Remember when music was fun? Remember when rock music wasn't a parody played on itself? Remember when passion, sincerity, and the term "blood, sweat, and tears" weren't just a marketing scheme? We do too.
So, we introduce to you: THE STRIPT. Formed in October 2006 with brothers Mike Lorenzo on vocals and Bryan Lorenzo on drums, their goal was only to create music that they loved, and loved plaing. Hollywood-born Brian Lerner and local Steve Grisanti were both recruited to join the brothers after their touring acts disbanded. The band started writing immediately, and right away people all across Vegas and surrounding states began talking about the new style of rock'n'roll.
2007 was a busy year for THE STRIPT. The band was invited to play to a sold-out crowd at the grand opening of a Las Vegas venue in January, and then recorded and released a six-song EP in April. The EP has since received reviews both nationally and internationally, most recently received an 8 out of 10 in Classic Rock magazine! Wanting to spread their sound beyond the Las Vegas valley, THE STRIPT took the show to the road.
On two separate tours, in just 10 weeks, the band experienced both success and behind-the-music worthy horror stories across over half the nation. The entire west coast, northwest, southwest, and Texas have all felt the intensity of a live performance by THE STRIPT. They've opened for a wide variety of acts including The Cab, Veins of Jenna, Escape the Fate, LA Guns, Metal Skool (now known as Steel Panther) and most recently for Metro Station to a sold out crowd. Regardless of the location or age of the crowd, The STRIPT turns heads and gains fans wherever they go. One year later, the final puzzle piece was added in the form of guitarist Maro Chon.
Earlier this year, the now five-piece headed to The Studio at the Palms, the hotel's state-of-the-art recording studio, and recorded a new single Ugly Love. The studio's talented Mark Gray (The Killers, Panic at the Disco, Elton John) helped the band recorded their most mature song to date.
Developing its own spin on rock music while paying homage to the past, THE STRIPT respectfully takes its influences from bands spanning the decades and rock genres. These include Rolling Stones, Guns N' Roses, The Bronx, My Chemical Romance, Led Zeppelin, The Hives and New York Dolls, among others. "We aren't trying to 'bring rock back' or reinvent the wheel," says Mike Lorenzo. "We love music, and want to play it the way we think it should be played. This is our whole life."
With all the success also came a hard blow to the band. Following an amazing show opening for Metro Station, the band headed home and their van, filled with their equipment, was stolen during the night. The band was left with nothing. Leave it to the generous music community of Las Vegas to rally to their support. Jillian's Las Vegas, Guitar Center, Vegas Rocks magazine, Area 108 radio station and Las Vegas-based The Cab, teamed up and put on a benefit concert featuring local bands, raising more than $3,500 for the band. In no time, THE STRIPT was back on their feet and ready to rock.
More music and experiences are yet to come from this band on the verge of breaking into the mainstream. You can check them out, regularly spinning on Las Vegas station Area 108 (107.9 FM on the dial) or at www.myspace.com/thestript.
Band Bio From: The Stript's Myspace
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| BRYAN / Drums |
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| MIKEY / Vocals |
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| BRIAN / Guitar |
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| STEVE / Bass |
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| MARO / Guitar |
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| The Stript 2008 |
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Most Photos by Joanne Vitale, used with permission from "The Stript"
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