March 23, 2010 11:13

The Strokes recording new album without Julian Casablancas

Singer says band are making a 'funky 'First Impressions Of Earth''

Photo Gallery: The Strokes
Photo: Phil Wallis

Julian Casablancas says that The Strokes are recording their new album without him present in the studio.

The frontman explained that he was leaving his bandmates to work on the music for the record, before he adds vocals alone later on to prevent himself from interfering.

"I think they [the other band members] did a good job," he told ABC News. "Just tracking the songs. It's been nice to get my hands on it."

Explaining why he was removing himself from band recording sessions he added: "I thought honestly it would be a good chance for them to kind of…

"I'm pretty opinionated. Nothing pushy to the point of it's my way or no way, but I'll hear a song and be like, 'Hmmm, it feels like the bass should be like something different'. Whereas if I feel like I wasn't in the room then they could just kind of spread their wings."

He went on to say that the new album "sounds probably more like the last record [2006's 'First Impressions Of Earth'], but I think I might funk it up a little".

The Strokes are set to play the Isle Of Wight festival on June 12 then Rock Ness in Scotland on June 13. Casablancas admitted that the motivation behind agreeing to play them was money.

"Should I say the truth? Money," he said when asked why the band agreed to play the shows. "Yeah. The offers were so crazy that we had to say yes."

Watch the video interview with Casablancas by clicking below.

The Strokes recently released in-the-studio footage of their new album sessions.