Concert Reports
The Struts
12/04/2023, Fremont Theater, San Luis Obispo
The charismatic quartet of Brit rockers known as The Struts brought their high energy show to The Fremont Theater in San Luis Obispo on December 4, touring behind their fourth studio album and first full-length release with Big Machine/John Varvatos Records. Now available , the 11-track record, Pretty Vicious, is out everywhere.
All Photos: Ray Soto / Central Coast Rocks
Rock N Roll is not dead, in fact it has been given an adrenaline shot to the heart by a band called The Struts. The UK Rockers came steamrolling into San Luis Obispo’s Fremont Theater and promptly began to blow the roof off the place. Hitting the stage after an air raid siren alerted the capacity crowd the festivities were about to start, charismatic lead singer Luke Spiller had complete control over the audience before the first words of the opening song “Dirty Sexy Money” were belted out. Guitarist Adam Slack, Bassist Jed Elliot and Drummer Gethin Davies round out the group.
“This is a Rock N Roll show, Scream it like you mean it SLO”, Spiller said to the already enthusiastic crowd as is they needed any more reason to go wild. “Ladies & Gentlemen, Boys & Girls, and everything in between. We are The Struts from The United Kingdom, are you ready for a good time,” the singer added right before the band launched into “Body Talks”, “Fallin With Me” and “Too Good at Raising Hell” the first single off the latest album Pretty Vicious
The Struts did a masterful job with the night’s setlist, interspersing older classics such as “Kiss This,” In Love With a Camera,” and “Primadonna Like Me” with newer songs “I Wont Run,” and “Pretty Vicious.” With each new Struts release, in this case the new Pretty Vicious there are more than a few songs that become classics and that the fans demand the band play live, a testament to the band’s songwriting filled with catchy hooks and choruses. Just put on any of The Struts releases: “Everybody Wants,” “Young & Dangerous,” “Strange Days,” and the newest “Pretty Vicious,” and there is no way you will not be singing along with the instantly catchy songs that fill each CD top to bottom
The tongue in cheeck “Rockstar,” & “In Love With a Camera,” followed, then Spiller sat down on the piano for “One Night only,” the power ballad showcased the singer’s vocal range while the band held down the harmonies. More Rockers followed including “Wild Child,” from 2020’s “Strange Days” With the show winding down Spiller asked how many in the crowd were at their first struts show, then welcoming them to “The Family Baby,” which is a fanatical fan base in itself. Rivaling the Dead Heads and KISS Army, the band’s hardcore fans known affectionately as “Strutters” travel from show to show and are a close knit community, many of whom befriend each other for life and socialize outside of the concerts.
Closing their show with a one two punch of “Put Your Money On Me, & “Could Have Been Me,” The Struts left the stage after a night filled with amazing songs, high energy and pure Rock N Roll fun that engaged the diverse crowd and left them screaming for more.
Pretty Vicious
The charismatic quartet of Brit rockers known as The Struts have announced their fourth studio album and first full-length release with Big Machine/John Varvatos Records today. Now available, the 11-track record, Pretty Vicious, is out everywhere
The Platinum-selling rock juggernauts, who have collaborated with the likes of Kesha and Tom Morello and opened for The Rolling Stones and Foo Fighters (the latter of which dubbed them “the best opening band we’ve ever had“), seem to have finally hit their stride as they’ve harnessed the raucous nature of their live shows and transmuted it into an full-length project. Produced by The Struts, alongside Julian Raymond (Freddie Mercury, Cheap Trick), and executive produced by Scott Borchetta, the group has managed to infuse their arena-sized energy into their most concentrated and exciting songs to date.
“This record showcases each individual member’s strengths,” Spiller says of their impending album. “It’s some of my favorite music, hands down, we’ve ever conjured up. It’s the record everyone’s been waiting for.”
The band’s swaggering lead single, “Too Good at Raising Hell,” is out now on all platforms. Directed by Chris Applebaum (Rihanna, Miley Cyrus), the accompanying visual sees the band’s horn-adorned lead singer cheekily contemplating the consequences of a hard-partying, rock n roll lifestyle. Packed with a driving chorus and climbing guitars, the new song is the perfect introduction to a freshly-perfected sound brimming with riotous, arena-ready tracks. Get Pretty Vicious HERE
Pretty Vicious Track Listing
1. “Too Good At Raising Hell”
2. “Pretty Vicious”
3. “I Won’t Run”
4. “Hands On Me”
5. “Do What You Want”
6. “Rockstar”
7. “Remember The Name”
8. “Bad Decisions”
9. “Better Love”
10. “Gimmie Some Blood”
11. “Somebody Someday”
Fremont Theater
Located in the heart of downtown San Luis Obispo, CA, the Fremont Theater is a historic movie theater, built in 1941. Throughout its early years it served both as a moving picture theater and a live entertainment venue. In the late 20th century, developers wanted to raze the building to install a new multiplex, but public outcry saved the theater. Full of rich, art deco charm, this theater has hosted everything from war bond shows to Adam Ant and Yes.
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