The Strypes

Last updated

The Strypes
The Strypes.jpg
The Strypes performing at the O2 Academy in 2013
Left to right: Pete O'Hanlon, Evan Walsh, Ross Farrelly, Josh McClorey
Background information
Origin Cavan, Ireland
Genres Mod revival, pub rock, rock and roll, indie rock, blues rock, hard rock
Years active2010–2018
Labels Virgin EMI Records
MembersRoss Farrelly (Vocals)
Josh McClorey (Guitar)
Pete O'Hanlon (Bass)
Evan Walsh (Drums)
Past membersJack Hayden (Bass)
Conor Bates (guitar)

The Strypes were a four-piece rock band from Cavan, Ireland, formed in 2010 consisting of Ross Farrelly (lead vocals/harmonica), Josh McClorey (lead guitar/vocals), Peter O'Hanlon (bass guitar/harmonica) and Evan Walsh (drums). The band played the local scene with various members switching parts as they searched for their sound. They drew inspiration from 1960s blues boom and 1970s pub rock bands such as Dr. Feelgood, [1] Eddie and the Hot Rods, The Rolling Stones, The Yardbirds, [1] Lew Lewis and Rockpile as well as the original bluesmen and rock 'n' roll artists such as Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley, [2] Howlin' Wolf [2] and Little Walter, among others.

Contents

The band, with a shared love of blues and rhythm and blues music, formed in the town of Cavan, Ireland. After several months gigging around their hometown, the band began playing clubs and pubs around Ireland, playing sets mixing original material with rhythm and blues covers. Their performances became well received by crowds across Ireland and their reputation as a live act grew.

The band's debut EP Young, Gifted & Blue brought them surprise success and recognition in 2012, topping the iTunes Blues charts. After signing with Elton John's record label, the band released their debut L.P Snapshot in 2013, bringing them to national fame.

The band became known for their live performances and supported artists like the Arctic Monkeys, Johnny Marr and Paul Weller on tour.

The band followed up with the release of Little Victories, which received comparatively mixed reviews due to its more indie-rock style. They embarked on a world tour in support of the album.

The band released Spitting Image in 2017, which enjoyed rave reviews but relatively poor commercial success.

The band announced their split on social media in November 2018. [3] Three of the former members remain musically active: McClorey as lead singer of Soft Launch, [4] O'Hanlon as touring bassist for Lord Friday the 13th [5] and Walsh as bassist and bandleader for The Savage Hearts. [6]

Music career

Formation and early years

The band formed in the town of Cavan in Ireland with the original line-up consisting of McClorey (10 September 1995), Walsh (30 October 1996), O'Hanlon (20 February 1996) on vocals, Jack Hayden (19 December 1995) and Conor Bates (guitar). The band made their debut at a primary school Christmas concert and started playing around Cavan and the surrounding areas. In a matter of months, however, Bates had left the band. Ross Farrelly (3 September 1997) joined on vocals and harmonica.

In November 2010, the then unknown band debuted on that year's edition of The Late Late Toy Show , leading to the launch of their career. In 2011, Hayden left the band. O'Hanlon then switched to bass.

2012–2015: Breakthrough and debut album

In April 2012, they released a self-produced EP of four blues covers entitled Young, Gifted & Blue. It was led by a version of the Bo Diddley song "You Can't Judge a Book by the Cover" and also featured material penned by Billy Boy Arnold, Slim Harpo and Eddie Holland. All of the group's members were still in school at the time and merely recorded the EP as a fun side project. The band did all the preparation and promotion themselves and the EP reached No. 1 on the iTunes Blues Chart the day after release (a position it later held for a further six weeks). This came as a huge surprise to the band, and "You Can't Judge a Book by the Cover" became a minor hit on Irish radio.

The release of the EP also attracted record company interest, and a battle ensued between several major labels for the band's signatures. During this time they began travelling to London, playing clubs and venues around the city. During this time they were signed to Rocket Music Management, owned by Sir Elton John, a fan of the band. In December 2012, the band chose to sign with Mercury Records. Since signing, the band has begun playing venues across the UK and have appeared in music magazines such as NME and Mojo , as well as several national newspapers. Jeff Beck, Alice Cooper, Paul Weller, Noel Gallagher, Dave Grohl, Roger Daltrey, and Miles Kane are all known fans of the band.

