Is This It X

The Strokes reconveined on February 11, 2009 to start working on their fourth album.  To celebrate the return of the best rock ‘n’ roll band in the world, IsThisItX is posting one rare Strokes video per day.  On Monday, Wednesday and Friday these will songs you’ve never heard from my personal collection. On Tuesday, Thursday and once over the weekend, this will be a lesser-seen YouTube video.  Any tips? E-mail IsThisItX@gmail.com.

I thought I’ve seen all of the available YouTube videos from The Strokes, but then I was looking for a video for ISIX this morning and found the video below.  It’s The Strokes opening their $2 Bill show back in 2002.

The song they seemed to favor opening with during the Is This It days was NYCC – especially in the States.  As you certainly know, “New York City Cops” wasn’t released on the band’s United States CD because the album came out two weeks after the 9/11 attacks.

Which is really too bad, because, in my opinion, it’s one of their best songs.  I really like the raw power and simplicity, but also like the “they act like Romans, but they dress like Turks” line.  It’s not “The Modern Age” or “Someday”, but it’s still very, very good.

Oh, and before I give way to the video, it’s important to realize that this MTV concert was on a sound stage in Los Angeles.  It’s pretty lame, in terms of the set-up, but it still sounds really good.  If you’re looking for a badass crowd, check out this performance of “Take It Or Leave It” in Hawaii.  We’ll post that over the weekend.

Enjoy The Strokes performing “New York City Cops” in the relatively early days.

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For more updates on The Strokes, in addition to ISIX’s news and opinion, follow author Eric Van Dril and this site at www.twitter.com/isthisitx

Also, be sure to check out the The Strokes Countdown tab for all of ISIX’s news on The Strokes and their upcoming album.

Finally, check out IsThisItX’s YouTube channel.