The Strokes to Tour in March
by Chi | 00.00.0000

North America isn’t nearly big enough when it comes to supporting the weight of rock revolutionists the Strokes. Stages will be lit, and roofs (and rooms) set ablaze when Julian Casablanca(s) and his remaining four Humphrey Bogarts leave any and all other touring circuits in the ashes with their eight-week jaunt through our mother continent. Although the official expedition is expected to commence in mid-March, the group has also agreed to perform in Hollywood on Feb. 5, its chief concern to fund Vh1’s Save the Music Foundation. In the meantime, NY’s finest (with apologies to Jigga Man and Nasty Nas) is in the midst of wrapping up the Big Day Out tour in Australia, exporting some of Hollywood’s finest hunks and heroines (Crowe. Kidman. Gibson. Watts. Need I say more?).

Although the din of Strokes-mania has quieted down somewhat since their landmark debut, the band has experienced more than its allotted “12:51” of fame. Why else would a record--that's essentially Is This It Version 1.33--inspire critics everywhere to break out their biggest, shiniest words? Perhaps it’s due to the fuzzy wuzzy guitars and Julian’s retro-cool rasp. Or maybe because they make Velvet Underground seem so damn overground, in a damn good way. Sometimes though (admittedly not in this case, but sometimes...), it’s the namesake that propels one from stardom to cult-indie worship phenomenon. Because seriously folks, if you’re striving for the conquest of rock 'n’ roll, wouldn’t you wanna be called the Strokes? Rather than say, the Monkees?