During a February 2013 TV appearance on Chelsea Lately guest hosted by Dave Grohl, Elton John said of The Strypes, "They have a knowledge of R&B and blues at 16 years of age that I have only amassed in my 65 years. They're just like a breath of fresh air."

On 28 March 2013 the band released its debut single on Mercury Records, an original track titled "Blue Collar Jane". The single was released on download sites and radio, featuring two digital B-sides, on 28 March with a special edition numbered gatefold vinyl released on Record Store Day (20 April). The reaction to the single has been uniformly positive, with the A-side peaking at No. 11 on the iTunes Alternative Charts. The Record Store Day gatefold double 7" vinyl release featured "Blue Collar Jane" plus B-sides on one 45 and a slightly altered reprint of Young, Gifted & Blue on the other.

During April 2013 the band featured live on the popular BBC2 television programme Later... with Jools Holland , along with other musical artists Suede, Laura Mvula and Cat Power. The band's second single, "Hometown Girls" (backed by live versions of T-Bone Walker's "Stormy Monday Blues" and the traditional "CC Rider" recorded at King Tut's, Glasgow) was released as a download in May 2013 and on vinyl on 8 July.

The band's third single, "What a Shame", was released on download on 26 July with a vinyl run to follow later in August.

On 27 June 2013 the band were announced to be supporting British indie-rock band Arctic Monkeys on their 2013 UK, Belgium, France, Germany and Italy Tour.

In July 2013 The Strypes supported British indie-rock band The Courteeners at Castlefield Bowl in Manchester, along with Miles Kane and Reverend and the Makers

The band's debut album, titled Snapshot , was released on 9 September 2013. [7] It was produced by former Beatles and Sex Pistols producer Chris Thomas.

Concert during the Festival Interceltique de Lorient in 2014. FIL 2014 - The Strypes - 2701.JPG
Concert during the Festival Interceltique de Lorient in 2014.

In March 2014 they appeared at SXSW backing BP Fallon performing the song Vicious at a Lou Reed memorial concert. The same year they were presented with The Grulke Prize for Developing Non-US Act. [8]

26 March 2014 The Strypes played their biggest ever U.S. TV appearance, performing "What A Shame" on Late Show with David Letterman .

In July 2014 The Strypes toured Australia, playing single dates in Melbourne and Sydney.

Chris Difford of the hit band Squeeze - who is thanked on the liner notes of Snapshot - was an early mentor. [9]

2015-2017: Little Victories

In 2015, The Strypes released their second album, entitled Little Victories [10] which reached number 1 on the Irish Charts and number 17 on the UK charts and embarked on a world tour to promote the album. In November 2015, the band released the album Live in Tokyo 2015, recorded from one of their live shows in Tokyo, Japan on the tour. [11] They also played in Brazil, during the 'Cultura Inglesa Festival', opening for Johnny Marr.

In November 2016, the band announced a limited edition run of 500 vinyl only singles available exclusively from their website with all proceeds going to the teenage Cancer charity Canteen. It was released on the Reckless Records label The double-A-side features versions of Nick Lowe's "(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love, and Understanding" and Stefan Murphy's "Down at the Radiotron".

2017-2018: Spitting Image

In March 2017, the band began touring smaller venues in Ireland to road test new material for a third studio album scheduled for release in June 2017. On 25 April 2017 it was announced that this album would be called Spitting Image. The album was released on 16 June of that year. Wanting to create a tour diary that was not "absolutely shite", [12] Pete O'Hanlon created the "Surprisingly Dull Adventures of The Strypes" YouTube series which documented their subsequent tour in promotion of the album. [13] In July 2017, the band supported main headliners, Nevada rock band The Killers, and Manchester band Elbow at a sold out Hyde Park, London for the BST 2017 festival. [14] They also supported Paul Weller [15] [16] and Liam Gallagher on their respective headline tours. [17]

2018-present : Break-up and subsequent projects

On 14 November 2018, 7 months after cancelling the remainder of their Spitting Image tour due to drummer Evan Walsh being unfit to perform, [18] [19] the band announced their breakup through a post on their Instagram page. In an interview with Indie Buddy in 2020, Walsh stated that the band split-up because the members wanted to go in a different musical direction but were being pressured by their label to stick to a certain style. [20]

Following the break-up of the Strypes, the band members continued their musical careers, with guitarist Josh McClorey releasing his first solo single "Everything Was Easy" in 2020 [21] and singer Ross Farelly, bassist Pete O'Hanlon and drummer Evan Walsh forming the band the Zen Arcade, releasing their debut single "Don't Say A Word" in 2020. [22] They have since disbanded. [23]

As of April 2024, McClorey serves as lead singer and multi-instrumentalist for Indie band Soft Launch, [4] O'Hanlon serves as touring bassist for Texas based glam-rock band Lord Friday the 13th [5] and Walsh is the bassist and bandleader of Cavan based rock and roll outfit The Savage Hearts. [6]

The Strypes appeared in the film Rocketman (2019), playing Elton John's backing band. [24]

Influences

The Strypes have cited Dr. Feelgood [1] and the Yardbirds [1] as their main musical influences, but members have also cited The Beatles, [2] The Who, [25] Chuck Berry, The Rolling Stones, Bo Diddley, [2] The Jam, Willie Dixon, [26] Little Richard, Elvis Costello, [27] The Ramones, The New York Dolls, [27] The Undertones, Squeeze, [27] Rockpile, [2] The Housemartins, [28] Dave Edmunds, Royal Blood, [1] Lew Lewis, Johnny Marr, [28] The Animals, Johnny Thunder, [27] Nine Below Zero, Thin Lizzy, [27] Eddie Cochran, [25] Jimmy Reed, Dave Evnans Little Walter, Howlin' Wolf, [2] Them, The Fratellis, [2] The Pirates, Blur, [1] Elmore James, AC/DC, [27] Nick Lowe, [2] Muddy Waters, The Cars, [25] Sonny Boy Williamson II, The Bohicas, [1] John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers, Kaiser Chiefs, [2] Jamie T, [1] Slim Harpo, Robert Johnson, Billy Boy Arnold, Lead Belly, Kendrick Lamar, [1] John Lee Hooker and Jerry Lee Lewis as influences. Guitarist Josh McClorey stated that "What A Shame" was influenced by the Arctic Monkeys and that "Heavenly Soul" was influenced by Nirvana [25]

Band members

Former members

Discography

Studio albums

TitleAlbum detailsPeak chart positions
IRL
[29]
FRA
[30]
JPN
[31]
NLD
[32]
UK
[33]
Snapshot
  • Released: 9 September 2013 (UK)
  • Label: Virgin EMI Records
  • Formats: CD, digital download, vinyl
27513455
Little Victories
  • Release: 21 August 2015 (UK)
  • Label: Virgin EMI Records
  • Formats: CD, digital download, vinyl
1225717
Spitting Image 845
"—" denotes a title that did not chart.

EPs

YearTitlePeak chart positionsNotes
iTunes Blues Chart
[34]
2012Young Gifted & Blue14-track home-recorded EP of covers
that got the band noticed by record companies
2013Blue Collar Jane EPTwo-disc gatefold limited vinyl edition
for Record Store Day featuring "Blue Collar Jane" 45
as well as slightly altered reprint of "Young, Gifted & Blue"
20144 Track Mind EPFour new tracks to coincide with the beginning of their UK Tour starting 11 February

Later released under the name of "Hard To Say No EP" in Japan on 9 April.

2015Flat Out EPThree new tracks to coincide with the beginning of their UK Tour starting 30 April.
2017Almost TrueThree new tracks and one live track.
"—" denotes a title that did not chart.

