The Strokes started the way every great band should. Five great friends gathered together to make the one thing they love most - music. Julian Casablancas delivering powerful vocals, Fabrizio Moretti pounding on his drums with an insane precision, Albert Hammond Jr. and Nick Valensi harmonizing between two sets of strings and bassist Nikolai Fraiture delivering the blood boiling bass lines are the individuals who make up this unique group.
During 2000 and 2001 the band played as many of downtown New York's music venues as possible. From Spiral and Luna Lounge to the well established Mercury Lounge where Ryan Gentles, who soon became their manager, recognized the group's talent. A three song demo was eventually cut, picked up by the U.K. label Rough Trade Records and pressed as-is. By June of 2001, The Strokes had become a phenomenon.
A sold out tour in the U.K. boosted the confidence and excitement of the group and before even signing a record deal they hit the studio to record their debut album. The 11- song LP titled 'Is This It' was released on August 27th, 2001 after being signed to RCA Records. The single 'Hard To Explain' was released in the states and was met with rave reviews. It reached number 16 in the U.K. charts and brought international magazine hype and a number of magazine covers and articles for the first time. The success of the new album was driven home with a sold out sixteen-date U.K. tour. Tickets for shows on the tour were being sold for as much as 200 pounds each.
Although the band did score a top 10 modern rock hit with 'Last Nite', was asked to open for the Rolling Stones and was named 2002's band of the year by Spin, 'Is This It' was only a minor commercial hit. Still, The Strokes youthful passion and exhilarating stage presence seems to have insured their iconic status. They became the new hot band and instantly, similar sounding groups flooded the music scene.
Touring continued throughout the year including a handful of shows with The White Stripes. Then on August 24th, 2002, despite the fact singer Julian Casablancas was on crutches, The Strokes headlined Reading Festival. Only a short time later, 'Some Day' became the third hit in the U.K. To continue in good stride and keep up with the pattern they had set, the band spent the next three months in America doing the Wyckyd Sceptre tour.
In 2003, with the help of producer Nigel Godrich, the band released their second album 'Room On Fire'. The album was recorded at TMF Studios on East 12th Street in New York between May and September of 2003 and is hailed, by many, as another masterpiece. From day one The Strokes have been a live band. They were playing live and touring clubs before they had ever cut a demo and that's why it should be no surprise when you find out The Strokes are coming to your town. To see this group live is an experience in itself, guaranteed to solidify a relationship with old fans and build new relationships with those who are just now realizing there is a 'Room On Fire'.
