The Struts: Glam Rock Revivalists

The Struts are a British rock band known for their flamboyant, high-energy revival of classic glam and arena rock. Hailing from Derby, England, the group has carved a distinct niche with their anthemic songwriting and electrifying live shows. Their debut album, Everybody Wants, achieved notable success, particularly in the United States where it charted on the Billboard 200 and spawned a platinum-selling single.

Early career

The Struts formed in 2012, initially under the name "The Midnight Bonfires," before solidifying their lineup and sound. Frontman Luke Spiller, guitarist Adam Slack, bassist Jed Elliott, and drummer Gethin Davies honed a bombastic style drawing from 1970s and 1980s rock giants. Their early self-released EP, Kiss This, in 2012, generated enough buzz to attract the attention of major label Interscope Records, which signed the band the following year.

Breakthrough

The band's major label debut, Everybody Wants, was released in 2014 in the UK and saw a wider international release in 2016. While initial UK reception was modest, the album found a fervent audience in the US through relentless touring and strategic radio play. The single Could Have Been Me became a slow-burn hit, eventually being certified platinum by the RIAA and propelling the album to chart on the Billboard 200.

Key tracks

Could Have Been Me — This platinum-certified anthem served as the band's breakthrough single in the United States, defining their aspirational rock sound.

Body Talks — A swaggering, riff-driven track that gained further traction through a 2018 re-recording featuring pop singer Kesha.

Primadonna Like Me — A standout from their second album, it encapsulates the band's glamorous, self-assured persona and theatrical delivery.

Dirty Sexy Money — This song, featuring guest vocals from The Strokes' Albert Hammond Jr., showcased the band's ability to attract notable collaborators.

The band's second studio album, Young & Dangerous, arrived in 2018, further cementing their reputation with a polished, maximalist rock production. They have since collaborated with a diverse range of artists, including Robbie Williams, Tom Morello, and Def Leppard's Joe Elliott and Phil Collen, who co-wrote and appeared on tracks for their 2020 album Strange Days. Their most recent studio effort, 2023's Pretty Vicious, was praised for its raw energy and a return to a grittier rock sound.

Fans of The Struts' glam-infused rock often enjoy the work of similar UK acts. The Darkness shares a similar commitment to high-camp theatrics and massive guitar hooks. Arctic Monkeys explored a comparable swaggering, retro-rock direction on their album AM. Royal Blood delivers a modern, heavy take on the duo-based rock anthem. Muse parallels The Struts' ambition for crafting expansive, operatic rock designed for large venues.

The Struts' catalog is a staple on many classic rock and modern rock radio stations, fitting seamlessly between heritage acts and contemporary alternative rock. Their anthems like Could Have Been Me receive regular spins on mainstream rock FM stations and dedicated online rock radio streams, energizing playlists with their timeless, crowd-pleasing sound.

Listeners can discover the explosive glam rock of The Struts on a variety of radio stations featured on our website. Tune in to stations available on onairium.com to hear their biggest hits and latest tracks broadcasting live.