Backstage Pass with The Struts

The Struts returned to Stylus on Wednesday 20 July for what was another incredible performance, which marked the end of their UK homecoming tour. 

Some of our events team at LUU were lucky enough to meet the band – Luke Spiller (vocals), Adam Slack (guitar), Jed Elliott (bassist) and Gethin Davies (drummer) – backstage and ask all the questions every Strutter wants to know…

Q: What can we expect from tonight’s show?  

A: The band revealed that they would be playing an unreleased new single called ‘Falling With Me’. The exact release date for ‘Falling With Me’ is yet to be announced so keep your eyes open for that across the band’s socials!

With it being the last show of the UK tour, the band planned to go out with a bang, bringing their classic electric, high energy performance to the Stylus stage!

Q: What would you say is the biggest change you’ve experienced as a band since the last time you played here in 2019?

A: Leadsinger, Luke Spiller, explained that the band found ‘space to set up foundations and write’ in the lockdown years, and had to try to navigate what touring looks like working from home, something nobody had experienced before. After seven years of constant touring, the band could settle down and write, writing their new record in a swift ten days.

The band have changed record labels since they last came to play at Stylus, and are now signed by Big Machine, which the band are very excited to be a part of.

Q: Which bands do you look up to? Who are your influences? And has this changed over time? 

A: Luke said, ‘It really has. I’ve become very obsessed with Lana Del Rey and people like Scott Walker. It’s a funny thing to admit but I don’t really listen to a lot of rock anymore. I’m a little bit older now and my taste’s sort of changed.’ Jed Elliott, the band’s bassist, jokingly added that Luke’s ‘probably digested every bit of rock music that has ever existed’. 

The band said that they are always looking for inspiration, with Luke saying that you ‘can’t always help where this takes you.’ The band are looking outside of the rock genre for that inspiration, turning to movie scores and indie music as they create their sound. 

‘It’s just like you don’t want to read the same types of books all your life – it’s the same with music. Finding inspiration in different places, and welcoming it, is the only way you evolve.’ – Luke Spiller 

Q: You’ve toured with Foo Fighters, opened for The Rolling Stones, and recorded with Robbie Williams, but what would you say your career highlight is so far? 

A: ‘There’s been so many! Like when you mentioned The Rolling Stones, it was such an honour to get to do something like that, especially since Charlie passed. This was the same with Foo Fighters too, with Taylor passing. It was even more special to look back on because we were around that particular line up and that chemistry. We all feel extremely lucky to be in on that moment at that time and to have met them.’ – Luke Spiller

Q: What’s your favourite song to perform and why? 

A: The band shared that they’ve experienced an explosive reaction to their latest single in the crowd as it’s one that really gets everyone jumping. Luke commented that the song has been received in an incredible way that they haven’t experienced from a live performance before.

‘Us Brits, for some reason, jump more than anyone else.’ – Luke 

Q: What was your ‘We’ve made it’ moment?

A: ‘When Geth put the wings on at the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show.’ – Luke 

Fun fact: Drummer, Gethin Davies, is the only man to wear angel wings on the Victoria’s Secret catwalk. 

Gethin jokingly added that he “gave Kendall some advice”, telling her “you know, one day you’ll get there.”

Q: What music are you listening to right now? 

A: The band shared that they love the music of rock band Pinegrove. They also gave a mention to their friends and one of their former support acts: garage punk band White Reaper, which they recommended we give a listen to!

Q: If you could tell your fans one thing, what would it be?

A: ‘A massive, huge thank you. Our success is really all down to them. We’re just so thankful.’ – Luke on behalf of The Struts 

It was a real pleasure to interview The Struts, and we can’t wait to have them back at Stylus again soon! We wish them all the best on the rest of their global tour!

To keep up to date with all things The Struts, follow their instagram and check out their website for any updates.