When this band debuted their first album back in 2013, they made some serious waves. It captured the attention of The Who’s Roger Daltrey, The Foo Fighters’ Dave Grohl, and Elton John, who all publicly proclaimed their fandom. Since their 2013 release of Snapshot, the band also released a sophomore album, Little Victories, in 2015. Both albums did very will on charts in the UK.
The most incredible part of all this is that the band members hadn’t even turned 18 at the time of their first album release. The members, Ross Farrelly on vocals, Josh McClorey on lead guitar, Peter O’Hanlon on bass guitar, and Evan Walsh on drums, formed the group in 2011 in the town of Cavan Ireland. The four met at school and played their first show at a school Christmas party. After later appearing on an Irish late night talk show, they released a self-produced EP titledYoung Gifted & Blue, that earned them some recognition. That EP did not contain any original songs, but it did earn them the ear of Elton John, who signed them to his group, Rocket Music Management.
Then, the group began work on their first album, Snapshot, and landed a huge hit. It reached number 5 on UK charts and number 2 on charts in Ireland. What about this group caught the attention and admiration of so many legendary musicians? If you listen, you’ll immediately know. The Strypes bring a hard-hitting 60’s R&B sound to the modern era and it works beautifully. Driving drum and bass rhythms, riffing guitar solos, and screaming harmonica sections will force any listener onto his or her feet. No one expected a couple of young kids from Ireland to bring old-school rock ’n roll back to the forefront of music, but this group of Irish musicians did just that.
Snapshot consists of 12 original songs, all of which are very strong displays of the band’s talent. They released “Blue Collar Jane,” “Mystery Man,” and “What a Shame,” as singles off the album. Strong influences from The Beatles, The Who, The Rolling Stones, Chuck Berry, The Yardbirds, and The Ramones can be heard on many of the tracks. They basically channel as many of the greatest rock ’n roll acts to ever exist into their music and hold nothing back. Their latest release, Little Victories, has a similar sound, but the group certainly diverges from traditional R&B, and influences like the Arctic Monkeys draw the band toward a much more modern approach to rock without losing any of their original attitude or energy.
Check out this amazing performance of “What a Shame,” on The Late Show With David Letterman, and watch Letterman’s reaction at the end. That man has seen thousands of bands play on his stage, so his utter exuberance following the Strype’s concluding chord really speaks to their talent.
I have never heard of this group and most of the groups you've spoken of are pretty obscure. I find it very cool that you have such a peculiar taste in music. Aside from that, your thorough explanations make its easy to understand its history before hearing their lyrics which is important to understand in the context of a time period. This was a wonderful post !
ReplyDeleteWow, I can't imagine starting a band and being so successful at that age. I mean seriously, releasing an album before the age of 18? I feel like this is becoming more and more common in music recently, but I am always incredibly impressed. I haven't heard of these guys before, so I'll definitely have to give them a listen!
ReplyDeleteIt's kinda weird how the UK charts and the US charts never really match up. Is it a difference in taste? But it does seem that if a group does well over there, they've got a pretty good shot at America. I'll have to listen to them when I get the chance.
ReplyDeleteI definitely will try out this band, they sound fantastic! I always get disheartened when I hear of people who are younger than me who are so successful, but if they are as good as you say they are, I can't be mad! I've really enjoyed reading your blog over the semester :)
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