Live Review: The Strypes, The Creases - Northcote Social Club

23 July 2014 | 3:10 pm | Annelise Ball

Splendour In The Grass festivities hit Melbourne in full force

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Brisvegan’s The Creases begin tonight’s Splendour In The Grass Northcote Social Club sideshow with massive cymbal action, alternating lead vocalists and sweaty garage rock tracks I Won’t Wait and Static Lines.

Lead vocalist/guitarist Joe Agius plays an intriguing Domino guitar looking more like an asymmetrical pizza covered in brightly coloured designs. Despite some persistent bass amp connection issues, the up-and-coming fellas maintain cool charm in front of the swelling sold-out crowd.

Irish teen prodigies The Strypes enter the stage looking every bit a bunch of baby-faced schoolies. Don’t be fooled though, these guys explode onstage with extraordinary energy, talent and total ballsy confidence. Performing for the very first time in Australia, The Strypes strut and stagger like complete veterans. Track after track of insane-tempo guitar riffs, manic harmonica and fast, intricate bass moves blast out with barely a break in between. Lead guitarist/vocalist Josh McClorey gives brash, insolent stares across the audience while thrusting his guitar up into the spotlights. Lead vocalist Ross Farrelly goes all mysterious by keeping dark black sunnies on all night. Commanding all to get moving and have a good time to She’s So Fine, sweaty happy punters comply.

Funkiness ensues when wild-eyed bass player Peter O'Hanlon goes nuts on I Can Tell, punctuated by melodic riffs and relentless drumming. The tempo mercifully drops into the majorly hip-swinging bluesy Angel Eyes, with McClorey flicking his pick on the riffs with a flourish.

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"Heart Of The City descends into total chaotic magic"

Got Love If You Want It turns into a rocking band-loving session with each member introduced to massive applause. McClorey switches to bass to let O’Hanlon loose with a wide-eyed stunned mullet stance before dramatic collapses into head-banging harmonica thrashing. Blue Collar Jane delivers more of the same incredible brash energy while Heart Of The City descends into total chaotic magic split into segments allowing wild applause, before they re-starting by gathering around the drum kit to jump back into action on cue.

Swaggering back onstage for an encore, The Strypes channel rock gods of old with a Rock Around The Clock riff intro to Rockaway Beach. Ending with an incredible cover of Louie, Louie, the band walk off sweaty, spent and completely magnificent.

Lucky Splendour-bound punters should absolutely not miss The Strypes. These four young dudes from Ireland clearly have everything it takes to be legendary. Catch them while you can.