The Strypes ‘live’ at The Bodega, Nottingham, Friday 15th March

The Strypes have created quite a buzz since bursting onto the scene with their ‘Young, Gifted and Blue’ 7” EP on Heavy Soul Records, supporting Paul Weller at Abbey Road Studios, being mentored by Jeff Beck and then signing a 5-album worldwide major record deal with Mercury. Not bad for four 16 years olds from Ireland.

Just back from Japan and currently playing a handful of UK dates ahead of the release of their new single, ‘Blue Collar Jane’, tonight I was lucky enough to catch The Strypes ‘live’ at their sell-out Nottingham show at The Bodega.

The night started with a good six song set by indie stars, ’Park Bench Society’, who were well received by the rapidly filling room.

Then, hitting the stage with attitude and swagger, came Ross, Josh, Peter & Evan – The Strypes. It was Maximum R&B time - all of a sudden it felt like we’d been transported back 50 years to see The Yardbirds working their magic in a hot, sweaty, club in Richmond. Originals like ‘Blue Collar Jane, fitted in perfectly with R&B standards like ‘I’m a Hog For You Baby’ and ‘C C Rider’. The stage show was mesmeric as solid drumming from a diminutive sticksman and a high energy bass player combined with the scene’s newest guitar hero and a cool vocalist in shades packing a blues harp.

After slowing the pace down with ‘Stormy Monday Blues’ we got their versions of ‘You Can’t Judge A Book By The Cover’ and ‘I Wish You Would’ from the aforementioned 7” EP (copies of which are already changing hands for £40 on Amazon). This was authentic Rhythm & Blues at its best. There was a bit of role changing as Peter switched to harmonica, Josh to bass and Ross to guitar showing just how versatile they are. With Josh back on guitar, and almost disappearing off the monitor into the crowd at one point, he played the guitar on his knees and on the floor a la Hendrix!!! After ‘Got Love If You Want It’ and ‘Rolling & Tumbling’ completed an hour on stage, they were gone – but the crowd wasn’t going to leave it at that.

After much encore shouting and clapping (plus a brief rendition of ‘We Are The Mods) by the crowd, the boys returned to the stage to tell the gathering how much they had enjoyed playing this gig in Nottingham to such a great audience and, without further ado, kicked into ‘Route 66’ (with backing vocals by almost the entire audience), rounding the night off with ‘Heat of the City’.

The Strypes are, without doubt, one of the greatest talents around at the moment and, with their fantastic musicianship, youthfulness and great stage presence (plus major label backing), they will hopefully be around to bring us their authentic R&B sound for many years to come. Miss them at your peril.