Rustbelt Rock Review

By: Z.M. Delgado

Rustbeltrockreview.com

Volume #198: Strung Out, Death By Stereo, Vandalizard & Sketchball

July 14th 2025

No Class 11213 Detroit Ave, Cleveland, OH 44102

Good morning, Rustbelt Rockers. It is I, Z.M. Delgado, returning to you once again with fresh tales to tell. This week I checked out a show over at No Class featuring some out of town talent and some excellent local support. Topping off the bill was Strung Out with openers Death By Stereo, Vandalizard and Sketchball. My afternoon began when Joha scooped me up. Along with him was Noah (Guitar/Vandalizard) and together we rode the highways west. We arrived on the Scene around 5pm, shortly after doors opened. There we met up with the rest of the Vandalizard crew and began to drift about the club. Shortly thereafter we met up with Roxxxstarradio’s The Dook and we headed to the back patio for a doobie. Now blazed up significantly, we returned to the club and settled in. This show had been under a low ticket warning for a few days now, so we expected a loaded house. I was happy to see there was already a nice crowd in place, even this early. Shoulder to shoulder with our fellow Rockers, we sidled up to the stage.

First up was Youngstown’s Sketchball. This was a four man outfit made up of Vocals, Guitar, Bass and Drums. I would put them somewhere in the vicinity of Beatdown Hardcore. They opened up very heavy. With powerful Drums and furious Vocals they took the stage with force. The music had a stomping cadence and there was a distinctive street vibe to their style. They had nice Bass work and some cool riffs, but the meat of their sound was pure unadulterated aggression. I dug their no holds barred attitude as they brought their sounds to the stage pure and undiluted. They threw the fuck down on songs like “Waste of Time, Waste of Life” and “I.C.E.” serving straight up nastiness. They had balls and thunder in every song and the crowd ate it up every little bit. The fans cheered in approval as the rolled through their six song set like a runaway tank. Without a doubt Sketchball kicked things off with a serious bang.

Second to the stage was Vandalizard. This is a Punk quartet formed from Guitar/Vocals, Guitar, Bass and Drums. They launched into their set with immediate energy, sending out a jaunty, fun riff. Their Vocals were rough and gravelly and backed up with a healthy dose of “Whoas!” The Drums produced some excellent starts and stops and I was thoroughly impressed by the speed and precision. The versatility of the Bass work was amazing as Vern, the legendary “Swamp Donkey,” tore up the frets. On “Bad Influence” their wicked Ska Riffs set the crowd one fire. This had the girls from Sabon tearing up the dance floor down in front of the stage. They tore the roof off the venue with their high energy, passionate “fuck I.C.E. song,” “On The Tracks.” I was also stoked to see their southwestern ballad “Coyote’s Teeth;” a bitchin’ number that really flexes the bands song writing skills. Running through the set at break neck speed, they produced a total of ten songs in their allotted time. The fans loved it; every minute. There was a raucous cheer at the end of each song and an absolute uproar when they finished up. Vandalizard had once again proved why they have become one of the most talked about bands in our Punk Scene.

Eric Stevenson: The Official Tattoo Artist of the Rustbelt Rock Review

Third on the docket was Death by Stereo. This is a five man hardcore band built from Vocals, Drums, two Guitars and Bass. The dedicated their first song to Donald Trump, and said it was entitled “I Think About Killing You Every Fucking Day.” This track was brutal as fuck. It had an explosive opening and a Vocal delivery the was nothing short of intense. With a mix of cleans and snarling shouts, the lyrics were presented with fervor. They had amazing stage presence, headbanging, Rocking out and getting in the faces of the fans continuously. The crowd was moving immediately; Headbanging, Hand clapping and Dancing. By their third song a Pit had opened up as bodies stalked the floor, circled and collided. The singer beguiled us with an amusing anecdote about smoking weed with a member of Refused, before jumping back into the set like a man possessed. As a precursor to their sixth song the frontman delivered an impassioned speech about the state of things in California. He talked about the fear, the abuses and the ongoing fight for human rights that is playing out in the face of the I.C.E. raids. It was a powerful moment. The crowd ate it up, screaming in support. He closed his speech with the words: “Whether it’s a brick to a window, or a brick to a face… STAND UP!” They then jumped back into another bout of sickeningly furious Hardcore.

