02 October 2015 (gig)
03 October 2015
Queuing outside Camden’s KOKO I started to question if I was at the wrong venue. The variety of people from old punk rockers to young females, it was a diverse audience to say the least. Since day one the Irish rockers The Strypes have had loyal devoted fans, which was obvious from the minute the young lads stepped foot on stage. From crowd surfing to having everyone sitting on the floor, The Strypes had their audience in the palms of their hands.
An early start of 7:30pm for support act The Might Stef meant they were performing to a rather pitiful crowd but they still gave it their all. Pogoing from the pocket-sized bass player, hair flicking and mic stand kicking from lead singer Stephan Murphy and an impassive lead guitar player made quite a jumble sale of people. Although the Dublin lads seemed to be a random fit, they played with such passion and emotion that they had the small crowd bobbing their heads and tapping their toes. I don’t feel they had a good enough sound check as the guitar and bass were deafening at points that made many songs have a distorted sound. Finishing their set with Murphy chucking and attempting to catch his guitar, that he most probably couldn't afford to get fixed, was cringe worthy but I loved their rock ’n’ roll efforts.
The Strypes on the other hand strolled on stage looking like such rockers with pride written all over their smiling faces. Dressed to kill with lead singer Ross Farrelly wearing a black suit, the drummer looking as though he’d just come out of the womb wearing sun glasses indoors (edgy I know) and bassist Peter O’Hanson owning a corduroy maroon jacket. The only odd one out was lead guitars Josh McClorey wearing the band’s own ‘scumbag city blues’ t-shirt and baseball cap backwards. The odd look of the band somehow works so strangely but perfectly.
Musically the band were flawless, sounding almost exactly the same as their album recordings. Bass player O’Hanson displayed his talents with such humbleness but confidence as he stood stage right trying to not steal the lime light from lead singer Farrelly but failing drastically as my eyes were stuck on him. Farrelly’s voice is undoubtably unique with a bluesy but gritty sound to it. He occasionally appeared awkward, standing behind his mic not knowing what to do with hands but as soon as his harmonica solos began he held himself with such confidence that I questioned whether he is really only 18.
The night consisted of a range of tunes from their debut album ‘Snapshot’ and new 2015 album ‘Little Victories’. Their clear 60s blues boom and 70s rock band influences in explosive tracks such as ‘What A Shame’. They performed with such energy and charisma that the night flew by in what felt like a matter of minutes. The moshing grew more and more extreme as their newer heavier songs were played such as ‘Three Streets And A Village Green’ and ‘Now She’s Gone’. By the end of the night everyone was blanketed in sweat and bruises, leaving absolutely exhausted.
In true rock n’ roll style the lads sauntered back on for a 3 song encore. Half way through their first song they stopped to help a young girl who was being forced into the barriers by the mental crowds and brought her up on stage. Their true humbleness and gratitude shone through still whilst staying rock ’n’ roll. They brought the night to a close with their singalong cover hit ‘You Can’t Judge A Book By The Cover’, forcing the whole crowd to jump and sing long.
At the ages of 18 to 20 the band have still got many years to come and I couldn’t be more excited to see them develop even more. With a hoards of fans, incredible lyrical and musical skills and a stylish look The Strypes are only going to get bigger and bigger. I’m not ashamed to say I was not expecting such a mad exuberant night but now I know I will be returning for more.
