By Brittany Rotondo
Young & Dangerous is The Struts sophomore album and is already being dubbed. The glam follow up boasts crowd ready choruses and true pop-rock riffs due in part to its producers Butch Walker (Weezer, Panic! At The Disco) and Sam Hollander (Neon Trees) Frontman and vintage aficionado Luke Spiller excitedly proclaims, “The goal is always to get everyone dancing and screaming and shouting and to make sure they leave dripping in sweat with huge smiles on their faces.”
The Struts consisting of Spiller, guitarist Adam Slack, bassist Jed Elliott and Gethin Davies on drums, got their name from an offhand comment made at a band rehearsal during many of Luke Spiller’s constant mowing and moving. “You strut around a lot.” From then forward, it was cemented, and music’s newest, boldest and bright knights were born.
Due out October 26th on Polydor Records, the LP’s lead single “Body Talks” is as retro as it is radioactive and sees mega star Kesha duetting on the remix version with Spiller. The band, hailing from Derby England, keeps their cheekiness in check on Young & Dangerous and shows a maturity in its demeanor.
The Struts, in their short and already streamlining career, have seen the budding performers touring alongside the likes of The Rolling Stones, Guns N’ Roses, and The Who. Their best and most personal accolade yet is Dave Grohl dubbing the young Englanders “the best band opening band we’ve ever had.”
The follow up to 2016’s full length “Everybody Wants” rocketed the musicians to stardom and even inspired renowned Queen designer Zandra Rhodes to create custom onstage attire which the band advertently attributes to their live shows. The spirit of Freddie Mercury surely pirouettes behind the band. Spiller announces, “We want to give the world a big reminder that there’s something else going on out there. If you feel a little of place, there’s always an electric guitar.” And a trail of sequins, too.
Philadelphia’s legendary rock station 93.3 WMMR recently hosted The Struts to an adorning and sold out crowd of over 600 onlookers at the infamous Theatre of the Living Arts and will see the band back on November 19th as they debut the new songs and sultry outfit changes, strings and sounds onto South Street.
The following collection of songs is a whipping ride through a young band’s rise to Rock and Roll and all that ensues. The extravagant, the vintage nod to their predecessors, the mess of eyeliner and sweat and the excitement of being Young & Dangerous.
Rating: 10/10
Comments: Champagne and Cameras
