The sound of The Strokes is the result of frantic living, and the late nights and the early mornings they've spent making their music in New York City. Their music makes you want to forget who you are, and unlocks the possibilities of what you might want to be.
The Strokes are five close friends who began assembling together at the Music Building in New York City sometime in 1998 to lay down the foundations of a rock 'n roll band. Together on stage at a Strokes show you will see and hear: vocalist/songwriter Julian Casablancas delivering biting lyrics, Fabrizio Moretti beating his drums with furious precision, guitarist Albert Hammond Jr. moving smoothly on his feet while his fingers effortlessly flow over his axe, guitarist Nick Valensi with pick in hand tantalizing you with his quick and raw solos, and bassist Nikolai Fraiture looming like a shadow and plucking away with silent enthusiasm.
To describe each of their personalities and styles would consume too much sspace. But what can be said briefly about these five friends is that they love what they do. They live their lives to the fullest, they dress as if the 1970's and 80's fell into the same laundry hamper, they're quick to make a joke, and ready to embrace everything you're willing to give them. All together, they remind you to slow down the fast-paced life which you've been living, and exchange it for their's as they take you into their world for the moment you allow them.
In the span of a little over a year The Strokes have played the slew of downtown New York City music venues, which have ranged from their small beginning at the now defunct Spiral, and the Luna Lounge. They later moved on to larger and more well established venues such as the Mercury Lounge where their talent was recognized by the club's young booker Ryan Gentles who went on to become the band's manager.
The arduous process of getting their music produced and recorded has been greatly aided by skilled producer Gordon Raphael who helped them record a tthree-song demo titled The Modern Age. This demo was picked up by the U.K. label Rough Trade Records, and released, as-is, in January of 2001. Also encouraging and guiding the band in the studio was their 揼uruJP Bowersock. The Modern Age was met with excitement on both sides of the Atlantic. A sold out tour of small clubs in the UK were followed up by national tours of the US opening for Guided By Voices and the Doves.
The Strokes were so caught up in the excitement from the buzz circulating around their music that they took the initiative and began to record their debut album with Raphael at his Transporter Raum Studio before signing a record deal. The result is the eleven-song LP titled Is This It which RCA will be releasing in the US on September 25.
Two cuts from the album were released as the single 揌ard To Explainb/w 揘ew York City Copsin the UK in June 2001 by Rough Trade. The single was met with rave reviews by the English press and climbed to number sixteen on the U.K. pop charts. The success was reinforced by sold out sixteen-date U.K. tour, where scalpers were asking for as much as 200 pounds for tickets.The Strokes are signed to RCA Records. They plan to tour and record for the rest of their lives.
