The Strypes, O2 Institute, Birmingham - review
They burst on the scene as fresh-faced teenagers in 2013 - but how have The Strypes coped with growing up in the world of rock and roll?
The four piece, hailing from Cavan, Ireland, were childhood friends who grew up on the music of Bo Diddley, Dr Feelgood, Chuck Berry and various other blues artists.
They kicked off their latest UK tour last night to promote their third record, Spitting Image.
Speaking before the show at Birmingham's O2 Institute, bassist Pete O'Hanlan spoke of a whirlwind four years which has seen the group play all over the world, support Arctic Monkeys on a UK tour and win the hearts of artists such as Elton John, Noel Gallagher and Paul Weller, who they will go on tour with next year.
He said: "It has been crazy for sure, but sometimes you have to step back and realise just how lucky you are.
"We are living our dream, playing music and getting opportunities to see the world that most never get.
"It is easy to be cynical and blame others when things go wrong but we are a tight group and we haven't really had any major problems in terms of our friendship."
The show itself was as raw as it gets and a reminder that, even in this day and age, guitar music can still be done with style and quality.
The Strypes may not be reinventing the wheel, but they do bring an energy to their live shows that few can compare with.
A number of Spitting Image tracks got a live airing but unfortunately, the sound quality on the evening just wasn't there and the more subtle, intricate guitar lines that pepper the record were lost in a muddy mix.
But that didn't take away from the individual quality of each of the players, who are incredibly strong and played like their lives depend on it.
It was the material from debut album Snapshot and follow up EP Four Track Mind that really pushed the show forward a gear, thanks in part to the in-your-face quality of the material the band were writing at that time.
Speaking of the groups progression, bassist Pete said: "We can't think of things in terms of what is our legacy going to be.
"We just want to ride this wave for as long as we can, stay humble and keep writing and recording.
"Getting the chance to tour arenas with Wellet next year is a great opportunity for us, his work from The Jam all the way through to his latest solo album is all unbelievable.
"When you look at what The Jam did, they had so many number ones and it's like, when did a guitar band last do that?"
It's hard not to feel a bit sorry for The Strypes who, musically speaking, are as talented as the majority of the classic groups who inspired them, simple because it doesn't appear the time is right for them to replicate that success.
However, there will always be a place for live music and at the moment, if rock and roll is your thing, The Strypes offer perhaps the best value for money on the market.
