Back in black : UK's Stranglers bring it back to '76

Burnel has reason to be reticent. Forever dismissed by critics, and slagged by contemporaries, the low-down bass player holds some heavy disdain for the media. (Just ask French journalist Phillippe Manoeuvre, who back in 1979 found himself taped to Eiffel Tower girders 300 feet off the ground). Slights and confrontations aside, The Stranglers have shown remarkable resilience, and are the last leather-clad vestige of Britain's mid-'70s punk climax.

"We were sort of the pariahs. So we did develop sort of a siege mentality," says Burnel.

Formed in 1975, and branded punk more for a menacing image than anything else, that mentality solidified in '76. Tapped to represent England at the American Bicentennial Celebration alongside headliners The Ramones in North London, the band made plenty of noise, onstage and off.

"I actually had a fight with someone I was quite sociable with, who happened to be the bass player for the Clash, Paul Simonon," recalls Burnel. "On one side of the courtyard there were The Stranglers and a few mates. And on the other side, there was Dee Dee Ramone, Paul and I, nose to nose, Paul and Steve from the Pistols, Chrissie Hynde, and their media friends. So, after that, we were the baddies, for many, many years, and they were the goodies! But we just got on with it."

The years that followed were dark: clashing egos, lineup changes (original member Hugh Cornwell left in 1990), drugs, and bouts of violence conspired to overshadow the band's creative output. But after nearly 30 years and 14 records, the rejuvenated Stranglers have come full circle with Norfolk Coast, a charged record that harkens back to the primal, threatening brawn of the crude early days.

"We didn't really plan it that way," says Burnel of the forceful production. "But we had the luxury of having played all the material live before recording it, which is something you only do when you're a young band. We just did everything until it was right this time around."

THE STRANGLERS
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 19 AT 8 P.M., $22.50
BARRYMORE'S
 
 

		Write your comment on this article!

Three's a charm!     Barrymore's had a bit of a timid crowd, but they loosened up as the night progressed....It's too bad the old town ain't got the people who grew up there in the 80's anymore....I noticed many people who'd come from Montreal.....The show was great with its 2 encores..... The next night in Montreal, the audience seemed more vocal and didn't wait to cheer for songs they weren't that familiar with...always a compliment for any band...people love whatever they play, cause they do it well.... and then in Toronto, the Mod Club was great...The band had lots of energy and the crowd gave the same back....I asked Jet what he thought of the bubbles coming down on everyone...and he said they changed the lighting too quickly and he could hardly see it.....So what was the point? But the mix of people was entertaining....from clumsy drag queen to pseudo Sid and Nancy's...I hope everyone had a chance to buy one of the great new t-shirt designs...or the cool hat....It was great fun at the record store signing.... Hey, Jorge....do you hang around hotel lobbies eavesdropping about air fares...or do you have a source for your 'inside information'????? Anyone who missed this short tour should keep their social calendar OPEN for the next onslaught!! It's a miracle they're coming back again so soon....! Don't miss them next time!
Kitty Black	{4 votes}	October 25th, 2004
Toronto gig(s) rawked!     The Toronto gig at the Mod Club was every bit as cool as the 1984 gig at the Masonic Hall and the two sold-out shows at Massey Hall in 1987. Everyone was there. Let's hope for a bigger venue next time, 'cause so many more people wanted to get in but couldn't. SOLD OUT. What some of you may not know is that the 60% of the band (JJ, Baz and Paul) showed up at the Bovine Sex Club late on Saturday evening for an impromptu acoustic gig with hastily-borrowed acoustic guitars, some signs of tour fatigue and nursing freshly-minted tattoos (Paul). They soldiered through 4 numbers (including Strange Little Girl). The hard-core Stranglers fans amongst the "Queen Street commandos" couldn't believe their luck in being able to see them so up-close-and-personal. What a treat!
Margaret Everyday	{3 votes}	October 25th, 2004
The Stranglers Torque Rock     Having followed them since 1976 i cannot help but wonder why over the years such a band with a diverse range of musical and song writing talents does not get more recognition than they receive. They are (yes i am biased) simply the best live act around. How many other bands have retained such a raw edge over the years. Sure they have became blunt every now and again but now theyre back sharper than ever. Most bands mellow out and disappear. To carry on like they have is testament to their abilites and self belief. I had the pleasure to interview JJ for Triumphs Motorcycles Torque magazine in December last year, at the MEN Arena in Manchester UK, All the band (as ever) made me feel very welcome, but what struck me most of all was just how real they continue to be. No bullshit or pretentious behaviour, just down to earth. No pretend politicians or mixing with world leaders for fake popularity with this group They are still more than "up for it" when most people of their age are content to live life with the acceptable gut and an occasional monthly night out. Norfolk Coast live or CD is an album deserving of recognition by the musical press, what a pity so few of them have the balls to actually stand up and admit to liking The Stranglers and their music. So get your head out of your arses music journos especially those in the UK and get an education, see them, hear them. Only then will you know what being musically alive really means.
David Price	{8 votes}	October 21st, 2004
What a Scene     I'm trying to imagine a reality TV show with the Clash, The Stranglers, The Ramones, The Sex Pistols and Chrissie Hynde and the Pretenders. The two groups square off and we see rock stars like never before, save for Ozzie. This latest release from the Stranglers has me in the aisles with baited breath. I am intrigued with how the road to maturity from "walking on the beaches looking at the peaches" to veteran punks, is sounded out.
Skeleton James	{4 votes}	October 20th, 2004
Saw them at Barrymores     I was a big fan of the band in the 80's and was terribly disappointed when they cancelled their Ottawa show back during the Aural Scuplture days so imagine my pleasant surprise when I learned that they were coming here for one of only THREE Canadian dates. Even though original crooner Hugh Cornwell has long since departed Paul Roberts did an amiable job of filling his shoes (even if his stage antics bordered on a bit "creepy" at times). I was also happy to hear that their new CD is climbing the Top 40 charts in th UK. Unlike the cringingly bad Sex Pistols reunion, the Stranglers still have the goods and songs like "Golden Brown", "Peaches", "No More Heroes" and "Skin Deep" had the crowd of old punks and not so old punks pogo-ing together on the dance floor!!
James Harrison	{1 vote}	October 20th, 2004
Hullo Ottaweans     Would love to hear more comments from the Barrymore's show. Toronto rocked the next night, on the 20th. Slam-dancing started quite fiercely on the final few songs, then straight through the two encores. The Mod Club Theatre was sold out, how was the Barrymore's turnout? FYI they also did a two-song acoustic set at The Edge radio station on the 21st, then an autograph signing at Sam's on the 22nd. Apparently they did 3 days in TO to get the cheaper return flight home (Sunday). Big news for fans is another Canadian tour in Jan/Feb, possibly including Halifax.
Jorge Posada	{1 vote}	October 24th, 2004
Strangled?     Great band. a few good tunes in the 1980's. Interesting they took so long to get popular especially with SKIN DEEP. Wonder if they resurface in popularity with apparent 80's revival? probably not, but still fun stuff. Guess they are hard to label.
Ger Madden	{4 votes}	October 15th, 2004
Stanglers on form, Norfolk Coast     I was fortunate enough to pick up the new Stranglers cd when I was in the UK in the summer and then caught a live show. The cd itself is what I feel the most complete album the have done since the 80's with all the strong Stranglers traits, whirling keyboards, pounding bass and great riffs on Guitar. Don't miss them while in town they are an amazing live act and will put to shame most of todays so called punks.
Keith Smout	{1 vote}	October 14th, 2004

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