Music with Eddie Rowley
THE Strypes, who release their third album Spitting Image this Friday, have come a long way since performing as kids on The Late Late Toy Show in 2010.
Since then, the four precocious Cavan lads — Ross Farrelly, Josh McClorey, Pete O’Hanlon and Evan Walsh — have gone on to make their mark around the world by touring relentlessly.
The striking quartet’s twist on classic rhythm and blues, and their frenetic performing style, has had music legends sit up and take notice of them.
“They’re playing music like the Rolling Stones used to, or the Yardbirds, or The Beatles,” Elton John said when they first hit the scene. “It’s astonishing to find kids of that age wanting to play music like that, most kids want to be Justin Bieber.”
Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl described The Strypes as “amazing” and “unbelievable”. And the super talented young musicians couldn’t believe their good fortune when they later supported the Foo Fighters in Slane.
“To be on a bill with someone who is as legendary as Dave Grohl was unbelievable,” Pete says. “Not alone is he in the Foo Fighters, he was also in Nirvana. He’s massive, he’s a legend.”
Keeping it real, The Strypes wrote and rehearsed their new album in the Town Hall in Cavan before going on to record it in the legendary Rockfield in Wales. They say that both environments suit their “gentle way of life”.
“There’s a lot of pressure that comes with success, particularly with recording,” Josh says. “But if you just focus on wanting to be a really good band and playing shows, then everything else doesn’t really matter.”
Playing live is what this band was built for and The Strypes are hitting the road with shows everywhere from the Isle of Wight to the Fuji Rock Festival in Japan.