The Stranglers were among the very first punk bands, and like many others, had their roots in the UK pub band scene. In fact as a pub band their success was lacking atr best. But punk happened and they fit right in. It could be said they were punk before there was such a thing!
Founded in Chiddingfold, England in 1974 by guitarist/vocalist Hugh Cornwell, bassist/vocalist Jean-Jacques Burnell, keyboardist Dave Greenfield and drummer Jet Black. Always dressed in black, playing with a heavy, dark, moody sound (oddly contrasted by Greenfield's often 'happy' organ sound) they were the progenitors of "goth-rock."
In 1976, after openning for Patti Smith on her European tour, United Artists Records (UK) took note and signed them in December. In January they released the moderately successful single "(Get a) Grip (On Yourself)" which of late has been anthologized as one of the first "alternative" rock recordings. AS would happen consistently through the punk era, their songs were banned by the BBC (which in the punk world only helped sales). An LP, Rattus Norvegicus (the scientific name for the rodent responsible for the plague) and the next single, "Peaches"followed. "Peaches" was originally a banned track until they created a "radio version" which replaced the word "clitoris" with "bikini." It went top ten in the UK, as did their next two singles ("Straighten Out" and "No More Heroes") which came from their second LP, NO MORE HEROES, one of the top ten selling LPs of the year in the UK.
About this time, A&M Records (US) was discovering the murmurs of the growing punk/new wave movement and, in
addition to signing acts outright, was looking to acquire material through licencing. A Stranglers deal seemed
ready made, as UA had not yet launched their US Liberty Records label. So in the US The Stranglers first
three United Artists LPs appeared on A&M Records...
The Stranglers continued in the UK with United Artists for a few more LPs before moving to Epic Records UK (and started appearing on the US Epic label as well). They continued to chart from time to time in the UK, but never managed to chart in the US. Hugh Cornwell, Dave Greenfield and Jean-Jacques Burnel produced solo records concurrently with their Stranglers work, until Hugh became bored with it and left the band in 1990 to pursue his solo career. Despite this loss, The Stranglers continued on, first with Paul Roberts and then Jonhn Ellis (formerly ofThe Vibrators). This line-up continues to this day.
Far from being finished, The Stranglers, have never officially broken up and look to continue on into the next millennium and, in fact, released an album in 1999...
THE STRANGLERS IV
Musicians:
Hugh Cornwell Guitar & Vocals
Jean Jacques Burnel Bass & Vocals
Dave Greenfield Keyboards
Jet BlackDrums
Track Listing:
Review Coming Soon!
THE STRANGLERS BONUS EP
Musicians:
Hugh Cornwell Guitar & Vocals
Jean Jacques Burnel Bass & Vocals
Dave Greenfield Keyboards
Jet Black Drums
Track Listing:
Review Coming Soon!
"Duchess"/"The Raven"
Produced by Alan Winstanley
Engineered by Alan Winstanley & Steve Churchyard
Musicians:
Hugh Cornwell Guitar & Vocals
Jean Jacques Burnel Bass & Vocals
Dave Greenfield Keyboards
Jet Black Drums
Review Coming Soon!
I.R.S. GREATEST HITS, VOL 1 (IRS SP70950) includes
"The Raven" and "Vietnamerica"
I.R.S. GREATEST HITS, VOLS 2 & 3 (IRS SP70800) includes
"Straighten Out"