Strokes n. 1. New York City rock group often compared to MC5 and Television; usually preceded by a definite article, The.
Their names all sound like those of philosophers. Except for Albert Hammond Jr., who sounds like a banker. Julian Casablancas, Nikolai Fraiture, Fabrizio Moretti, Nick Valensi and Hammond are The Strokes, a band that for better or worse will be credited in future issues of SPIN magazine for opening the floodgates of “new rock” on American soil.
Since the band’s 2001 lo-fi smash “Is This It” went gold, a steady stream of imitators snuck in the back door while the bouncer wasn’t looking.
Sure, The Vines are getting free and The Hives are leading an ascot revolution, but nothing either import recorded sounds as honest or fresh as the NYC five-piece does on the catchy radio hit “Last Nite.” And The White Stripes, though they make cute peppermints, never broke big until The Strokes did it first.
The Strokes turn up the amps in New Orleans tomorrow night when the band headlines a concert at the Saenger Theatre. Supporting acts will be Adam Green of the Moldy Peaches and Saturday Night Live star Jimmy Fallon.
When asked how he began touring with The Strokes, Green’s first response is, “Well, we’re both from New York, and they’re just some cool guys,” as if liking the band is the most natural thing in the world. For many fans, it is.
Sleepy-eyed drummer Moretti immediately thought of an artists’ brushstroke when he first heard the potential band name.
“But now I just think of five dudes standing around,” he says.
But, The Strokes have little time to stand still these days, writing and recording a new album and touring behind the latest single, the sweet shuffle of “Someday.”
Lead singer Casablancas prefers to keep the name a mystery, citing a number of things “stroke” can mean, from a medical emergency to a blow to the face.
The latter is a fairly accurate description of “Is This It,” an album Rolling Stone gave four stars and called “the stuff of which legends are made.” The Strokes need a few more releases before reaching legendary status, but its gritty, howling debut strikes most listeners like a ton of bricks.
“I say the right thing but act the wrong way / I like it right here, but I cannot stay / I watch the TV, forget what I’m told / Well, I am too young and they are too old,” Casablancas sings on “Hard To Explain,” a late 70s, metro-rock blitz.
Stemming perhaps from his bandmates’ touchy-feely demeanor, Moretti likes to dispel the many rumors about The Strokes.
“That we’re all gay or were on magazines before we had any songs, or that we were put together by Julian’s dad [Elite Modeling founder John Casablancas],” Moretti said. “Or that I’m going out with Drew Barrymore.”
The band keeps an enlightening journal from the tour bus on its official Web site, www.TheStrokes.com.
“Happy 24th Birthday to [bassist] Nikolai Fraiture. Nikolai shares a birthday with beloved actress Whoopi Goldberg and author Louis Brandeis. Nikolai enjoys fine sandwiches and playing cards,” the journal reads.
Expect to find Fraiture at Harrah’s with a catfish poor boy in hand after tomorrow night’s gig. The Strokes also will perform Thanksgiving night, Nov. 28 on “The Late Show With David Letterman.”