The Strokes/White Stripes

Posted by: Tim Jones on 04 September 2001

I bought the Strokes EP (The Modern Age) which was OK, the title track being a grower, if a rather obvious VU rip off. But they might just be poor little rich kids slumming it with us deadbeats before they go to Yale Law School.

Having heard Peel playing the White Stripes I bought a couple of albums. There's no denying the electrifying nastiness of the guitar playing, but they do seem a bit a one-trick pony. Still if you go to their gigs you might just meet Kate Moss.

Playing 'Search and Destroy' at extreme volume tends to put both bands in perspective quite nicely I find.

PS Whatever happened to the biggest rip-off band of all time, Menswear? Every single song sounded not just a bit like Wire, but actually as if they were a kind of uninteresting cover band.

Tim J

Posted on: 05 September 2001 by Steve Catterall

I've been listening to the album quite alot this week, and I'd say they remind me more of the New York Dolls, rather than the VU. There's enough orinality and energy there to get me past any similarities though. I actually think this is one case when the hype is justified ... and live they are even better, which is always a good sign.

I do agree with you about the White Stripes however.

Posted on: 05 September 2001 by woodface

Having heard one of the tracks off the album recently I cannot say I would be willing to take a punt on it! I think there is a strong element of 'The Fall' in their sound, the distorted vocals are very Mark E Smith. This could be a coincidence? I think I would find the album very distracting as I would end up playing 'spot the influences'!