The Struts & Black Pistol Fire
The Showbox // Seattle, WA // November 7, 2016
Photos by Rachael Dowd
Their show may have been on a Monday, but that didn’t stop The Struts from giving one of the greatest rock performances Seattle has seen in a long time. Opening up the night was two-man band Black Pistol Fire who wowed the crowd with their upbeat performance. Vocalist and guitarist Kevin McKeown managed to entertain the audience from start to finish, his guitar never leaving his hand.
Playing a handful of tracks from their latest album, Don’t Wake The Riot, McKeown ended their set by literally stopping for a drink at the bar, running off the stage and climbing into the bar for a beer before returning to the stage to finish their set. Black Pistol Fire’s groovy rock sound had fans on their feet. Their performance gained them new fans that night who will be sure to check out the band next time they swing through Seattle.
When The Struts took the stage a little after 10 PM that night, it was clear they were going to give it their all, delivering one of the most energetic and refreshing rock performances. Opening with their new single “Put Your Hands Up,” frontman Luke Spiller dazzled (literally) in a sequined outfit and glittery makeup, captivating the crowd with his enthusiasm and energy, living up to his reputation as one of the greatest frontman in the rock scene right now.
Their hit “Could Have Been Me” came third in their set, being a clear favorite for fans that were in attendance that night. Sounding as good live as they do on their recordings, each member of The Struts brought it and allowed fans to join in as much as possible. Fans sang the bridge of “Could Have Been Me” with such excitement that it seemed to even surprise Spiller, who had a huge smile on his face as they kicked into the chorus one last time.
Driving their groovy rock sound is the strong percussion beats and heavy guitar played out by the other members of The Struts — Adam Slack on guitar, Jed Elliott on bass, and Gethis Davies bringing it all together on the drums. “Kiss This,” another fan favorite off of their album, Everybody Wants, showcased the band’s ability to execute the nostalgic, groovy rock they present in such a way that it is completely reinvented and new. While they draw in inspiration from past rock generations, The Struts make their sound and each song they write their own– “Kiss This” being a prime example of the distinctiveness that sets them apart from any other rock act out there.
Their performance of “Mary Go Round” was a highlight of the night with Spiller’s vocals being some of his strongest and Slack really taking the lead with his guitar on this track. Mixing together strong percussion and both acoustic and electric guitar, “Mary Go Round” is that quintessential rock track we have been searching years to hear and have finally discovered.
Closing out their set with “Only Just a Call Away,” the band returned to the stage for an encore of “She Makes Me Feel” and “Where Did She Go.” Stripping down “She Makes Me Feel” to the bones, just two guitars and a hand percussion shaker, all four members of The Struts stood at the front of the stage and performed the song while the crowd in front of them softly sang along, allowing for an intimate atmosphere to be created between the band and their fans.
With big flashing lights and their sound sounding better than ever, The Struts closed with “Where Did She Go” as fans bursted with energy from beginning to end. Interacting with the crowd in as many ways possible, frontman Spiller instructed everyone in the venue to kneel down on the ground before jumping up as the chorus hit, the fans’ energy bouncing off the walls right until The Struts exited the stage.
While they are still working to break the States, it can be said that those that did not attend this show in Seattle will surely regret in the future. As The Struts continue to gain momentum and grow in popularity, it would be no surprise to see them in a venue twice as big next time they come through Seattle. With perfectly crafted rock songs that have caught the attention of generations both young and old, there is something in The Struts for everyone, and it’s only a matter of time before they find it.
