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The Struts perform at Lincoln Theatre on Sept. 7, 2021. (Photos by Rashad Polk)
The Struts rolled through D.C. recently, taking over the historic Lincoln Theatre to deliver a genuine rock and roll show.
Jed Elliott (left) with The Struts (Photo by Beth Saravo)
On Oct. 16, The Struts released the band’s third album, Strange Days. Managing to record a new album in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic proved difficult. But after a round of tests to ensure everyone’s health and safety, the band moved in together and recorded the entire album from a home-studio over the course of just 10 days. Recording in a way they hadn’t before, during a time unlike any other, The Struts managed to capture the emotions of this moment in history, while balancing it with the fun escapism that many seek through their music.
With the addition of multiple major artists featured throughout the album, and even a cover of a Kiss deep-cut, The Struts pulled off an album that is true to their style, while simultaneously advancing their sound to levels not heard before.
Soon after the album’s release, The Struts bassist Jed Elliott spoke with Parklife DC’s Chris Smyth about all things Strange Days and how the band has been keeping busy during the pandemic.
Mickey McCarter was *thrilled* to see the classic lineup of Berlin reunite. (Photo by Jason Nicholson)
Editor’s Note: This year, we asked our bloggers to name their Top 10 shows of 2019 or choose their Top 10 photos of the year. We will run them over the course of mid-December as our Best of the Year posts.
Many of our bloggers work as one-man bands. They travel to a show, shoot it, and write it up. But as Parklife DC editor, I frequently work in collaboration with others. And so I have the opportunity to travel to shows I might otherwise not see in support of bloggers who are there to shoot (usually) or write (occasionally) about the program.
Luke Spiller fronts The Struts at 9:30 Club on Aug. 7, 2019. (Photo by Chris Smyth)
The Struts returned to the 9:30 Club less than one year from the last time they performed there. But while there hasn’t been a long passage of time since their last performance in October, much has happened.
Greta Van Fleet performs at 9:30 Club on July 20, 2018. Chris Smyth chose another photo from this show as one of his 10 Best of the Year. (Photo by Chris Smyth)
Editor’s Note: This year, we asked our bloggers to name their Top 10 shows of 2018 or choose their Top 10 photos of the year. We will run them over the course of mid-December as our Best of the Year posts.
When I was asked to write a piece about my 10 favorite photos from the past year, initially I was very excited to do it. It seemed like an enjoyable way to recap what has been an exciting year of concert coverage. I joined Parklife DC in March, but as of this writing, I have been fortunate to have covered 21 shows, and I produced a total of 28 reviews. This has been far more fun than I ever could have imagined.
Luke Spiller fronts The Struts at Rams Head Live on Nov. 18, 2018. (Photo by Mickey McCarter)
When introducing a new song by The Struts at Rams Head Live recently, frontman Luke Spiller confessed he made the mistake of reading the comments to the song’s video on YouTube.
“The Struts should stick to what they know,” read one disgruntled comment on the song “Bulletproof Baby.”
Undeterred, the charismatic singer declared, “Fuck them. The Struts do what they want!”
Luke Spiller fronts The Struts at 9:30 Club on Oct. 8, 2018. (Photo by Chris Smyth)
Dave Grohl called them “the best opening band we’ve ever had.” That’s high praise, and something The Struts may never hear again if they continue performing with as much incredible excitement as they did at the 9:30 Club on Monday. Currently on their own headlining tour of America in support of their soon-to-be-released second full-length album, Young & Dangerous, The Struts danced and sang the night away. (Hey, check out our Parklife DC review of The Struts opening Foo Fighters at The Anthem’s grand opening in 2017!)
The Struts perform at The Anthem on Oct. 12, 2017. (Photo by Mickey McCarter)
Luke Spiller is a natural-born frontman. As vocalist for The Struts, Luke shook and shimmied his way across the stage to a sold-out crowd for the opening night of The Anthem on Thursday, serving roughly 6,000 people a desperately needed shot of rock ‘n’ roll.
The Struts @ Firefly’s Treehouse Stage (6/19/16) (Photo by: Jeremy Bailey)
The Struts are showmen through and through.
This glam rock band from England is certainly channeling Queen, especially with Luke Spiller’s voice as pure and resonate as Freddy Mercury’s. After all, their name is The Struts and that is what they did.
Their music is classic, exuberant rock and roll. They mobilized the Firefly crowd at the Lawn Stage to great heights of excitement and sing-a-longs. Anyone that didn’t know them going in, certainly walked away with full intention of adding them to their playlist on repeat.
