INVASION…ISpyStrangers

Bringthenoiseuk’s very own, Sammy-Marie was kindly invited down to a small venue in Coventry on Saturday to check out ISpyStrangers, who are rumoured to be the next best thing for 2010, after an appearance in Kerrang’s ‘Introducing’ Page.

On route to the venue, we got a little lost and asked a passerby for directions. He replied with helpful directions, adding “It’s a nice, little ‘gothy’ place with gigs on upstairs”. We could not wait to arrive after hearing this! The venue was as he said, compact, dark and dingy but this did not hold back ‘ISpyStrangers’ having a blast performing to around twenty fans. They opened their set with ‘The kind of dirty you can’t wash off’ Followed by the song ‘Drink up kid, We’ve got a revolution to start’ featured on their Myspace, which we had previously heard a sneak preview of before heading to the gig and simply loved the combination of gang vocals and catchy riffs.

The petite stage obviously did not appeal to front man Mikey White so, he dragged himself along with his taped up microphone and stand, down onto floor where he sang standing straight in the middle of the fans. ISpyStrangers remind us of a slightly younger version of ‘The Blackout’ due to their stage presence, especially the vocalists liking for swinging a microphone around and unique, catchy guitar solos. Funnily enough, The Blackout’s very own Vocalist, Sean Smith has been rumoured to be managing the guys and showing them the way by getting them on the line-up at local gigs including shows in Swansea and Liverpool. Do we think they can make it as big as fellow friends band The Blackout? We’d hope so! 9/10

We caught up with vocalist, Mikey White and Guitarist, Matt Smith after the show to see what else they have lined up for 2010.

Tonight was a very cosy show, do you enjoy playing these intimate gigs or does a larger crowd appeal to you more?

Matt: It doesn’t really matter if we’re playing to 4 or 400 people we always put everything into our live shows and try to have as much fun as possible. Playing live is everything to us.

For fans that haven’t yet heard of IspyStrangers, Describe your sound in three words?

Mikey: Rock and Roll!

The song you closed the set with tonight ‘We’re all gonna burn for this’ is incredibly catchy. Where did you get the inspiration to write a song with such a strong message?

Mikey: Burn for this is just basically about letting nothing stand in our way. We’ve been through quite a bit as band, in terms of the former band members not feeling the music industry is for them but we’re still here and we’re here to stay. It’s a fun party song too!

What are your plans for the rest of this year?

Mikey: We plan on playing as many shows as possible. We’re also recording and releasing our debut full-length album “The Kind of Dirty You Can’t Wash Off”, towards the end of the year.

Words: Sammy Marie

Photo: Marianne Harris

http://www.myspace.com/ispystrangers

Tags: invasion, ISpyStrangers, Mikey White, Sean Smith, The Blackout