Another year another birthday in a pandemic. As someone who used to plan fun-filled events for the day it was difficult to be stuck at home for my 30th and now, this Saturday, my 31st.

My Q97.9 morning show co-host, Lori, went above and beyond to make sure I had a special day last year and somehow she outdid herself this year.

Collecting Intel and The Set-Up

Lori asked me who my favorite bands were. One of them being The Struts. I thought maybe she was thinking of some band merch as a gift. I was so wrong.

I was told that my first birthday gift was for Wednesday at 11 am. I thought maybe lunch was being ordered. Great, I love food.

11 am rolls around and suddenly, we're receiving a call. I was confused and the gentleman on the phone was from Interscope Records. He then connected me with the living legend himself, Luke Spiller.

The Struts-Who is Luke Spiller?

Luke is the lead singer of the band The Struts who have been one of my favorites for a handful of years now. Their song Could Have Been Me is my life song that inspires me to take risks and make things happen.

Never wanna look back and say, 'Could Have Been Me'.

 

Each time I've seen them live has been a total experience. Twice, I've seen them thanks to them coming to One City Center to perform for WCYY listeners. Luke, Geth, Jed, and Adam are all so incredibly talented at what they do and I will die on the hill that Luke is the greatest frontman of my generation.

They've opened for legends like Alice Cooper and Guns and Roses. Dave Grohl of Foo Fighters has said they're his favorite opening band ever.

They have collaborated with rock legends like Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine, Phil Collen and Joe Elliot of Def Leppard, pop superstar Kesha, and recently Paris Jackson. They've even performed at the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show.

All this, and they're still down-to-earth guys.

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They can work with any artist they choose, cover any song (from Daft Punk to Post Malone, KISS, and The Black Keys) play with the style, but at the heart, the music is still undoubtedly The Struts.

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Clearly, I can talk about this band until I'm blue in the face. That's what made this call so special. Thank you, Lori and bossman "The Captain" Herb Ivy of WBLM for setting it up. I'm so grateful for my Townsquare Portland family and this wonderfully surreal surprise birthday experience!

Check out the full call and see my reaction below:

Give their latest single a listen here:

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