The Strokes

The Strokes is an American alternative rock band. Formed in New York City in 1999, the band consists of vocalist Julian Casablancas, lead guitarist Nick Valensi, rhythm guitarist Albert Hammond Jr., bassist Nikolai Fraiture and drummer Fabrizio Moretti.

In January 2001, The Strokes released a demo EP, “The Modern Age,” on independent record label Rough Trade.

The band signed with RCA Records, and released their debut LP “Is This It” in August 2001. Helped by singles "Hard to Explain" and “Last Night” the album debuted at #2 in the U.K. and #33 on the Billboard 200 Albums chart. The album sold more than two million copies worldwide, and was certified platinum in the UK.

The group released their next LP, “Room on Fire,” in October 2003. The album did well on the charts, reaching #2 and going platinum in the U.K., while peaking at #4 in the U.S. Three singles were released from the album "12:51", "Reptilia", and "The End Has No End" with "12:51," reaching #7 in the U.K.

The band's album “First Impressions of Earth” was released in January 2006. “First Impressions of Earth” entered the U.K. Albums chart at #1, The Strokes' first album to take the top spot, while it reached #4 in the U.S. It was preceded by lead single "Juicebox" which became the first single by the group to break onto the Billboard Hot 100 Singles chart, and was its highest-charting effort in the U.K., where it reached #5. "Heart in a Cage" was the album's second single, followed by "You Only Live Once."

Their fourth studio album, “Angles” was released in 2011 and reached #4 on the Billboard 200 and #3 in the U.K. "Under Cover of Darkness" was released as the first single.