Singles

YearTitleB-Side(s)Peak chart positionsAlbum
UK
[34]
2013"Blue Collar Jane""What the People Don't See",
"I Wish You Would"
125Snapshot
"Hometown Girls""C. C. Rider (live)",
"Stormy Monday Blues (live)"
140
"What a Shame""Beautiful Delilah",
"I Can Tell (live)"
"Come Together"Non-album single
"Mystery Man"Snapshot
"You Can't Judge a Book by the Cover""You Keep Me Waiting", "Saved Me (From Myself)"
"—" denotes a title that did not chart.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Raconteurs</span> American rock supergroup

The Raconteurs are an American rock band from Detroit, Michigan, formed in 2005. The band consists of Jack White, Brendan Benson, Jack Lawrence, and Patrick Keeler (drums). Lawrence and Keeler were originally members of the Greenhornes, while White and Lawrence went on to become members of the Dead Weather.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Black Stone Cherry</span> American rock band

Black Stone Cherry is an American rock band, formed in 2001 in Edmonton, Kentucky. They were signed to Roadrunner Records until 2015; the band is now signed to Mascot Label Group. The band consists of Chris Robertson, Ben Wells, Steve Jewell and John Fred Young. Black Stone Cherry has released eight studio albums as well as two EPs, and have charted seventeen singles on the US Mainstream Rock Tracks charts. Their latest album, Screamin' at the Sky, was released in 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New Years Day (band)</span> American rock band

New Years Day is an American rock band formed in Anaheim, California, in 2005. After building a reputation strictly through promotion on the social networking website MySpace, the band released its debut self-titled EP in 2006 and their first full-length album My Dear in 2007. Six years after their initial debut, Victim to Villain was finally released, followed by Malevolence in 2015. Malevolence peaked at No. 45 on the Billboard 200, the band's highest charting thus far.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Craig Mabbitt</span> American singer

Craig Edward Mabbitt is an American singer and the lead vocalist for the rock band Escape the Fate. He was formerly the lead vocalist for the bands Blessthefall and The Word Alive. He is also the current lead vocalist of his side-project band Dead Rabbitts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Matt Cardle</span> English singer

Matthew Sheridan Cardle is an English pop singer and actor. He was born in Southampton and grew up in Halstead, Essex. Cardle has been involved in music since his early teens and has been a member of two different bands; Darwyn and Seven Summers. Cardle rose to fame after winning the seventh series of The X Factor in 2010, and received a £1 million recording contract with Syco Music and later signed a deal with Columbia Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rival Sons</span> American rock band

Rival Sons is a rock band formed in Long Beach, California, in 2009 and also affiliated with Nashville, Tennessee. The band consists of Jay Buchanan, Scott Holiday (guitar), Dave Beste and Michael Miley (drums). In their most recent tour they were joined by keyboard player Jesse Nason, and Todd Ögren accompanied them on previous tours. They are signed to Atlantic Records via Dave Cobb's label Low Country Sound, an imprint of Elektra.

Fludd was a Canadian rock band in the 1970s. They placed six singles in the Canadian top 40 between 1971 and 1975, including "Turned 21" (1971), "Get Up, Get Out & Move On" (1971), "Cousin Mary" (1973) and "What An Animal" (1975). Members of Fludd went on to form the successful Canadian chart groups Goddo and Saga.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Of Monsters and Men</span> Icelandic folk rock band

Of Monsters and Men is an Icelandic indie folk/rock band formed in Garðabær in 2010. It consists of lead singer and guitarist Nanna Bryndís Hilmarsdóttir, singer and guitarist Ragnar "Raggi" Þórhallsson, lead guitarist Brynjar Leifsson, drummer Arnar Rósenkranz Hilmarsson, and bassist Kristján Páll Kristjánsson. The band won the Músíktilraunir in 2010, an annual Battle of the Bands in Iceland. In 2011, Of Monsters and Men released an EP titled Into the Woods. Their 2011 debut album, My Head Is an Animal, reached the No.1 position in Australia, Iceland, and Ireland, as well as on the US Rock and Alternative charts, while peaking at No. 6 on the US Billboard 200 album chart, No. 3 in the UK, and top 20 of most European and Canadian charts. Its lead single, "Little Talks", was an international success, reaching the top 10 in most music charts in Europe, including No. 1 in Ireland and Iceland, and No. 1 on US Alternative Songs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Plot in You</span> American rock band

The Plot in You is an American rock band formed in Hancock County, Ohio in 2010. Originally a side project of former Before Their Eyes member Landon Tewers, the group is composed of Tewers, guitarist Josh Childress, bassist Ethan Yoder and drummer Michael Cooper.

