Stretch Armstrong (ska band)

Stretch Armstrong
Background information
Origin	Provo, Utah U.S.
Genres	Ska punk two-tone Circus music Swing revival
Years active	1990–1997
Past members	Scott Van Wagenen Gordon Cobb Chris Thomas Kyle McBride Paul Browning Hyrum Robb Enger Steve Ricks Amie Cobabe Cobb Chris Brady Darren Hutchison Deidre Rodman Struck Curtis McKendrick Dave Thomas Joe Freeman Rachelle Powell Lamont Lee Mike South Dan Nelson Ryan Ridges Brian Rowley Sterling Acomb

Stretch Armstrong was a popular third-wave ska band from Provo, Utah. Formed in 1990, Scott Van Wagenen, the lead singer, was the main constant in the band's initially oft-changing lineup. By 1994, the lineup had settled on Darren Hutchison (bass), Dave Thomas (drums), Mike South (guitar), Dan Nelson (sax), Ryan Ridges (keyboard), Brian Rowley (sax), and Sterling Acomb (sax). Their ska music included elements of punk, jazz, and circus music. Their concerts were full of energetic dancing and moshing.

Riding on the coattails of Swim Herschel Swim's success in the Provo ska scene, Stretch Armstrong opened for national bands soon after their formation: Skankin' Pickle, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, The Special Beat, and the Crazy 8s. In 1993, they released Old School and opened for Buck-O-Nine and Bad Manners. They released an album in each subsequent year: Lollygag (1994), The Lesser of the Two Weevils EP (1995), and Armstrong (1996). Combined, their four albums sold over 20,000 copies. In later years, they played in concerts with national acts like Skankin' Pickle, Let's Go Bowling, The Aquabats, Black Uhuru, and Cake. They opened for Fishbone and No Doubt in 1995. Brandon Smith, director of the documentary on Utah ska called The Up Beat, said that the band was a scene leader following Swim Herschel Swim's breakup. Stretch Armstrong broke up in 1997.