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It wasn't just the sound that was menacing but the band were too. They were that bit older than the other punk bands and had an edgy presence.
I remember seeing them in Leeds in 1978 where they had technical problems, got pissed off and walked off stage, never to return.
The songs "Something Better Change", "(Get A) Grip (On Yourself)" and "Hanging Around", and in particular their introductions, were classics, and I had a tape with them on which I used to play to fire me up before exams.
Sad news - I had the honour of having a few beers with him in the Chiefs’ Mess in HMS Brave down the Falklands many years ago. They had done a great gig for the troops and only fair that we returned the favour with a call round to the mess.
It wasn't just the sound that was menacing but the band were too. They were that bit older than the other punk bands and had an edgy presence.
I remember seeing them in Leeds in 1978 where they had technical problems, got pissed off and walked off stage, never to return.
The songs "Something Better Change", "(Get A) Grip (On Yourself)" and "Hanging Around", and in particular their introductions, were classics, and I had a tape with them on which I used to play to fire me up before exams.
I saw them a few times back in the day, but alas was denied my first opportunity in autumn 1980.
My high school friend and I had to make a choice as to which gig we could afford at the Gaumont: Stiff Little Fingers, or The Stranglers - we chose the latter, but then his mum read in one of his music papers about the riot at the Nice gig and forbade him to go. Not only did she ban him, but the busybody phoned my parents up and sufficiently freaked them out that I wasn't allowed to go either. By that point, the SLF gig had been and gone, so lose lose, grrr...
That September Crass played Stowmarket - he was banned from going (he lived less than a mile from the venue), whereas my mum was on the door, and dad spent time inside chatting to the bands, and I was there all night - ha!
I didn't think he was in his 80s that's for sure. As already mentioned, Stranglers were a little older than their contemporaries and were a little bit derided by Lydon and co (short haired hippies being one well known jibe). They were a great band though with a unique sound and have stood the test of time.
I saw them a few times back in the day, but alas was denied my first opportunity in autumn 1980.
My high school friend and I had to make a choice as to which gig we could afford at the Gaumont: Stiff Little Fingers, or The Stranglers - we chose the latter, but then his mum read in one of his music papers about the riot at the Nice gig and forbade him to go. Not only did she ban him, but the busybody phoned my parents up and sufficiently freaked them out that I wasn't allowed to go either. By that point, the SLF gig had been and gone, so lose lose, grrr...
That September Crass played Stowmarket - he was banned from going (he lived less than a mile from the venue), whereas my mum was on the door, and dad spent time inside chatting to the bands, and I was there all night - ha!
I saw both of those gigs, Stranglers had a great pair of support bands in The Tea Set and Shinehead but I think Still Little Fingers edged it just through the energy of their performance - wasn't even aware that Crass played Stowmarket that year.
I saw both of those gigs, Stranglers had a great pair of support bands in The Tea Set and Shinehead but I think Still Little Fingers edged it just through the energy of their performance - wasn't even aware that Crass played Stowmarket that year.
Actually just checked and got it wrong, Crass was Stowmarket United Reform Church(!) on 5th Sept. 1981, so the following year
I saw both of those gigs, Stranglers had a great pair of support bands in The Tea Set and Shinehead but I think Still Little Fingers edged it just through the energy of their performance - wasn't even aware that Crass played Stowmarket that year.
I was at the Stiff Little Fingers gig, and they were great.
I saw them about six years later but in my view, they just weren't the same band because they lacked the energy and pace of their early punk days. It is why I have never had much interest in seeing the punk bands that continue to tour these days.
The Stranglers were on the same bill as the superlative Ramones in the legendary July 1976 gig at the Roundhouse which kick-started the UK punk explosion.
Was there ever a better time for music than 1976-1980 with punk, new wave, a ska revival and a reggae back-drop?
Did not know Jet "Brian" Black was 84. He claimed to be 30 something in punk 70s. We all bought this even though that was ANCIENT. I have only learned tonight that, like a Hollywood actress, he'd knocked 10 years off his age! Bravo old punk! BRAVO.
Did not know Jet "Brian" Black was 84. He claimed to be 30 something in punk 70s. We all bought this even though that was ANCIENT. I have only learned tonight that, like a Hollywood actress, he'd knocked 10 years off his age! Bravo old punk! BRAVO.
I didn't think he was in his 80s that's for sure. As already mentioned, Stranglers were a little older than their contemporaries and were a little bit derided by Lydon and co (short haired hippies being one well known jibe). They were a great band though with a unique sound and have stood the test of time.
With Dave Greenfield's keyboards, The Stranglers sounded more like the Doors than a 70'S punk band imo.
I was at the Stiff Little Fingers gig, and they were great.
I saw them about six years later but in my view, they just weren't the same band because they lacked the energy and pace of their early punk days. It is why I have never had much interest in seeing the punk bands that continue to tour these days.
I did not see Stiff Little Fingers after that Gaumont show until the early 2000s when Ali McMordie had been replaced by Bruce Foxton and the effect of all the bass fills between the three chord onslaught made them even better. However I saw them at the same venue (Cambridge Junction) a few years after that with McMordie back on bass and Jake Burns looking like he needed a zimmer frame and the edge was no longer there. Most ferocious mosh pit I have ever been in though.
I did not see Stiff Little Fingers after that Gaumont show until the early 2000s when Ali McMordie had been replaced by Bruce Foxton and the effect of all the bass fills between the three chord onslaught made them even better. However I saw them at the same venue (Cambridge Junction) a few years after that with McMordie back on bass and Jake Burns looking like he needed a zimmer frame and the edge was no longer there. Most ferocious mosh pit I have ever been in though.
Yes, these days Jake Burns appears to be trying to out-do Alan Brazil on the "putting on the beef" front.
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