The Devil Wears Prada, an American metalcore band from Dayton, Ohio, have released eight studio albums, one demo, three extended plays, twenty-nine singles and thirty music videos.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kaleo (band)</span> Icelandic rock band

Kaleo is an Icelandic blues rock band which formed in Mosfellsbær in 2012. It consists of lead vocalist and guitarist Jökull Júlíusson, drummer Davíð Antonsson, bassist Daniel Kristjánsson, lead guitarist Rubin Pollock and harmonicist Þorleifur Gaukur Davíðsson. They have released three studio albums, Kaleo (2013), A/B (2016), and Surface Sounds (2021), as well as the EP Glasshouse (2013).

<i>Snapshot</i> (The Strypes album) 2013 studio album by The Strypes

Snapshot is the debut studio album by Irish rock band The Strypes, released on 9 September 2013. The album was produced by highly acclaimed record producer Chris Thomas at Yellow Fish Studios, England. The title of the album derives from the band's intention while recording the album to create a "snapshot" of their live set that got them noticed in the first place.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Walking on Cars</span> Irish rock band

Walking on Cars was a four-piece Irish rock band, whose 2020 line-up consisted of Pa Sheehy (singer/lyricist), Sorcha Durham (pianist), Paul Flannery and Evan Hadnett (drummer). Their debut single "Catch Me If You Can", released in 2012, went to No. 1 on the Irish iTunes chart. The band released their debut EP, As We Fly South, in 2013, and a second one, Hand in Hand, in (2014), together with the accompanying single "Always Be with You". Their next single, "Speeding Cars", came out on 30 October 2015. Following the international success of the single, the band released their debut album Everything This Way on 29 January 2016, which peaked at No. 1 in Ireland. On 12 April 2019, the band released their second album Colours.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Glorious Sons</span> Canadian rock band

The Glorious Sons are a Canadian rock band from Kingston, Ontario. Formed in 2011, the band signed with Black Box in 2013. Since then, The Glorious Sons have released two EPs and four full-length albums.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Badflower</span> American rock band

Badflower is an American rock band founded in Los Angeles, California. The band is composed of singer/guitarist Josh Katz, lead guitarist Joey Morrow, bass guitarist Alex Espiritu and drummer Anthony Sonetti. The band is signed to Big Machine / John Varvatos Records and was named Artist of the Week by Apple Music after the release of their EP Temper in 2016. Their debut studio album, OK, I'm Sick, was released on February 22, 2019. Their second album This Is How the World Ends was released on September 24, 2021.

<i>Little Victories</i> (Strypes album) 2015 studio album by The Strypes

Little Victories is the second studio album by Irish rock band the Strypes, released on 15 July 2015 by Virgin EMI Records. A Deluxe edition was released on 22 July 2015.

Cleopatrick Canadian rock duo

Cleopatrick is a Canadian rock duo based in Cobourg, Ontario. They have released a studio album and three EPs by their own record label, called Nowhere Special Recordings.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Diamante (musician)</span> American singer-songwriter

Diamante Azzura Bovelli, known mononymously as Diamante, is an American singer and songwriter.

