The US goes ‘Wilde’ for Cavan quartet

Jenny McGovern

On the 7 February 1964 four lads from Liverpool touched down on American soil and the face of music changed forever. Fifty years later, almost to the day four teenagers from Cavan have embarked upon their musical ascent of the USA.
There have always been comparisons between The Beatles and a certain other fab four from Cavan, so it comes as no surprise to see that the hype for The Strypes is reaching a fever pitch stateside.
Though their trip is short The Strypes have a jam-packed schedule of events lined up for their first US and Canadian visit.
 Their shows in New York, San Fransisco and Los Angeles have already sold out and they have been pencilled in for a performance on the hugely popular ‘Conan’ (Conan O’Brien) show on January 27. It was also announced last week that the Cavan lads will be returning to America at the end of February as special guests at the prestigious “Oscar Wilde: Honoring the Irish in Film” event on Thursday, February 27 at JJ Abrams’ Bad Robot production company in Santa Monica.
YouTube founder Chad Hurley and writer/producer Conan O’Brien will be honored on the night. The event has a stellar reputation for introducing Irish musical talent to the US and has seen the likes of Colin Farrell, Van Morrison, Paul Rudd, Julia Roberts, Tom Cruise, Jon Hamm, Michelle Williams and Kate Winslet in attendance.
Referring to the news Noelle Farrelly mother of singer Ross enthused: “I am bursting with pride for the lads and am so excited for them. This was only a dream few short years ago and who would have imagined it would come true. The US and Canada are in for a fast moving, room-shaking rock ‘n’ roll treat.” Peter O’Hanlon father of bassist Pete chimed in: “As parents, it is sometimes difficult to fully grasp the fact that Pete and the lads have played on three continents in as many months”. “We are fully aware of the wonderful support for Pete, Evan, Ross and Josh from the community that is Cavan, which we know is so important to the lads.” Josh’s dad Tommy McClorey added: “The response to the lads so far has been amazing and it’s brilliant to see that they’re already gaining fans in America. We’re all so proud of all they’ve achieved so far and can’t wait to see what else 2014 has in store for them.”
Speaking to The Celt about their upcoming trip guitarist Josh McClorey said: “We’re all really excited about the States, none of us have ever been there before so it’s going to be pretty cool. Unfortunately we don’t have much time to look around but hopefully on the next trip we will!”
Not only are the lads intent on ‘breaking the States’, the band recently announced that they’re working on their second album as well as releasing an EP in February. Speaking to 2fm’s Dan Hegarty at the Eurosonic festival last week, The Strypes said they would be releasing the follow-up to their debut Snapshot as soon as possible. “We have May blocked off for getting some ideas down and recording. There will be an EP out before that in February, with the album to follow later in the year ideally,” they said.