This past Thursday night, Asbury Park received its second visit from UK band The Struts. Though the band is fairly new to Americans, they have managed to win many fans already. Judging by the amount of people who responded when singer Luke Spiller asked who in the crowd had seen them play before, they clearly had made quite a good impression at their Fall show at the Wonder Bar down the street. Along with the seaside town's validation, they've already won the approval of musical giants like Mötley Crüe and the Rolling Stones, who selected the band to open shows for them last year. Going by Thursday night's Stone Pony show, it's easy to see why The Struts are receiving so much attention and praise.
As the band says in their short bio film "It's The Struts", the band's mission was to play "happy, fun Rock N' Roll" that the music scene seems to be lacking at the moment. With the current stress and tension many are feeling these days, their brand of new school Glam is a welcomed relief. Sometimes a bit of glitter is called for, despite (or maybe especially during) daily troubling headlines and an uncertain future. It's a chance to act out and break free. In other words, Glam is a great prescription for Gloom, and the Struts are your rock n' roll doctors.
Citing bands such as Oasis, Queen, The Strokes and Thin Lizzy as influences, the Struts incorporate a bit of Pop into their Rock and the result is music that you can pump your fist to in rebellion, but also dance to with glee. The songs are super catchy and memorable after hearing them for the first time; anthemic songs like "Could Have Been Me" are ready-made for arenas and festivals. Though they have already played such venues, thanks to major fest appearances and slots opening for Mötley Crüe and The Rolling Stones, The Struts are still a band on the rise. But already, they've clearly begun to touch the next generation; 12 year old America's Got Talent finalist Logan "Robot" Gladden took over the drums for Gethin Davies for a cover of Glam legend T.Rex's "Bang a Gong (Get It On)." Bassist Jed Elliott smiled throughout the song as he frequently looked back at Gladden, getting a kick out of his impressive skills.
For the entire show, Spiller's charisma radiated from the stage. Pacing back and forth during the set, he flashed wide-eyed smiles at the crowd. Colorful stage lights made his gold sequined shirt sparkle that much more as he interacted with the audience, encouraging clapping and singing. Aware of the newcomers in the house, he even helped Struts newbies along by giving them the next line to sing.
During their finale, Spiller instructed the lighting director to completely turn off the lights so that the stage was lit only by audience cell phones while he and guitarist Adam Slack played an acoustic performance of "Black Swan." As the soft glow bounced off his red lamé Ziggy Stardust-esque cape, it was a lovely finish to a raucous, sweaty set.
Check out photos from the Struts (and opener Dorothy) at the Stone Pony here:
