If you’re one to keep up with the European rock scene, you’ve undeniably heard of the four-piece rock ensemble, The Struts. The danceable glam rock band from Derby, England has been making music since 2010. And after touring across the United Kingdom with McFly, the British band made popular by the 2006 Lindsay Lohan flick, “Just My Luck,” in 2011, The Struts have finally ventured across the Atlantic Ocean for their first American tour.
And in preparation for their upcoming stop at Mercury Ballroom, Louisville has been dancing to the band’s Billboard Hot 100 hit, “Could Have Been Me” all summer long as 93.1FM has played it repeatedly - and we’re not complaining, it’s our jam!
To share some deeper insight on what The Struts are about, the band’s talented frontman, Luke Spiller spoke with Louisville.com.
Louisville.com: You’re currently touring all across America to promote your new EP, “Have You heard.” What is your personal favorite song from this EP?
Luke Spiller: “We’re touring for ‘Have You Heard’ just to give those interested a little piece of what we are. My favorite song is ‘Put Your Money on Me.’ We recorded it in southern Spain and a lot of blood and sweat and tears went into it. We made the trip there from Derby [England] in one very long drive and we really pushed ourselves to the absolute limit with it.”
Louisville.com: As an English rock band touring the United States for the first time, what are you guys most excited to see in America?
Luke Spiller: “Well we’ve been in New York, we’ve done LA, but we’re going to be going all over. I’m guessing Texas should be really cool. We’re also doing the Bowery Ballroom in New York, and I think that’s definitely going to be one of our highlights.”
Louisville.com: What’s the craziest thing you’ve seen on this tour so far?
Luke Spiller: “We’ve had a few crazy fans, not too many particularly crazy experiences. We played the House of Blues in San Diego and we drove back to LA after the show and had one girl follow our bus all the way back.”
Louisville.com: You guys have a pretty distinct sense of style. Who are your influences?
Luke Spiller: “We take a lot of influences from the 70’s. I love bands that can generate a character through their look and the music. You know, we dress the way we want to. At the end of the day, it’s about the music. Here we are, this is what we do. Like it or leave it, basically, it’s your choice. In terms of music, Rod Stewart and Keith Richards, who is probably the best dressed man in rock and roll. And I like the Queen look, it has a kind of gothy spin on it.”
Louisville.com: What can we expect from The Struts in the future?
Luke Spiller: “We have an album dropping in the new year, which we’re still working on while we’re not touring. We’re in and out of the studio in LA. Obviously, we’re going to be doing more videos. We’re looking forward to getting some new ideas going. We want to make some new visuals for everyone. And I’m sure we’ll be all over the states [touring for the new album]. We wouldn’t want to go anywhere else. We love the people, the places, the fashion, even the food.”
You can purchase tickets to see The Struts at Mercury Ballroom on Saturday, September 12 on the venue’s website. For more information on the band and to listen to the new EP, “Have You Heard,” visit The Struts’ offical website and follow them on Twitter.
Photos courtesy of The Struts.
