A Short History of the White Stripes

The White Stripes are originally from Detroit and the duo follow the MC5 and the Stooges, amongst others, in a line of bands that take rock 'n roll back to its source.

Just like Iggy Pop, Jack White was first a drummer before he turned his hand to frontman. He began with bands like The Go and Goober And The Peas, and first of all in another duo that was called Two Part Resin, which just like the White Stripes was made up of just guitar and drums. His partner in this band was Brian Muldoon and was sixteen years older that White. Muldoon ran the upholstery company where Jack White worked. Around this time he began his love affair with the blues, in particular the blues of Son House and Howlin' Wolf. Alongside this was his admiration for bands like AC/DC and Led Zeppelin.

It was during a rehearsal with Muldoon that Meg White first came into the equation. Her basic drums locked in to White's primitive blues guitar straight away. The two of them started to play live, mostly supporting local bands. However it was Jack White's other band The Go who were offered a deal first, a deal with Sub-Pop. Despite this White decided to decline the offer and carry on the White Stripes instead. The duo had already released two singles on the Italy label run by Dave Buick. The White Stripes' debut album, called 'The White Stripes' was then released and it was the band's musical simplicity which made people sit up and listen. The duo proved that they had a knack for knowing what to leave out of the mix, and when to throw in squalls of feedback or when to have moments of quiet. The standout track is 'Little People'.

Their second album, 'De Stijl', was then released and included blues harp and slide guitar. Though it was Jack White's screaming vocals which caught the ear and sounded like a cross between Robert Plant and Bon Scott. It took the template of their debut album and made the songs even rawer.

Their third album, 'White Blood Cells' was recorded in a better studio as the band had gained quite a following by now and their label decided to give the band a chance to fulfill their obvious potential. The results are a bigger and fuller sound as well as more stylistic variety within their simple blues workouts. By this time, White had started to write and sing as if he were different people, taking on their personas and personalities. There are moments where he sounds for all the world like the Dickies, especially on 'Fell In Love With A Girl', and at other times he is virtually crooning, as on 'The Protector'.

'Dead Leaves And The Dirty Ground' is seriously broody and has a great guitar sound, while the throwaway rag of 'Hotel Yorba' comes with loose drumming a fine sing-a-long chorus.

Next up was 'Elephant' and sees the band have some degree of commercial success though at times seems over-ambitious. Though retaining their trademark sound there are times when White seems to be struggling to come up with a new take on his simple blues. Traditional blues artists like Robert Johnson and Son House have always been respected for their commitment to musicianship and the blues style. However the White Stripes are ultimately influenced by the likes of Black Sabbath and AC/DC and it is futile to compare the duo to these rock goliaths. They take the idea of rock back to its beginning, to the blues and their songs do not depend on studio trickery and production sheen to come alive and breath. They sometimes overreach on 'Elephant' and try for something beyond their craft and technique permits and it is when White keeps things simple and primal when the album comes alive. Though above all, its the killer riff, just one solitary riff, on 'Seven Nation Army', which has taken the White Stripes to the heady commercial heights where they now live. Yes, the blues really are that simple.