The Struts epitomise the spirit of Rock and Roll so much because their music links you to the past while remaining anchored in the present. Inevitably these midlanders were destined to relocate to LA and have become a huge deal in the US while still doing very well this side of the pond. Gary Trueman chatted to guitarist Adam Slack about relocating, playing the big stages and what he most misses since the move.
You’re back in the UK now not far from where you originated in Derby. The band relocated to LA a while back. So you’re home in a way?
“Yeah I grew up five minutes drive from here so I could hear Download Festival every summer from my garden. We are US based now but I love coming home. All my family and friends are here.”
Is it a bit of an emotional return?
“I think so. The dream was always to play this kind of festival, or Download in particular as a kid, and doing the main stage. Having all my friends and family here I wouldn’t say it was emotional, I’m more a bit nervous. When you don’t know people it’s easier to play in front of them. I’ve got people messaging me from school saying I can’t wait to see you and I’m like, I hope I don’t fuck it up.”
You moved to LA and the style of music you play fits with that vibe. Was that a part of the reason for the move?
“The reason was we were signed in the UK and everything and then we got immediately dropped. Then we managed to open for the Rolling Stones in Paris and then our songs started getting played a lot on the radio in America and then we had a tour sold out before we even set foot there. We haven’t looked back since. It’s such a big country we’ve just toured it relentlessly. We do come back here but it only takes two weeks to tour the UK. We get a lot more air play and TV stuff in America. They like us more there.”
So what’s the best thing about LA? It doesn’t rain much does it?
“It does rain sometimes. I actually love grey dull English weather, it makes me more creative. But I would say it is nice to have the sun shining most of the time. It is inspiring to get out of bed in the morning and take the dogs for a walk in the sun. There’s always something going on. There’s always great bands and artists playing there. And there’s great food too. I do live in the valley kind of away from it all.”
What do you miss the most about the UK?
“Digestives. A proper cup of tea. And I miss my family obviously, and my friends. I miss UK TV. I love watching The Chase. I still manage to catch Match Of The Day. I’m a Villa fan, even though I’m from Derby. Sorry! I miss going to Villa Park.”
The Struts have blown up really big and the music you play suits the big stage and the big occasion. You tour a lot doing gigs but do you also find you’re getting booked for a lot of big festivals too?
“We’ve been fortunate to open for some really big bands and play on their stages which has been great. Festivals like today is going to be amazing. We’re doing another festival tomorrow in Italy. The dream is to play Glastonbury and we still haven’t played that yet. We’ve played most of the big ones in America. We love being on the big stages. Like you said our music suits it and our front man Luke was born to be on the big stage. Our ambition hasn’t faltered from wanting to be on those stages headlining. We’re still young and we’re still wide eyed and bushy tailed, so that’s the dream. But if we stay at this level forever I’ll be happy with that too.”
Your last album ‘Pretty Vicious’ came out at the end of last year to critical acclaim and a positive response from fans. Presumably you’ll be touring off of that for a little while yet?
“Yeah. We have this run then we do a US run starting July 23rd for seven weeks. The we’re doing a UK and Europe tour in September and October. Then we’re done for the year. Then we’ll start looking to write.”
Do you set specific time aside to write or does it just happen when the creative mood takes you?
“It’s kind of a bit of both. All of us are writing individually and then we come together and bash ideas out. Sometimes we’ll work with collaborators like producers to help pull different inspirations out of us. I’ll come in with a riff or Luke will come in with a lyric and a producer will say why don’t you try it like this or that. It kinda gets you out of a box. At the moment I’m just banking as many melodies and riffs as I can.”
Any odd or nice tour or festival stories you’d like to tell?
“We have some lovely fans in America that follow us everywhere. In fact one of them called Wapps, he’s been to like 90 something shows.”
It’s pretty wet and muddy here at the moment. Have you got a festival survival tip for our readers?
As a fan I went to Leeds festival in 2013 and didn’t bring any wellies. I didn’t bring any today either. I saw Green Day and Biffy Clyro. My survival tip is bring dry shampoo, wet wipes and wellies. Oh and water.
Interview and photos by Gary Trueman