Boys have earned their Strypes
Josh and co ready to put their feet up at home after a hectic year
Rainey and Fontaines D.C. from Dublin. Choice Prize nominees, Otherkin, will play alongside Little Hours, Eve Belle and Sean OB at a special Rubyworks showcase at the Old Oak on Thursday April 26. Also taking place on the same evening in the city centre are three more free showcase gigs: Thanks Brother, State Lights, Lilla Vargen, Tebi Rex and Darce play An Brog; Le Boom, Erica Cody, Roe and Kojaque play Cyrpus Avenue, while Laoise, 1000 Beasts, Siights and Day_s play The Crane Lane Theatre. lfor more information and tickets see www. musiccork.com
AYear on from the release of their critically-acclaimed third album The Strypes are firmly focused on a summer in Cavan.
The last time I spoke to Josh Mcclorey, he was sitting in a van on the way to a gig in London, Spitting Image had just been released and the foursome were gearing up for a world tour.
They touched down on Irish soil two weeks ago after being on the road since October of last year and are looking forward to taking some well earned time at home.
“We’re going to do some really normal 22-year-old things,” Mcclorey told The Beat.
“We’re going to just have a really chilled summer – we haven’t got much booked in at all.
“The last summer we had off... it was second year in school!” he laughed.
“Any year that we haven’t had a record out we’ve been flat out gigging so yea we’re looking forward to taking some time to chill and watch Only Fools and Horses for a bit!!
Time spent with family and friends is precious to the young band who despite being in their very early twenties have been around the block.
The Cavan quartet all grew up within a few miles of each other, they’re all the same age and have toured relentlessly together for over six years.
They first ventured across the Irish Sea back in 2013, and the release of their brilliant debut album ‘Snapshot’ justifiably electrified the British music scene.
Since then it’s been non stop.
“We released Spitting Image last June and it’s been pretty incredible since then”, Mcclorey said.
“The reaction has been great, we did a couple of festivals after we released it and was cool you to hear people screaming lyrics back at you from songs you only just released.
“A lot of people would come up after gigs and say you know I really like this track or that track, and they weren’t just the singles – they seemed to like the whole album.
“We’re all really proud of the record and thats the main thing, whatever happens after you make it is out of your hands really.
Change is a key element of most great bands however the spotlight has shone particularly brightly on The Strypes.
Every new release has been met with positive reviews which usuallyclaim that the band has “come of age”, or has “grown into their sound”.
Josh puts this down to their age and where they started from.
“I think because we were so young starting out every record was going to sound different from because you’re at an age when you’re doing a lot of growing up.
“It was the same thing with our second record, everyone was very positive and said it was a complete growth from the first and you know it seems to be a recurring trend with the reviews!
“It’s lovely that everyone is so positive and that they see the growth – It’s harder for us to it because we’re in it everyday.”
The Strypes are lined up to play the Levon Helm tribute night at The Button Factory tonight, an event that celebrates the life of The Band drummer who passed away from cancer.
Next week the Cavan rockers are heading to Cork for an international Music Industry event taking place on April 25 - 27 around the city.
Returning for its second year to Leeside, Music Cork welcomes a host of music industry professionals to the city for the three-day event comprising insightful discussion, workshops, high calibre panels and some fantastic live music taking place throughout Cork venues.
The Strypes will perform at a seated gig at Cork Opera House on Wednesday April 25 alongside Limerick’s Hermitage Green, (right) Cork artist Stephanie