INTERVIEW: The Strypes @ Bingley Music Live

After their first interview with Gigslutz, 6 months ago, The Strypes are back to talk about what is next for their unstoppable quartet.

Gigslutz: Are you guys looking forward to be playing Bingley Music Live today?

Pete O’Hanlon: Yes!

Josh McClorey: Of course, wouldn’t be here if we weren’t.

Gigslutz: What have you been up to this weekend?

Josh McClorey: Electric Picnic yesterday, Bingley today then back over to Ireland for more Electric Picnic tomorrow and that’s the end of all the UK/European festivals for the year.

Gigslutz: How has festival season been treating you this summer?

PH: We didn’t do as many English festivals as we would have hoped because we’ve done a lot of European ones, Japanese and Australian too. Which is great, but it’s just introducing our music to new markets rather than playing to a big crowd who have heard us before. So you could say it was good and bad.

Gigslutz: So what next, another American Tour?

Evan Walsh: Well, we got back from New York on Tuesday so it will just be recording really. We have this busy weekend, a few weeks at home where we’ll try and get some demo’s done and then into the studio for the next album.

Gigslutz: So does that mean the songs are all written?

JM: Most of them, I’d say, are about finished. Recorded a few at home in my bedroom, just need to go in and get some proper demo’s done and get started in late October!

PH: About 70% there aren’t we?

Gigslutz: Is that going to be out before Christmas then?

EW: We are contractually obliged to… nearing the end of the year at least.

Gigslutz: Are you going for a heavier sound? As “4 Track Mind” (The Strypes current EP) was very different to the album.

EW: Yeah, I’d say we are still pub rock influenced but currently punk too. Stuff like The Undertones, The Specials as well.

PH: Subconsciously it in no doubt effects our playing. It will be a continuation of what we did in the first.

Ross Farrelly: We’d like to keep the covers in.

EW: We wouldn’t make the effort to go either way – covers or just originals – if there’s a song where we think “we’d like to do a version of that” we will.

And now for the famous Gigslutz (slightly longer than) quickfire round –

Gigslutz: 3 must have’s at a festival?

JM: Wellies, a tent and a clean toilet.

PH: Working toilet.

EW: Well-maintained toilet.

Gigslutz: So in short a toilet! Desert Island disc?

JM: ‘Age of the Understatement’ – Last Shadow Puppets

PH: At the moment it’s a song called “Levi Stubbs’ Tears” by Billy Bragg

EW: Probably The Specials’ first album if not, ‘Down by the Jetty” – Dr Feelgood

RF: ‘My Aim Is True’ – Elvis Costello

Gigslutz: I found that in HMV and was disgusted to see it was £2… still bought it. Supergroup?

PH: We may as well do 1 respective musician…

JM: Angus Young on guitar

PH: Mickey Bradley on bass

EW: Pete Thomas on drums

RF: Lee Brilleaux on vocals

Gigslutz: Pet peeve?

PH: One thing that grates me like cheese is when parents say their baby’s ages in months. “Oh yeah, he’s 24 months old” 2. Your child is 2 years old. Doesn’t happen to often but when it does…

EW: What do I hate in this world… You know there is so much!

PH: You’re a man with a fork in a world of soup.

EW: That’s true; I’m grumpy with most things so I couldn’t possibly pick the one.

Blur or Oasis?

The Strypes: Blur. (There was no discussion, in fact they all said this in sync with each other)

PH: It’s more intelligent.

JM: Oasis are more a northerner’s thing, and we’re Irish so…

EW: I know it’s controversial but Blur are a thinking man’s band.

Gigslutz: What about the Gallagher’s separate projects?

JM: They’re very Oasis like! I mean Damon’s side projects are so different. Gorillaz sound absolutely nothing like Blur what so ever.

Gigslutz: Wait, didn’t you support Blur?

EW: Yes but we promise that is not the reason, Pete in particular is a very big Blur fan!

PH: The 2^nd and 3^rd albums are very, very strong. Favourite Blur song is probably “Tracy Jacks”.

Beatles or Stones?

The Strypes: (again unanimous) Beatles.

Gigslutz: If you could go back to any one moment in time, when and where would it be?

RF: Anytime in the late 70’s.

PH: I would go to the moment that John Lydon auditioned the lads to be in the Sex Pistols. That would be great craic!

JM: Mine would be Hendrix at the Monterey Pop festival, burning the guitar. Especially him doing “Wild Thing”. I’d be like that women in the video, have you seen that?!

PH: Oh she’s fucked!

EW: I’d have to agree with Ross, the late 70’s era. Ska, punk, blues, the lot! I’d go and see Dr Feelgood, Rockpile, Costello and The Specials definitely.

Word: Rachel Young

Photos: Melanie Smith – mudkissphotography.co.uk