RIGA - The red and white Detroit duo that brought music back to its basics has become one of the most exciting bands in the world today.
Hailed as saviors of rock and roll, even eight years after they broke out of Detroit and into the international scene, The White Stripes still don't do things quite like other bands.
One of a new breed of back-to-basics rock acts to emerge from Detroit, Michigan, USA, the White Stripes comprises enigmatic bass-free duo Jack White (guitar/vocals) and Meg White (drums). The Whites, variously assumed -and denied - to be husband and ex-wife or brother and sister formed their band in 1997. Judging from their looks it initially seemed likely that the duo were brother and sister, but the matter was confused when Jack White stated that the couple were once married and a marriage license and divorce certificate were posted on the Internet.
The Whites' striking stage presence, dressed in minimalist red and white outfits, is allied to their thrilling grasp of the rudiments of timeless rock music. In 1997, the duo released their debut single, "Let's Shake Hands" and, after one more single ("Lafayette Blues") for the label, they relocated to the leading independent Sympathy For The Record Industry, debuting with the single "The Big Three Killed My Baby".
In 1999, they released their first album "The White Stripes" which was very well received and made The White Stripes worldwide celebrities. During the next five years The White Stripes released four more albums and finally, in June 2005, they released their fifth album "Get behind me Satan", which they will be performing in Riga and Tallinn as part of their European tour.
"Get behind me Satan" is the strangest and least focused effort by these unlikely garage rock superstars. In a market increasingly driven by singles and downloads, it's nice to be reminded how exciting an album can be, especially one where you really don't know what to expect next. A lot fewer pounding guitars on this album, they've largely been replaced by pounding pianos. Most songs sound like rough cuts at first; almost every song has something exceptionally loud in the mix. And of course some of the old The White Stripes' style rock and roll songs should make the concert even more enjoyable and instill The White Stripes fans with lots of energy and positive emotions.
Even if you haven't heard of this band, it's never a bad thing to try something new and unusual, especially when the concert promises to be such an outrageous show.
And so should be the night of pure rock and roll with The White Stripes in Riga and Tallinn, where intensity and a raw sound will be dominant. No doubt the fans will leave the show entirely satisfied.
The concerts will be held in Riga at the Dream Factory on June 30 at 9p.m and in Tallinn at the Hollywood Club on June 29 at 8p.m
Ticket price:
15 - 25 lats (21- 36 euros)
395 's 445 kroons (25 's29 euros)
