The Strokes

The Strokes are an American rock band from New York City, still active and touring as of 2024. They are widely credited with sparking the garage rock revival of the early 2000s, influencing countless bands that followed. Their debut album Is This It remains a touchstone, often appearing on lists of the greatest albums ever made. The band has sold millions of records worldwide, with Is This It achieving platinum status in the US and UK. Their sound blends jangly guitars, tight rhythms, and Casablancas' distinctive, laconic vocals. Fans admire their consistency, the same five members since the beginning, and their ability to evolve while keeping a core identity. The New Abnormal (2020) brought them back into the spotlight, winning a Grammy and proving their relevance decades into their career.[edit]

Julian Casablancas met Nick Valensi at age 13 at the Dwight School in Manhattan. The two bonded over music and began jamming. Casablancas later attended boarding school in Switzerland, where he met Albert Hammond Jr., whose father was a famous songwriter. After returning to New York, Casablancas reconnected with Valensi and brought in Hammond. Nikolai Fraiture, a childhood friend of Casablancas, joined on bass, and Fabrizio Moretti, met at a party, completed the lineup on drums. There were no auditions or training, just friends playing together in Casablancas' apartment. They practiced for years, honing a sound that mixed 1970s punk, 1980s new wave, and 1990s indie rock. In 2001, they recorded a three-song demo that became The Modern Age EP. Released on Rough Trade, it created a buzz that led to a bidding war. They signed with RCA and quickly recorded Is This It with producer Gordon Raphael. The album came out in summer 2001, just as the garage rock revival was taking off.[edit]

The Strokes' music is built on interlocking guitar lines, driving bass, and crisp drums, with Casablancas' slurred, conversational vocals floating above. Early albums like Is This It and Room on Fire favored lo-fi production, jangly chords, and tight song structures. First Impressions of Earth introduced darker, more experimental elements, longer songs, heavier textures. Angles and Comedown Machine incorporated synthesizers, drum machines, and polished pop sheen, reflecting a more fractured recording process. The New Abnormal returned to a rawer sound under producer Rick Rubin, blending garage rock with new wave and synth-pop. Lyrically, Casablancas writes about relationships, urban life, and existential boredom, often with a wry, detached humor.[edit]

The Strokes spearheaded the early-2000s garage rock revival, paving the way for bands like The Libertines, Arctic Monkeys, and Kings of Leon. Their fashion, leather jackets, skinny ties, ripped jeans, became a blueprint for indie style. Is This It is regularly cited as one of the most influential albums of the 2000s, appearing on countless best-of lists. The band's DIY ethos and refusal to chase pop trends inspired a generation of musicians. Julian Casablancas' political activism, including founding Cult Records and supporting Bernie Sanders' 2020 campaign, added a layer of social engagement to their legacy. They also helped revive interest in New York rock scene at a time when nu-metal and boy bands dominated.[edit]

Strokes fans, often called the Strokes Army, are known for their loyalty and deep knowledge of the band's catalog. While there is no official lightstick or fan color, fans have organized virtual listening parties, such as the 2020 event for The New Abnormal during the pandemic. The band's live shows are celebrated for their energy and tight performances, with fans often singing along to every word. Online communities on Reddit, Discord, and Twitter keep discussions alive about setlists, bootlegs, and solo projects.[edit]

Julian Casablancas is the son of John Casablancas, founder of Elite Model Management. Albert Hammond Jr. is the son of singer-songwriter Albert Hammond. The band's name was inspired by a line in the 1971 film The French Connection. The cover of Is This It features a photograph of a nude woman's hip and glove, which was replaced in some markets due to sensitivity. The band recorded First Impressions of Earth at Electric Lady Studios in New York. The Strokes have never had a top 40 hit on the Billboard Hot 100, but have achieved significant alternative radio and album sales success.[edit]