The Stranglers - Rattus at the Roundhouse 30 Years Later

When you think of bands that have withstood the test of time, touring and recording albums for 35+ years you might think of The Rolling Stones, AC/DC or even KISS.  But there's another band that's been on the road just as long that you may never have heard of: The Stranglers. 

Despite a large number of top-40 singles, The Stranglers never made it into the US mainstream.  Though their sound was more sophisticated than a lot of Punk bands from London in the mid-70s, they got lumped into the Punk / new-wave scene which they outgrew in a few years.

While the band has gone through some changes over the years (notably, founding guitar player Hugh Cornwell's departure in 1990), they've continued on with the other three original members and most recently with Baz Warne on guitar and vocals.  

In 2007 the meninblack did a 30 year anniversary gig at the London Roundhouse resurrecting the original set list from 1977.  I'm looking forward to seeing this DVD when it makes its way to the US.  And heck, lets hope for a US tour in 2010.  Meanwhile, here's "Hanging Around" from the Roundhouse gig via YouTube.

• Stranglers: Official Site, News, Store,
• Amazon: Stranglers, Stranglers Suite XVI, Greatest Hits
  

Comments

[Simon B]

Keep your fingers crossed for a North American tour, they are playing in Japan this year so you never know! Wouldn't bank on it though which is why I am going to the UK for their up coming "Decades Apart" Tour.