We have been buying the releases by The Strypes from Cavan in Ireland since they started and were impressed with the own compositions on their first full-length album. No trace of Coldplay or Kanye here! This quartet has zoned straight into the great sixties and seventies RnB acts for inspiration adding their own touch on the way. It’s not just us who like the band – US chat show king David Letterman had them on one of his shows… Here you can read their responses to questions put together by Pete and Glenn:
Ross Farrelly (lead vocals/harmonica)
- Which makes of harmonica do you favour and why?
Well I use Hohner Marine Band mainly because they have wooden combs.
- Name a track (artist/title) that you find really relaxing
To be honest I never really listen to music to relax. But if I was to pick one it would The Auld Triangle by the Dubliners
- Do you prefer playing in intimate clubs, large venues e.g. arenas, stadiums or festivals and why?
I prefer the smaller gigs because I can get really into it and I can see people’s faces.
- Tell me about the new album ‘Little Victories’
Little Victories is our new album out on the 24th of July, it has 12 tracks all of which or not very bad. It’s a lot heavier than the first album in places, and the production is better in my opinion.
- What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?
I’ve never really been given advice. Apart from “never eat yellow snow”
Bonus Question- What’s your favourite track on the new album and why?
My favourite track is Best Man because it’s the most fun to play.
Josh McClorey (lead guitar/vocals)
- What are your favoured stage guitars and why?
I have a Les Paul, a Gretsch Pro Jet and a Telecaster. I’ve just been using these guitars for the last year because they’re great road guitars, they can take a good beating and still sound great.
- What is your aim when performing as a band?
I suppose the main aim is to give people a good night out, and keep everything upbeat.
- Can you dance? Do you dance?
Whether I can dance or not isn’t my call, I reckon I’m like James Brown but I’m sure the reality is different!
- What was it like growing up in Cavan, Ireland?
Wet.
- Is there a book that you would like to score the music for and why?
The CHERUB books, all of them! I’m a massive fan of the books from when I was younger, and I’m all about spy music!
Bonus Question- What’s your favourite track on the new album and why?
My favourite track is ‘Get Into It’ which is our new single.
Evan Walsh (drums)
- Three tips for a novice drummer, please
1. Watch clips of drummers you like (Pete Thomas and Gilson Lavis in my case) and steal some fill from them, don’t get pretentious and don’t play too many slow songs.
- Which are the best sticks you have used and why?
I’ve used both Vater and Vic Firth sticks and they’re all generally good. I’m the least technical player on earth so I can’t speak with authority on the subject.
- Have you ever watched a whole TV series? If so, what was it and why?
I’ve watched many TV series the whole way through, I’ve been a telly addict since I can remember. The only reason to watch a program is if you like it.
- Do you have a nickname?
Friends and family call me “Ev” but that’s about it.
- What was the first gig you ever went to and where was it?
As a child my parents took me to see Paul McCartney in the 02 Arena in Dublin.
Bonus Question- What’s your favourite track on the new album and why?
“Best Man” is my favourite track on the new album because of its taught, overdriven punk style and stompy beat.
Pete O’Hanlon (bass guitar/harmonica)
- What basses do you prefer to take out to gigs? What strings do you generally use?
My favourite bass to use is the one I currently use, it’s an Epiphone Rivoli that I’ve had for a few years. Myself and Ev bought it together when we were much younger and I’ve used it ever since!
As far as the science of strings and pedals and amps go, I’m completely clueless, so I don’t know what strings I use, I just know that they work!
- Which makes of harmonica do you favour and why?
Hohner Marine Band is our preferred make of harmonica just because they’re the best you can get with our limited price range! And they sound very good, lots of people that we are big fans of use them a lot.
- Jack Bruce or Jack Casady? Any favourite tracks of theirs? (Say something about both)
I’d prefer Jack Bruce over Jack Casady because I’m much more familiar with Bruce and I’d be a bigger fan of the bands he’s in. My favourite moment of his is probably the harmonica part on Train Time by The Graham Bond Organisation.
- Name a piece of music that makes you laugh (intentionally or otherwise) (Artist/Title)
L’Arnachie Pour Le UK from The Great Rock N Roll Swindle Soundtrack
- Name your favourite Bo Diddly track and explain its appeal to you
Bo Diddley – Bring It To Jerome
There are some serious maracas on that song!
Bonus Question- What’s your favourite track on the new album and why?
Three Streets and A Village Green is my favourite, it’s got a really vicious pace to it and I quite like the chorus.
Pete Sargeant & Glenn Sargeant
The Strypes’s new album Little Victories is released on Virgin EMI Records on Friday 24th July. In addition, the band are touring the UK and Ireland in 2015 at the following shows:
Saturday 11th July – T in the Park Festival, Perthshire, Scotland, United Kingdom http://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/TinthePark2015
Sunday 2nd August- Y Not Festival, Derbyshire, United Kingdom http://www.ynotfestivals.co.uk/
Saturday 8th August- Boardmasters Festival, Nequay, United Kingdom http://boardmasters.seetickets.com/content/ticket-options
Wednesday 23rd September- The Nerve Centre, Derry, Northern Ireland http://www.wegottickets.com/event/323034
Thursday 24th September- Academy, Dublin, Ireland http://www.ticketmaster.ie/the-strypes-dublin-09-24-2015/event/18004EADEA5D56BC
Saturday 26th September- The Ritz, Manchester, United Kingdom http://www.gigsandtours.com/tour/the-strypes/
Sunday 27th September- Queen Margaret Union, Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom http://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/The-Strypes-tickets/artist/1776871?tm_link=edp_Artist_Name
Monday 28th September- Plug, Sheffield, United Kingdom http://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/The-Strypes-tickets/artist/1776871?tm_link=edp_Artist_Name
Wednesday 30th September- The Waterfront, Norwich, United Kingdom http://www.axs.com/uk/events/279326/the-strypes-tickets?skin=goldenvoiceuk
Thursday 1st October- Motion, Bristol, United Kingdom http://axs.com/uk/events/279327/the-strypes-tickets?skin=goldenvoiceuk
Friday 2nd October- Koko, London, United Kingdom http://axs.com/uk/events/279328/the-strypes-tickets?skin=goldenvoiceuk
Saturday 3rd October- Rainbow Warehouse, Birmingham, United Kingdom http://www.livenation.co.uk/artist/the-strypes-tickets
For more information visit: www.thestrypes.com/
