American Steel was formed in 1995 in West Oakland. When offered their first… Read Full Bio ↴American Steel was formed in 1995 in West Oakland. When offered their first show, the group took their name from the block-long sign on the warehouse across the street. After playing at parties and smaller venues around the Bay Area for over a year, and undergoing several lineup changes, which resulted in a more serious and tour-ready conglomerate, the band bought a van and embarked on their first tour of the US, lasting 32 days and covering 12,000 miles.

After returning from tour, American Steel went into the studio with engineer Kevin Army (Operation Ivy, Green Day, The Mr. T Experience, etc.) to record their eponymous first album, released on San Francisco's New Disorder Records, home of Half Empty, The Cost, The Enemies, and many others. In 1998, the band appeared on several compilations and toured the country twice, re-visiting some cities from previous tours and playing numerous new ones.

In the spring of 1999, American Steel signed to Lookout! and again went into the studio with Kevin Army to record Rogue's March, released in October 1999. The recording process was intermittent, due to guitarist Ryan's initial diagnosis and early battle with leukemia. Part of the urgent, soul-searching quality of the album came from the band's personal struggle with Ryan's illness, most poignantly captured in their song, "Hope Springs from Somewhere." 2000 saw the band tour relentlessly in both the U.S. and Canada, including appearances at South by Southwest and CMJ. Rogue's March became an underground favorite, topping many fanzine's lists of "Best Record of the Year." By the end of 2000, American Steel was firmly established as one of the most explosive bands in the Bay Area. In addition to their bigger and better than ever local shows, they also received a nomination for "Best Punk Album," along with Rancid, Green Day, No Doubt & Blink 182 in the California Music Awards 2001.

While clearly influenced by the early East Bay sound, American Steel's song structures often owe more to the much older sounds of traditional Motown, folk, and rock than to punk or hardcore. This combination of traditional music and punk rock, of the subtlety of the former with the power of the latter, defines and reconciles the diverse group of songs that make up Jagged Thoughts, American Steel's latest LP. Having fully absorbed their punk influences to make Rogue's March, a new definitive East Bay Punk album, American Steel set forth to start creating an entirely new genre of music. An exciting take on rock and roll equally tempered by punk's hardness, swagger and jangle and melodic pop's irresistible essence, Jagged Thoughts was a masterwork by a band of incredible promise.

In the spring of 2002 the band broke up, only to shortly reform under the name of Communique with the addition of a keyboardist.

The band reformed early in 2007, and have since released the album Destroy Their Future on Fat Wreck Chords.

American Steel toured Europe in October of 2009 supporting All American Rejects and played a one off headline show in Camden, London with Rooftops.

Cheer Up
American Steel Lyrics

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Parading through the streets
this ain't no ordinary beat
I'm on vacation from the east bay
When i think i can leave all the grief it just stays inside me
look on the bright side, cheer up
you & me will fuck shit up
holiday
i know that you're sick of this town

you & me will burn it down
wake up sunday morning to a fresh urine stain and a pool of vomit
that i guess i hope is mine
four hours of sleep cuz of nintendo playing speed freaks
i'm penniless in a different place
but it's the same old scene
holiday
it's okay and i'm okay
everything's going to be all right

i'm looking on the bright side
holiday

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of American Steel's song "Cheer Up" explore the idea of taking a break from the everyday struggles of life and trying to find some semblance of happiness. The singer parades through the streets, acknowledging that the beat is not ordinary. He is on vacation from the East Bay and hopes to leave behind the grief that has been bothering him but finds that it sticks to him.

Despite this, the singer encourages himself and his listeners to look on the bright side and cheer up. He exclaims that the two of them can "fuck shit up" and burn down their town. Despite waking up on Sunday mornings to find fresh urine stains and pools of vomit because of all the partying, the singer seems to be okay with it all. He acknowledges that they are penniless and in a different place, but it's the same old scene.

Overall, the song is about finding positivity and happiness in the midst of difficulties. It's about going away and letting loose, but ultimately still feeling the weight of your problems. Despite this, the singer encourages the listener to embrace the moment, look on the bright side, and eventually, everything will be alright.

Line by Line Meaning

Parading through the streets
We are proudly walking in the streets

this ain't no ordinary beat
This isn't just any regular rhythm

I'm on vacation from the east bay
I'm taking a break from my town in the east bay

When i think i can leave all the grief it just stays inside me
I feel like I can escape from problems, but they still linger

look on the bright side, cheer up
Take an optimistic approach and feel better

you & me will fuck shit up
You and I will create some serious chaos

holiday
A period of rest and fun

i know that you're sick of this town
I understand that you're tired of this place

you & me will burn it down
Together, we will destroy everything here

wake up sunday morning to a fresh urine stain and a pool of vomit
I woke up to a mess of urine and vomit

that i guess i hope is mine
I hope the mess is mine, but I'm not sure