey Taylor is a great vocalist as well. I think Stone Sour and his solo stuff makes his voice shine more as Slipknot features lots of screaming vocals and such. When I heard "Bother" in 2002, Stone Sour had me. "Zzyzx Rd." is another epic song from their "Come What(ever) May" album. I love that f'n song! Hopefully these guys come back off hiatus but I don't know. I'm sure Corey plays a lot of Stone Sour material at his solo shows so, I guess we'll have to see. Great band, great vocalist!

SIMILAR ARTISTS:

Godsmack

Seether

Staind

Drowning Pool

Saint Asonia

TEN STONE SOUR SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Bother

2. Zzyzx Rd.

3. Song #3

4. Get Inside

5. Through Glass

6. Do Me A Favor

7. Inhale

8. Unchained (Van Halen cover)

9. Absolute Zero

10. Say You'll Haunt Me

SONG OF THE WEEK: 1-4-2026

SONG:  "Cheers To Another One"

ARTIST:  Rory

ALBUM:  "We're Up To No Good, We're Up To No Good"

YEAR:  2006

PLACE OF ORIGIN:  Altamonte Springs, Florida

YEARS ACTIVE:  1998 - 2007

WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

"Cheers To Another One"'s meaning centers on themes of emotional numbness and the repetitive, almost medicinal nature of modern social or romantic interactions.

RORY DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

2006 - We're Up To No Good, We're Up To No Good (One Eleven Records)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

MY THOUGHTS ON RORY:

Rory is a Florida band that got it's start back in 1998. Not a lot of news out there on these guys. Their first release was an EP called "Always Right As In We Are", which dropped in 2004. Their first and only full length album was released in 2006, titled "We're Up To No Good, We're Up To No Good". This album was co-produced by Mark Hoppus of Blink 182. The band's only single that I know of came from this album, a song called "Deja Vroomier". The band broke up in 2007 with some members popping up in other projects but nothing major. Rory is a pop punk band. I definitely heard these guys around 2006. As I said in other "Song Of The Week" blogs, right around that time I called my "Taking Back Sunday" phase! I was really listening to a lot of pop punk/melodic rock type of bands at that time. Rory's one full length album isn't bad. It's a decent album. The band just never distinguished themselves amongst the top tier bands of that genre. Really, with only one album and one EP, it's kinda hard to leave a mark. 

SIMILAR ARTISTS:

Armor For Sleep

The Academy Is...

The Early November

Taking Back Sunday

Acceptance

TEN RORY SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Deja Vroomier

2. The State Of Now

3. Cheers To Another One

4. This Could Have Been A Dance Revolution, But Now

5. Typical

6. Doing Lines Of Conga

7. Everybody Stabbed me And It Didn't Even Hurt

8. Deja Vroom

9. Conversations With Strangers

10. Nice Planet, We'll Take It