Death By Stereo feat. Eric of Voodoo Glow Skulls

On their seventh track we got a real treat, when Death By Stereo was joined by Eric, the Sax player from Voodoo Glow Skulls. He threw down hard; rocking out, singing back up and playing his notes flawlessly. The crowd lost it’s shit. The singer left the stage and began engaging with the crowd directly. He tested the limits of his mic chord, pulling it to the furthest extent of it’s length as he climbed the benched and tried to enter the bar area next to the club. The fans were off their feet at this point, as Death By Stereo conducted an absolute rampage of Hardcore. On the final song of the set the Guitarists also jumped into the crowd and together they started a circle pit, all while kicking out crashing chords. It was amazing! The crowd flipped out! They screamed; I mean they absolutely howled! Death By Stereo had done nothing short of absolutely kill it. They crushed. They slaughtered. It was the kind of set that we live to see and we rarely forget. It was just that good.

Finally closing out the evening was Strung Out. This is a five man Punk band made up of Vocals, two Guitars, Bass and Drums. The band was celebrating it’s 35th anniversary by performing their album “Exile In Oblivion” in it’s entirety. They began with an intro tape, that sent the crowd into hysterics immediately. What followed was an eruption of slamming fast Punk Rock. They had clean vocals with a lot of Gang Vox in support. With ripping speed they tore into the set, one track after another without pause. The Moshing appeared early and was a nearly continuous affair. The fans ate it up, note by note, as Strung out tore through their beloved classic material. With voices raised they sang along word for word, in a great chorus. It was around the fifth song when the vocalist started complaining about the sound and the club. It seemed as if the fans were having a great time, and from my perspective the music sounded fine. Yet, he seemed to think there was some kind of issue. He made a number of comments about the venue and the sound that I found… mildly insulting, to say the least. But whatever, I suppose he’s entitled to his opinion. Despite this, the set was going well, and the fans were LOSING IT. The moshing continued and an occasional crowd surfer began to appear as well.

The set really hit a high point when Sophia from Cleveland’s own Sabon joined Strung Out on stage to perform guest Vocals on “Swan Dive.” People screamed “Sabon! Sabon!” as she climbed up out of the crowd. With incredible stage presence and her signature voice she rocked out, threw down and utterly stole the show. Exiting the stage with a Stage Dive, Sophia left like an absolute boss. As a Cleveland Rocker who had watched Sabon’s ascension I have to say, this was a big moment, and I am glad I was there to see it. The crowd chanted her name, until Strung Out began the next song and launched back into the set tearing through it to it’s eventual conclusion. Playing a total of seventeen songs Strung Out rocked No Class and left the kids fully satiated. I sifted through the crowd and found Joha and we made out way out into the night. We walked to the car and headed east.

Damn! What a good show. Sketchball was awesome. They tore up the set, launched the show and impressed me considering, IT WAS THEIR FIRST GIG!!! Vandalizard killed it. They delivered a diverse sound with some excellent songwriting. Death By Stereo absolutely killed it. They were intense, powerful and passionate. I am very glad I was fortunate enough to witness their set. Finally Strung Out closed out the show and held the crowd in the palms of their hands while they did so. With heart and soul they led the kids on a great sing along that they all seemed to get absolutely lost in. So there you have it. Another night, another gig and here it is… another article. I have performed my task and done my duty. I suppose I shall leave you for this week. Bang you heads, hoist your horns and always wear you earplugs.

Until next time, Rock on, Rustbelt,

-Z.M.Delgado

Rustbelt Rock Review

Rustbeltrockreview.com

7/15/2025

Links:

Strung Out

https://www.strungoutofficial.com/

Death by Stereo

https://www.facebook.com/deathbystereo/

Vandalizard

https://www.facebook.com/p/Vandalizard-100092590599377/

Sketchball

https://sketchball.bandcamp.com/album/demo-2025

Vol #198: Strung Out, Death By Stereo, Vandalizard & Sketchball

Vol #195: Olathia, Stygian Crown & Iron Bitch