‘The Strypes take the Academy by storm: one of the last times the Cavan four-piece are ever likely to grace such an intimate venue’, by Danny McElhinney

THE STRYPES

THE ACADEMY
DUBLIN
FRIDAY APRIL 11th

It is only six months since the Strypes played this venue and they have grown, literally, as has their standing as one of the most exciting bands in the world.

America is baying for more of the teenage Cavan quartet after a hugely successful American tour and an ecstatically-received performance on The David Letterman show. Sadly, that means the chances of seeing them play in a 1,000 capacity venue such as this after their second gig tonight are minimal.

They are now a well-oiled ‘live’ machine. All but only the most cherished of their rhythm and blues covers are gone from their set.

They start with their own composition ‘What A Shame’ and close after 85 minutes with the Kingmen’s ‘Louie Louie’. Original tracks ‘Mystery Man’, and ‘Hometown Girls’ are now firm ‘live’ favourites.

The Strypes say little off stage. On stage they stand, often on the stage monitors, quietly confrontational.

Some in the front row seem to rile Josh McClorey. He responds with a flashy guitar solo. Ross Farrelly just stares from behind shades, like Dr Feelgood’s Lee Brilleaux channelling Liam Gallagher.

Bass player, Pete O’Hanlon shakes his mane but comes too close to the baying front row who pull him in to the crowd tearing the black shirt off his back.

‘That was my favourite shirt,’ he laments, reminding us that he is still only 17.

Where once people were content to stand and wonder at how a band who are so young were so accomplished, there is now a proper mosh-pit down at the front.

At the back, middle-aged men still appreciatively stroke their chins but now down at the lip of the stage, teenagers accidentally chin each other responding to the energy emanating from the stage.

With more ticket-holders of that age for the gig in the Academy tonight, it could be an even more frenetic affair.

Their inspired covers of the Ramones’ ‘Rockaway Beach’ and ‘Concrete Jungle’, the Specials’ agit-anthem ratchet up the energy levels even more.

However the band’s attempts to encourage audience members on-stage Specials-style to dance with them is all but prevented by the two bouncers, who only allow three to do so.

 
They may need more than a couple of bouncers tonight to stifle the exuberance of the audience. The Strypes power right now won’t be stopped as easily.