Punknews.org is proud to exclusively bring you the news that critically acclaimed melodic hardcore outfit Strike Anywhere has signed to Bridge Nine Records for their forthcoming album. Bridge Nine founder Chris Wrenn commented:

We're really excited about working with such an established and hard working band as Strike Anywhere. I've wanted to work with these guys for a long time, I have been a fan since their first EP and look forward to helping them continue to spread their music and message

Strike Anywhere's Thomas Barnett added:

Bridge Nine has a cool combination of hardcore roots and culture, a love for the life and message. We felt immediately connected to it and understood upon talking with Chris and Karl. They get what we've been doing for the past nearly ten years, and seek to collaborate with us from a place of honesty: old roots, new friendship. The Bridge Nine commitment to the original platforms of hardcore and punk culture while trying to push it forward globally with creative ideas and unity feels like a perfect fit for us. We feel it's important to note that we have nothing but love and good feelings for Fat Wreck Chords. Our four years with that label were great times and a singular experience, so we go forward with their blessing and good will. For us, we just wanted to try something different and give this record a new home, new vision.

Strike Anywhere will be in the studio beginning next week with renowned producer Brian McTernan to record Iron Front. Thomas also commented on the new material:

there will be more of an expansion into both the melodic and heavier fast punk that are the foundations of our sound. Songs both global and personal, addressing topics such as borders, immigration, human rights, war, and the work left to be done in a Post-Bush America that still reveres corporate power and international empire. We have a few songs that deal further with issues of the earth, civilization and consciousness, punk songs about the apocalypse, and more events close to home inspiring a song about the limits of safety for the world outside of the gated suburbs, gun culture sickness, and police brutality.

There is a song about grief and memory, art and immortality. We also have the happiest, party-while-you-protest song we have ever written. The sound of the record may be a bit heavier and more noisy, a part of our darker, less optimistic side than say the folk influences and street punk jangle of Dead FM. We have mad love for that record though, it's just time for the Iron Front and a return to roots and physicality.

Following their studio time, Strike Anywhere will head out across the US and Canada with Propagandhi throughout June, and the band will announce a special Fall tour in the coming months. Expect Strike Anywhere's upcoming Bridge Nine full-length to hit stores in September of 2009.