 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
 |
| LIVE AT THE ROBIN 2 CLUB, BILSTON, UK 15TH JULY 2007 A.K.A. THE RETURN OF THE MENINBLACK Most bands suffering the lack of good fortune that The Stranglers have encountered over the years would surely have chosen to hang up their guitars and drumsticks years ago. However, despite fights, drug problems, accusations of being 'too old to be punks' and even imprisonment, all within their first ten years, The Stranglers are still here! - that's 33 years after their formation. How many bands from the '76/'77'punk era are still touring and recording new material? Very few. How many of those bands boast more than 2 original members in their line-up? Even less! The Stranglers still issue new material and contain 3 founder members. Members that have survived the highs and inevitable pitfalls of a journey through the cut-throat music industry since their origin in 1974 in Guildford. After numerous hit singles and albums, 1990 saw the departure of original front-man/vocalist/guitarist Hugh Cornwell. Recruiting vocalist Paul Roberts and ex-Vibrators guitarist John Ellis, they soldiered on, producing the superb 1992 album 'In The Night', and continuing to tour relentlessly. Paul Roberts - who was still annoyingly referred to by some people as 'the new singer' - quit last year after the critically acclaimed 2004 album 'Norfolk Coast' and the band continued as a four piece. Lead vocals are now shared by original bassist Jean Jacques Burnel and current guitarist Baz Warne. The Robin 2 Club in Bilston has proved to be a popular venue and has welcomed several familiar acts from the 70's/80's. I have personally witnessed Eddie And The Hot Rods, The Misfits, The Damned, Toyah and others perform successful concerts in recent years. The Stranglers' show at The Robin 2 last year not surprisingly sold out well in advance. History repeats, and this year another sell-out is followed by another equally stunning performance. A point worth mentioning here regarding a Stranglers' show is the unpredictability of the choice of songs from which their set is composed. It cannot be easy to select a set list when faced with over thirty years of songs to choose from. 'Shall we just play the hits lads?'- a question I'm sure many bands of a similar genre have pondered over at some stage, and you cannot please all the people all the time...... can you? So, as opposed to a 'greatest hits package' The Stranglers pull out obscure album tracks, and some of their lesser known singles to add to their more popular numbers in the set. On this particular night, after their trademark 'Waltzinblack' intro we were given 'Toiler On The Sea' from their 1978 'Black And White' album as the opening track. This particular song has been a fairly consistent live favourite throughout their career, much proven by the enthusiastic applause that followed. Applause that almost drowned out the five-note keyboard introduction to the next song, their first single from January 1977, '(Get A) Grip (On Yourself)'. Never ones to rest entirely on their back catalogue, 'Lost Control' and the single 'Big Thing Coming' from their 2004 'Norfolk Coast' album were equally well received, A succession of hit singles were present on this night - 'Duchess', 'All Day And All Of The Night', 'Golden Brown', 'Strange Little Girl', and 'Always The Sun'. Jean Jacques singing their minor hit of 1981 'Thrown Away' was a pleasant surprise. Similarly, keyboard player Dave Greenfield's vocal delivery on 'Peasant In The Big Shitty' from their 'No More Heroes' album was equally welcome as neither of these are over-played live tracks. The most recent single 'Spectre Of Love' from the last album 'Suite Sixteen' sounded fresh, and a sign of a band still on top form. I may as well apologise now, but I missed Jean Jacques' comment about Johnny Cash when introducing the song 'I Hate You' from the same album, and where did he get the pink hat from that he wore early in the set? Singer/guitarist Baz Warne has fitted into the line-up of the band perfectly -musically, vocally, and dare I mention it - visually! Yes, he wears black, and plays a black Telecaster guitar. This review cannot end without a nod of respect to original drummer Jet Black for a superb solid performance. How long has he been playing? Put it this way, check out the photo of him playing in the 1950's in David Buckley's book 'No Mercy'. Okay, The Stranglers may not be playing the massive venues that they regularly toured at the height of their fame in the late seventies/early eighties, but it must be noted they have lost none of their energy, power, enthusiasm or their ability to entertain. By the time of their encore, 'No More Heroes' I checked the time and realised that these Meninblack had been belting out song after song for an hour and a half! I await their return with eager anticipation. Info for record collectors - the last single 'Spectre Of Love' was issued as a limited edition 7" in fluorescent green vinyl backed with a live recording.of 'Death And Night And Blood'. GEOFF BROWN |
 |
 |
 |