The Strokes @ Unipol Arena in Bologna

About the artist

The Strokes are an American rock band formed in New York City in 1998, consisting of Julian Casablancas (lead vocals), Nick Valensi (guitar, keyboard, backing vocals), Albert Hammond, Jr. (rhythm guitar, keyboard, backing vocals), Nikolai Fraiture (bass) and Fabrizio Moretti (drums, percussion). Met with wide-spread critical acclaim, the Stroke’s 2001 debut, Is This It in 2001, helped ushered in the garage rock revival movement of the early-21st century—and ranks number four on Rolling Stone's 100 Best Debut Albums of All Time, number two on Rolling Stone's 100 Best Albums of the 2000s, and 199 on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. While a number the Stroke’s members have embarked on a variety of side projects, the band regrouped for a fifth album, Comedown Machine, released on March 26, 2013. The Strokes have sold over 5 million albums to date.