The Stranglers: A Punk Legacy Defying Genre Expectations

Known for defying genre expectations since their debut, The Stranglers, led by founding member JJ Burnel, bring fresh tracks from their 2021 album Dark Matters alongside timeless hits from a 50-year legacy.

A Punk Icon’s Journey Through Time

Entirely clad in black as always, the band’s reputation as punk pioneers might have lead many to expect po-faced miserabilism, but The Stranglers were never willing to be pigeon-holed or limited by genre expectations.

Bassist and co-vocalist JJ Burnel is the sole founding member remaining, but this is no glorified tribute act. 2021’s 18th album Dark Matters got a deserved nod at the concert, alongside expected classics from 1977’s debut album Rattus Norvegicus and the 16 other albums making up The Men in Black’s half century of music.

A Candid Conversation with JJ Burnel

For a band whose best known hit is the heroin-themed “Golden Brown,” and whose backstory includes the usual gamut of substance abuse, how they’ve survived and prospered many decades past most of their punk peers is amongst the many topics JJ Burnel addressed in a very frank and open interview.

  • Burnel reflected on playing Belfast at the height of ‘the Troubles’ in Northern Ireland.
  • He shared experiences from conflict zones like Kosovo, where a military escort warned them against relieving themselves outside for fear of tripping a mine.
  • Burnel got pugnacious over Putin, would live to chill with Chopin, and told the tale of how he had to fight the record company to release “Golden Brown.”

This may be the only time I’ll ever have a punk icon apologising for swearing – and the only time I could do an interview that coincided with my other job as a school teacher. So as Burnel and I chatted, a class just beginning their own journey into radio presenting got a live demo of interviewing!

The Stranglers: Rebels with a Cause

Dubbed hippies by their less sonically adventurous peers, The Stranglers shocked the audience through their rejection of the Year Zero narrative by featuring a synth on stage. The Stranglers were the British band Patti Smith and the New York Dolls would call upon for support when they swung by the UK.

The live show reflects the mix of punk intensity, pop sensibility, and willingness to experiment. The riffs get crunchy and the vocals are snarled out on the likes of “Tank” and classic closer “No More Heroes,” but over their two hours on stage, the keyboards were never swamped in the mix, and there was plenty to enrage Year Zero purists from a band not shy of dropping in a bit of prog.

A Musical Iconoclast: JJ Burnel’s Legacy

If you’re only familiar with “Golden Brown,” “Always the Sun,” “No More Heroes,” and the other big hits, I’d actually say you’re lucky! You’ve got a rich catalogue of music to discover by a band who both formed and refused to conform to the punk genre. Packed full of “Peaches” you might say … And you can discover and listen in to 11 of those mixed in throughout my chat with a true musical iconoclast, JJ Burnel!

Conclusion

As The Stranglers continue to defy genre expectations and captivate audiences with their unique sound and rebellious spirit, JJ Burnel’s legacy as a punk icon remains unmatched. From their early days challenging the norms of punk to their recent album Dark Matters, The Stranglers have solidified their place in music history.

FAQs

Who are the members of The Stranglers?

The band is led by founding member JJ Burnel, who is the bassist and co-vocalist. Other members include Jet Black, Dave Greenfield, and Baz Warne.

What are some of The Stranglers’ popular songs?

Some of their popular songs include “Golden Brown,” “Always the Sun,” “No More Heroes,” “Tank,” and “Peaches.”

How long has The Stranglers been active?

The Stranglers have been active for over 50 years, with a legacy that spans multiple albums and a diverse range of musical styles.

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