THE STRYPES | LIVE REVIEW
Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff, Tue 1 Mar
It can sometimes be difficult for young bands to put on an engaging and involving show. Often times the lack of experience is clear, and crowds are left feeling somewhat deflated. But although Cavan-based rock‘n’rollers The Strypes are still in their teens (albeit, only just), they are already veterans of the live scene. And it shows. With support from up and coming indie-rockers The Amazons, the Irish quartet succeed in putting on one hell of a performance at Cardiff’s Clwb Ifor Bach.
The boys kick things off with Hometown Girls: an upbeat, straight-forward rock‘n’roll banger that immediately gets the crowd going, not that they need any encouragement. Without giving those caught up in the madness down front time to breathe, though, it’s straight into the pneumatic Get Into It. This song also sees perennially-shaded frontman Ross Farrelly whip out the harmonica for what turns out to be the first of many.
Despite getting off to an explosive start, it doesn’t take long before the band decide to slow things down a bit. They take a trip back to their first album, treating long-time fans to the Stones-esque Angel Eyes amongst other slower paced tunes. Admittedly, the mood dips a bit: people towards the back end of the room begin to mill and attentions starts to waver. But it doesn’t take long for the quartet to return to their supercharged rhythm and blues onslaught.
And what an onslaught it is. From toppled mic stands to gravity-defying antics in the crowd, there’s certainly no lack rebellious mayhem from both sides of the stage. Ostensibly, it all gets a bit much for guitarist Josh McClorey. “I can see you’re all having a good time, and that’s great. But just remember to be careful, yeah?” he says during a breakdown of one of the songs. His deadpan stare is soon replaced by a wide grin. “You know I’m joking, right?” And with that, the band burst into reckless abandon.
A quick run-through of fan favourite Blue Collar Jane followed by the blissfully bluesy Scumbag City brings the set to a close. For many in the crowd it’s all over too soon. “We want more, we want more,” they cry as the boys from Caven disappear backstage beneath a torrent of reverb. It soon becomes clear that’s all they’re going to get.
But after being on stage for the best part of an hour, it’s fair to say the band met expectations and then some. The musicianship was solid, the energy was high, and the level of carnage was just right. And although their recorded material might cause some to scoff, no one can deny that The Strypes are shaping up to be one of Ireland’s most exciting live acts.
words LIAM TURNER photos ANDREW HUGHES
The Strypes are headlining the Topman 24 tour, which visits Liverpool on Mon 7 Mar, Leeds on Thurs 10 Mar and Edinburgh on Tue 15 Mar.