The Strypes

It seems difficult to not jump on the bandwagon with the rhythm and blues four-piece hailing from Cavan, Ireland. Formed in 2011, Josh McClorey (lead guitar, vocals), Ross Farrelly (lead vocals, harmonica), Pete O'Hanlon (Bass, Harmonica) and Evan Walsh (Drums) quickly formed a name for themselves for their blues driven bass, edgy guitars and raw vocals, with their 4 track EP "Young Gifted and Blue" released back in April 2012. After a video was released for their cover of Slim Harpo's "Got Love If You Want It" to raving reviews and teenagers everywhere longing to be as cool as them, it went straight to no.1 on the iTunes Blue's chart; allowing the likes of high esteemed rock royalty Paul Weller and Noel Gallagher to call themselves fans.

Their live sets will rip through your ear drums and cause you to fall in love with them, their suits, or their music (NB: all three apply to me). What makes their live shows so good is the banter between the four; giving the impression that these boys are the leaders of bringing good old fashioned rock n roll back to life - you can either don your patterned socks and Chelsea boots or be left behind with everyone laughing at what a terrible music taste you must possess.

After releasing three singles "Blue Collar Jane", "Hometown Girls" and 'What A Shame' from their debut 'Snapshot' earlier this year, they have received high acclaim from critics and fans (new and old) everywhere. A proposed snapshot of their live set, the album encompasses their covers and own original songs, beginning with "Mystery Man" complete with a Bowie-esque 'Low' intro that leaves you begging for more. Later on, the gallivanting riffs of their cover of Bo Diddley's "You Can't Judge A Book By The Cover" provides bountiful raw guitars and strong vocals delivered by Farrelly. The closer "Rollin' And Tumblin'' is a blues classic that Muddy Waters made popular on his 1969 album "After The Rain"; where The Strypes efficiently weave in their own arrangement dripping with almost primitive stomp and sway.

There shouldn't have to be a question of whether or not their love for Dr. Feelgood and Rockpile is appropriate for their age; classics are classics and it's nice to see that a 'young' band are bringing pioneers of pub rock and rock n roll to the young masses, who want something more than indie boys rarely looking twice at their audience. Most annoyingly, their fame is quite often discussed in terms of how young they are. For example "They're so young - I can't believe how popular they are!" (NB: They are not bloody 10 years old.... Add roughly 6 to that number for a mean average of all the members). This idea is confusing in itself, considering the most easily musically-swayed members of the population are teenagers. Rad teenagers playing music to other, less rad teenagers is surely a brilliant thing in a music scene dominated by 20 and 30 -somethings. Furthermore, it should be celebrated that young lads are doing well. The Strypes are doing well for a reason - because they are rather fantastic.

Written by Paige x x x
(follow me on twitter @mgmtlovesme for that added touch of class)