American Steel
American Steel is a punk rock band hailing from Oakland, California, formed in 1995. The band derived their name from a massive sign on a warehouse near their rehearsal space, taking inspiration from the industrial backdrop of their hometown. After a period of local gigs and lineup changes, they hit the road for their first U.S. tour, covering 12,000 miles in 32 days, which laid the groundwork for their future success.
Upon returning from tour, American Steel recorded their debut self-titled album, released on San Francisco’s New Disorder Records. This marked the beginning of their rise within the punk rock scene. By 1999, they had signed with Lookout! Records and released their second album, Rogue’s March. Despite the challenging circumstances surrounding guitarist Ryan Massey’s leukemia diagnosis, the band continued to work through the recording process. Their third album, Jagged Thoughts, followed in 2001, further solidifying their place in the punk community.
In 2002, American Steel shifted gears, changing both their name and sound to become Communiqué, a project that explored a different musical direction. However, by 2007, the band had reunited under their original name and signed with Fat Wreck Chords. They released Destroy Their Future on October 2, 2007, marking their return to their punk rock roots. The band supported the album with tours alongside Alkaline Trio in the U.S. and Donots in Europe. In 2009, American Steel released their follow-up album, Dear Friends and Gentle Hearts, continuing their legacy within the punk scene.
Members
- Rory Henderson – Vocals, Guitar
- Ryan Massey – Guitar, Vocals
- John Peck – Bass, Vocals
- Scott Healy – Drums
Discography
7-inch Singles and EPs
- Hope Wanted (1996)
- Every New Morning (Cheetah Records, 1998)
- “Fat Club” 7″ (Fat Wreck Chords, 2000)
- “State of Grace” 7″ (Fat Wreck Chords, 2019)
Albums
- American Steel (New Disorder, 1998)
- Rogue’s March (Lookout!, 1999)
- Jagged Thoughts (Lookout, 2001)
- Destroy Their Future (Fat Wreck, 2007)
- Dear Friends and Gentle Hearts (Fat Wreck, 2009)
