The Strypes Live at O2 Academy Islington, 21st June

The Strypes.  No doubt a familiar name by now.  Four Irish adolescents, all under the age of 18, who within a year have built up a reputation of being one of the best live bands on the circuit.

This was my second time seeing them, though I knew it would be the first time I see their true potential, on the brightly illuminated stage of the O2 Academy Islington, as opposed to the small confines of Rough Trade East, where I last watched them perform.

After an hour of listening to the DJ set which consisted of tracks by the Beatles, Chuck Berry and Arctic Monkeys, the band finally emerged from behind the black curtain, kitted up as usual in their fitted mod suits, with Ross (lead) staring down the crowd through his shades which never, ever come off onstage.

 

They kick off the mayhem with a string of pounding sixties numbers before rolling into 'Hometown Girls', their latest single.  Obvious favourite 'Blue Collar Jane' is met with chaotic cheers and 100% increase in dancing, with everyone in the room knowing the words by heart. 

Without rest, they storm through the set, with the highlights being 'Blue Collar Jane', 'Heart of the City', and Yardbirds cover 'Can't Judge a Book By the Cover'.  They ooze sixties swagger and undiluted talent, and before you know it, Josh (guitar) is wrapping it up on floor, picking ferociously at his guitar as it rests on his lap. 

 

With the band's massive fan base already in place, they near their September release date for the highly anticipated debut album.  Though the prospect of the band releasing their first LP is odd, to say the least, as it feels as if they've already been around for a considerable length of time, what with the buzz they've received from the likes of the NME.  But it's written in the stars that these boys are to go far, and they can rest assured that they'll be leading the way for the next generation of rock and roll blues.