Concert Reports

The Struts & Starcrawler invade The House of Blues Anaheim on the Tour De California sponsored by Harley Davidson.

All Photos: Ray Soto / Central Coast Rocks

TheStruts.com          Starcrawlermusic.com

Rock N Roll is not dead, in fact it has been given an adrenaline shot to the heart by a band called The Struts. The UK Rockers came steamrolling into Anaheim’s House of Blues as part of the band’s 4 date Tour De California and promptly began to blow the roof off the place. Hitting the stage after an air raid siren alerted the sold out crowd the festivities were about to start, charismatic lead singer Luke Spiller had complete control over the audience before the first words of the opening song “Primadonna Like Me” were belted out.

“Body Talks”, “Kiss This” and “In Love With A Camera” followed the scorching opener, then a preview of new music with the tune “Nobody Does it like You,” an instantly catchy sing along with big choruses and a stone’s influence in the riffs. The song seems destined to become a Struts staple that more than holds up alongside their other hits.

Concentrating on the best of their two previous releases, 2016’s Everybody Wants and 2018’s Young & Dangerous, the night’s energy was constant as band members Adam Slack (Guitar), Jed Elliot (Bass) & Drummer Gethin Davies complimented ringleader Spiller in entertaining the fans while churning out favorites such as “Fire,” “One Night Only,” and “I Do It So Well”

Another new tune the band previewed, “Low Key In Love” featured guitarist Slack on acoustic guitar with Spiller giving the crowd a crash course in the words for the chorus. The ballad showcased the singer’s vocal range while he encouraged the lovers in the audience to hold on to one another.
More Rockers followed including “Put Your Money On Me’ & “Where Did She go” before Spiller sat down at the piano for the ballad “Somebody New” and the bombastic “Ashes.”

With the show winding down Spiller asked how many in the crowd were at their first struts show, then welcoming them to “The Family Baby,” which is a fanatical fan base in itself. Rivaling the Dead Heads and KISS Army, the band’s hardcore fans known affectionately as “Strutters” travel from show to show and are a close knit community, many of whom befriend each other for life and socialize outside of the concerts.

Closing with “Could Have Been Me” The Struts left the stage after an hour and 45 minutes of pure Rock N Roll fun that engaged the diverse crowd from the opening notes and did not mention politics, religion or any other message other than enjoy your life and have fun. Now isn’t that refreshing.

In just a few years, The Struts have found themselves massively embraced by some of the greatest icons in rock-and-roll history. Along with opening for The Rolling Stones, The Who, and Guns N’ Roses, the U.K.-bred four-piece was hand-picked by Mötley Crüe to serve as the supporting act for their 2016 performances, while Dave Grohl praised them as the best band to ever open for Foo Fighters. After making their full-length debut with 2016’s Everybody Wants, The Struts returned with YOUNG&DANGEROUS — (2018) a sophomore album that cements their status as one of the most unstoppably passionate and endlessly thrilling bands making rock music today.

TheStruts.com          Facebook.com/TheStruts

Starcrawler

Born on the streets of Los Angeles, Starcrawler are a band of misfit rock & rollers for a new generation. A Starcrawler show is both a classic arena rock show and a truly 21st century transgressive piece of art. Led by Lead singer Arrow de Wilde’s cathartic and often violent performances: diving into the audience covered in blood at the end of the night, stealing phones and clothes from the audience, writhing and crab walking across the stage before climbing the rafters; the band brings an unforgettable chaotic electricity to every concert.

Musically, the rhythm section of Austin Smith (drums) and Tim Franco (bass) carry a heavy presence, and 18 year old wunderkind Henri Cash (guitar) plays the perfect foil to Arrow de Wilde with an undeniable style and performance of his own, tearing at the guitar with a massive sound like few have before him and attempting to one up de Wilde’s performance every night, throwing his instruments and diving into the crowd. 

Their album "Devour You" is out now on Rough Trade Records. Produced by Nick Launay and recorded at Sunset Sound.

StarcrawlerMusic.com        Facebook.com/StarcrawlerTheBand
 

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