N80
Super Member
Years ago I posted a thread in this forum about how I thought traditional rock and roll was dead. Following the decline of alternative rock in the 1990s there really hasn't been too much new stuff for the rock and roll fan to get into. The classic rock stations play all the old standards but never any new stuff and not much other than the big hits. No 'B' sides, etc. I still think rock and roll is "mostly dead".
In that thread, whenever it was (I've searched and cannot find it), someone turned me on to Alabama Shakes (thanks again whoever it was!). What a great band. Their first album was amazing. The second album, not so much. It was well done and very, well, creative, but quite a departure from their first album. I don't mind this. I'd rather a band branch out and experiment rather than just repeatedly copy the one or two songs that made them famous.
The reason I'm posting this is that I recently discovered a new band that gives me a little hope. I saw the end of one of their concerts on Axess TV. They have opened for some big bands like the Stones and they have a pretty large fan base so its not like they are actually undiscovered....but I have not heard them on any radio stations. The name of the band is The Struts. Their music is a lot like the glam rock of the 1970's. Their songs are catchy with a slightly hard edge. Definitely closer to pop-rock than hard rock and definitely not progressive rock. But, if you liked Queen and Freddie Mercury or Sweet (Fox on the Run, Ballroom Blitz, etc) you'll like the Struts. They say they are amazing live and they have a great on-stage presence. The lead singer wears retro glam rock type cloths, eye shadow and all that kitsch but seems not to take himself too seriously and while he's no Freddie Mercury he can really belt them out. In a certain way they remind me of the Black Crows in terms of stage presence and 'freshness'. They are to glam rock what the Black Crows where to roots rock. A sort of fresh new look.
Anyway, for those of you into the older styles of rock, take a look at these guys. Nothing deep, serious or intellectual (like Rush, Yes, Pink Floyd) etc, but definitely some Queen vibe in there and even a little Zep.
In that thread, whenever it was (I've searched and cannot find it), someone turned me on to Alabama Shakes (thanks again whoever it was!). What a great band. Their first album was amazing. The second album, not so much. It was well done and very, well, creative, but quite a departure from their first album. I don't mind this. I'd rather a band branch out and experiment rather than just repeatedly copy the one or two songs that made them famous.
The reason I'm posting this is that I recently discovered a new band that gives me a little hope. I saw the end of one of their concerts on Axess TV. They have opened for some big bands like the Stones and they have a pretty large fan base so its not like they are actually undiscovered....but I have not heard them on any radio stations. The name of the band is The Struts. Their music is a lot like the glam rock of the 1970's. Their songs are catchy with a slightly hard edge. Definitely closer to pop-rock than hard rock and definitely not progressive rock. But, if you liked Queen and Freddie Mercury or Sweet (Fox on the Run, Ballroom Blitz, etc) you'll like the Struts. They say they are amazing live and they have a great on-stage presence. The lead singer wears retro glam rock type cloths, eye shadow and all that kitsch but seems not to take himself too seriously and while he's no Freddie Mercury he can really belt them out. In a certain way they remind me of the Black Crows in terms of stage presence and 'freshness'. They are to glam rock what the Black Crows where to roots rock. A sort of fresh new look.
Anyway, for those of you into the older styles of rock, take a look at these guys. Nothing deep, serious or intellectual (like Rush, Yes, Pink Floyd) etc, but definitely some Queen vibe in there and even a little Zep.