Friday 9 August 2013

Having a Rave Up with The Strypes

courtesy Daily Telegraph


I know I’m a bit late for this bus, but I finally caught it last night when The Strypes played Canvey Island’s Oysterfleet Hotel. They were joined on stage for two numbers by their ‘musical heroes’ Wilko Johnson and John B Sparkes, both late of local template makers, Dr Feelgood. Or is that The Yardbirds… or The Kinks… or even the Downliners Sect?

Their show was peppered with many of those 1960s beat group staples, including Slim Harpo’s Got Love If You Want It (dipping into The High Numbers’ I’m The Face), Jessie Hill’s Ooh Poo Pah Doo, and of course, Route 66. For a more contemporary edge they cover Nick Lowe’s Heart Of The City. They've also got some home-baked songs, notably Blue Collar Jane and What A Shame, and boast an astonishingly tight rhythm section; a child prodigy on electric guitar, and a singer in whom the ferocity of Brilleaux meets the onstage bashfulness of Joey Ramone. And most importantly, in my mind, they've got the look.

With a combined age a little lower than that of the youngest member of the Rolling Stones, and a musical power that channels the Jeff Beck Group on steroids, the precocious Strypes are surely the most exciting new musical prospect in years for lovers of old school rhythm and blues. Handled with care, as they seem to be judging by their mentally muscular entourage, they could become a national phenomenon. And, if this is what they can do at – close your eyes and you won’t believe it – 15, they may one day take the world, or that little part of it that is still populated by rock and roll nuts.

5 comments:

  1. Will I'm 56 from the States and somehow found these kids last year and have been a fan ever since. But this is what won me over. part 1

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6IQiTxteKA&list=PLDFOuBfiH4xgElhd0Mp6tQ3tB702wJtuS

    part 2
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Je2y1TdCjs&list=PLDFOuBfiH4xgElhd0Mp6tQ3tB702wJtuS

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    1. Philo, thanks for the links, yes great band.

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  2. Couldn't agree more Will. They are unbelievably tight, not a weakness anywhere. They also seem incredibly level-headed and I think Niall Walsh, the drummer's dad, keeps a very good eye on them. I was so disappointed that I couldn't make the Canvey show. I'm the wrong side of 60 and I've seen it all but these lads are the real deal.

    Good luck with the blog, look forward to reading more.

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    1. I met Niall on the night John, and he is a very nice man who appears to be in level-headed control of a potentially explosive situation. I wish The Strypes every success.

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    2. By the way, thanks for signing my Ian Dury book, safely received. The fact that you didn't sign my Canvey book makes it all the more special (joke). Really looking forward to reading it before going to the exhibition. I really wish the Strypes would do the 100 Club again, once wasn't enough. I brought a hardened old punk friend of mine along to the last one and he was prepared to give it a go but he was bowled over.

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