The Strypes

[Smackie Chan]

The Mt. Rushmore thread poptart posted urges us to look back on where R&R has been, which isn't surprising since there doesn't appear to be a lot to look forward to in today's music world. But there are a few bright spots out there that offer hope for the future, the shiniest of which is a band of teenagers out of Cavan, Ireland, that plays good ol' blues-based guitar oriented rock & roll. No one will ever mistake these guys for Bob Dylan.

I first heard of this band a year or so ago on Little Steven's Underground Garage, when they had the week's Coolest Song in the World, a cover of Lieber & Stoller's "I'm a Hog for You Baby." The song immediately grabbed me, so I looked up more from them, and loved everything I heard. These guys are the real deal, and if you don't like what they play, you simply don't like rock & roll. I've played their music almost every week in TuneTown since first hearing them, so those who stop in have likely heard their music and have endured my incessant extolling of their virtues. Their only full-length CD is 2013's Snapshot, and they have an EP called 4 Track Mind as well. I may not know much about music, but I know what I like, and these kids top my list these days, so I consider it my duty & obligation to share them with you.

Ladies & gentlemen, these are The Strypes!

[smackaholic]

What sucks is that good new rock and roll doesn't get mainstream radio play.

Those kids kick ass. And the drummer even knows how to hold the sticks right. That is generally a sign of a someone that takes that shit serious.

[Smackie Chan]

the drummer even knows how to hold the sticks right. That is generally a sign of a someone that takes that shit serious.

During the interview at the end of the clip, he said he's been playing drums since he was three. It shows.

[Wolfman]

One reason to have satellite radio and listen to Steve VanZandt's show on channel 21. Great mix of older and newer stuff. Cool DJ's too. And Steve's musings are a good listen too.

[smackaholic]

I'm about 4 tunes into that clip. That fukker is scary good on the drums. Love the way he does shit you wouldn't expect, does some cool time changes and makes good use of the floor tom. And dude doesn't have a 49 piece kit. If a 4 piece kit was good enough for buddy rich and joe morello, it is good enough for anyone.

Maybe rock isn't dead.

[smackaholic]

And love the sound of that old school gretsch.

[Smackie Chan]

That fukker is scary good on the drums.

The guitarist can play a little, too. The frontman (if he's old enough to be called that) has presence, a voice, and wails on the harp as well. Letterman seems to dig 'em...

[smackaholic]

They are all monster musicians and they got that part bluesman/part punk attitude thing down pat.

You ain't heard the last of these kids.

[smackaholic]

g0d damn you dave, you have me sitting here listening to these punks when I should be doing something productive! :x

I see they've done a handful of covers. Do they have any LZ in their repertwat?

What I really like about their covers is that they put their own stamp on it without fukking it up. Not an easy thing to do.