The Strypes punk it up on a new album
The Strypes on a new album (and clashing with the GAA!)
‘People in Cavan are mostly supportive… apart from some of the county players’
The Strypes
he Strypes could be said to have left all their blues behind them. Well near enough. The music they ingested since their national school years – and their astonishing ability to play it – brought the Cavan band the endorsement of rock legends, top 10 success, and an almost permanent touring schedule.
However barring Oh Cruel World, the closing track of their third album Spitting Image, that influence is almost inaudible. Seventies proto-punk, punk and new wave music inform the songs on the punchy collection. It’s more Dr Feelgood and less Dr John. More Weller than Wolf. It simply reflects, they say, what they have been listening to when they recorded the album.
‘When we started – and even before the band – it was a heavy diet of blues and rhythm and blues. For this album we had been listening to a lot of Joe Jackson, The Blades, Squeeze and Elvis Costello, so that is obviously going to come out in what we were writing,’ bass player Pete O’Hanlon says.
‘The whole point of a record is to capencounter ture where a band is at that point,’ guitarist Josh McClorey says.
‘It took four weeks. With the other albums and EPs, we’d do maybe three days here and there while we were touring. This time we had a time dedicated to it. We went in without a record and we came out with it done and mixed. That was a savage feeling.’
It’s nearly five years since The Strypes first appeared on these pages. They ranged in age then between 15 and 16. But they were never gauche. Their encyclopaedic musical knowledge and savvy about the industry was remarkable.
Now Josh, Pete and drummer Evan Walsh are 21. Singer and quiet man of the band Ross Farrelly is 20. Although it is they who are in a position to offer advice, given the experience they have accumulated, they still
Tmusic industry mavens who think they know what’s best for the quartet.
‘One guy came up and said: “D’you know what you should do?
You should take REM’s The End Of The World As We Know It and rewrite the lyrics – you’d have a smash hit with that.’ We’re like: “What? What the…? Why don’t you go and record it?” Pete says.
‘People are always going to think they know what’s best for you,’ Ross says. ‘I’m sure, even right till the end, The Beatles were getting advice from people who thought they knew what was best for them.’
‘It is great being this age with all the experience we have,’ Josh adds. ‘So many other bands are only starting out in their early twenties.’
Too many outfits alienate their fans with songs about the band bubble to which they become accustomed. The Strypes were astute enough to realise that they needed to bring it all back home for inspiration for Spitting Image. Songs such as Behind Closed Doors, Grin And Bear It and Oh Cruel World are of Cavan but the experiences and emotions are relatable to everyone everywhere.
‘It is about our surroundings and the experiences of the kind of people we grew with and know but there’s nothing specifically related to Cavan alone. The lyrics are applicable worldwide,’ according to Josh who found time to play on four songs on Paul Weller’s recent album A Kind Revolution.
‘I don’t like this wilful obscurity in songs that some writers go for,’ drummer Evan says. ‘I prefer lyrics where you can’t help but have an image of what is going on. Songs where there is a strong narrative – a beginning, middle and an end.’
While home in Cavan they encountered the gamut of feelings about the band. To the vast majority, they are heroes, putting the county on the map. But this being Ireland, begrudgers feel the need to have their say.
‘People in Cavan on the whole are very supportive, even if some of them might not like the kind of music we do,’ Pete says. ‘I’m sure some of the “Gah-lads” (GAA lads) don’t like it though. But I don’t like them anyway. The county players are the worst. They’ll say: “I’ve played for the county.” I’m like “Really? I’ve played in Japan.”’
They have. Many times. They’ll be playing there again in a few weeks. They will also be supporting The Killers at London’s Hyde Park in July.
On Friday they launched Spitting Image at a raucous, sweat-drenched show in Dublin’s Thomas House. Posters of old and new punk bands festoon the walls there and The Strypes fitted right in. It is apt to paraphrase The Jam. For The Strypes this is their ‘Modern World’.
The Strypes’ Spitting Image is out now on Virgin EMI. See thestrypes.com for upcoming gigs