<i>Spitting Image</i> (album) 2017 studio album by The Strypes

Spitting Image is the third and final studio album by Irish rock band The Strypes, released on 16 June 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fire from the Gods</span> American rap metal band

Fire from the Gods is an American rap metal band formed in Austin, Texas in 2007. The band is currently signed to Better Noise and consists of lead guitarist Drew Walker, bassist Bonner Baker, rhythm guitarist and backing vocalist Jameson Teat, drummer Richard Wicander and lead vocalist AJ Channer.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "The Strypes - Q&A - YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved 6 January 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "The Strypes Interview With SecretFangirls.com - YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved 6 January 2021.
  3. "The Strypes on Facebook". Facebook . Archived from the original on 30 April 2022.[ user-generated source ]
  4. 1 2 Soft Launch - Cartwheels (Official Music Video) . Retrieved 3 April 2024 via www.youtube.com.
  5. 1 2 Lord Friday the 13th at Elsewhere (Zone One) - St. Judy (Live) . Retrieved 3 April 2024 via www.youtube.com.
  6. 1 2 THE SAVAGE HEARTS | LUCKY SEVEN | CAVAN ARTS FEST ‘23 . Retrieved 3 April 2024 via www.youtube.com.
  7. "The Strypes Announce Debut Album 'Snapshot'". contactmusic.com. 19 July 2013. Retrieved 3 September 2013.
  8. Park, Linda (2014). "2014 Grulke Prize Winners – Future Islands, The Strypes, Damon Albarn | SXSW 2014". sxsw.com. Retrieved 27 March 2014. The Grulke Prize winner for Developing Non-US Act
  9. "2018 From post-Punk to The Strypes, Squeeze's Chris Difford has seen it all". Extra.ie. 25 February 2018. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
  10. "The Strypes talk to Louise O'Reilly at their "Little Victories" Album launch in Multisound Cavan". www.google.ie. Retrieved 5 January 2021.
  11. "The Strypes - Blue Collar Jane (Live in Tokyo 2015)". www.google.ie. Retrieved 5 January 2021.
  12. "A Chat With : The Strypes - YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved 5 January 2021.
  13. "The Surprisingly Dull Adventures of The Strypes Ep 1 - YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved 5 January 2021.
  14. "The Killers - SOLD OUT | American Express presents BST Hyde Park".
  15. "The Surprisingly Dull Adventures of The Strypes Ep 38 - 'Brighton Rock' - YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved 6 January 2021.
  16. "The Surprisingly Dull Adventures of The Strypes Ep 46 - '02? OH NO!' - YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved 6 January 2021.
  17. "The Surprisingly Dull Adventures of The Strypes Ep 12 - 'Way Out Weston' (supporting Liam Gallagher) - YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved 6 January 2021.
  18. "The Surprisingly Dull Adventures of The Strypes Ep 62 - 'Peak And Bleak Clip Show Spectacular' - YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved 6 January 2021.
  19. "The Surprisingly Dull Adventures of The Strypes Ep 61 - 'Is There A Drummer In The House?' - YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved 6 January 2021.
  20. "A Chat With: The Zen Arcade - YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved 5 January 2021.
  21. "Josh McClorey - Everything Was Easy (Official Video)". www.google.ie. Retrieved 6 January 2021.
  22. "The Zen Arcade - Don't Say A Word (Official Video) - YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved 6 January 2021.
  23. "The Zen Arcade on Instagram: "Hello folks, we've decided to break up. Thanks for listening, watching, reading and caring. PERBS"". Instagram. Retrieved 30 July 2022.
  24. "Rocketman (2019) - IMDb". IMDb .
  25. 1 2 3 4 "A Chat With : The Strypes - YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved 6 January 2021.
  26. "The Strypes - You Can't Judge A Book By The Cover - YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved 6 January 2021.
  27. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "A Chat With : The Strypes - YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved 6 January 2021.
  28. 1 2 "The Strypes - Interview - YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved 6 January 2021.
  29. "The Strypes – Irish Charts". irish-charts.com. Retrieved 16 September 2013.
  30. "The Strypes – French Charts". lescharts.com. Retrieved 23 September 2013.
  31. ザ・ストライプスの売上ランキング (in Japanese; retrieved February 7, 2018)
  32. "The Strypes – Dutch Charts". dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved 7 October 2013.
  33. "The Strypes – UK Charts". Official Charts Company . Retrieved 16 September 2013.
  34. 1 2 Peak positions in the United Kingdom: