The Stranglers are the most successful and one of the most respectful British groups that came out of British pub rock scene of the 70s. Their aggressive, uncompromising and rebellious attitude also played a key role in creation of British punk and new wave rock scene of the second half of the 70s. They have never made it to the US market, even though their unpredictable experiments with gothic-rock, synth-pop, country, psychedelic and other genres became one of the main attractions of the global mainstream rock scene. During 35 years of their existence, they have released 16 albums, plethora of compilations and few live albums that are among best materials of modern rock music in general.
Hugh Cornwell, the founder, lead singer and songwriter of The Stranglers first formed Emile And The Detectives with his school friend Richard Thompson. After the end of school, two friends "broke up" and Cornwell attended Bristol medical college. He continued his education at Lund University in Sweden. Meanwhile, he formed his second band - Johnny Sox. Hans Warmling, one of the future founders of The Stranglers, was also in that band. As Cornwell hated his medical practioner life, he quit his job at the hospital and returns to London in 1974 and performs in small clubs. There he met Jet Black, jazz bassist and owner of small icecream factory. As Jet wanted to dedicate his time to music, rather than to icecream, he suggested Cornwell to move in with him. That is when they formed a duo. On their way back from one gig, they picked up a hitchhiker Jean-Jacques Burnek who immediately became their bassist and second vocalist. Hans Warmling was still in Sweden at that time, and as soon as Cornwell explained to him what is about to emerge, he also returned to London and joined the band. They changed the name to The Guildford Stranglers and spent the whole year playing in pubs, performing covers of rock'n'roll standards.
Now let's fastforward a little bit. In 1977, they dropped their debut single (Get A) Grip (On Yourself) that teased their debut album.
But the worst crime I ever did was playing rock 'n' rollStranger from another planet, welcome to our holeJust strap on your guitar and we'll play some rock 'n' rollBut the money's no goodJust get a grip on yourself
I mean, who wouldn't think they are going to be big after such an epic introduction to the world. Their critically praised debut album The Stranglers IV: Rattus Norvegicus reached no 4 on UK Album Charts and went on to become one of the best selling British punk records. Only in UK, it sold more than half million. Meantime, they went on tour across England, with some gigs being canceled because the owners of venues didn't want the mess that goes with punk concerts.
Due to appearance in Top Of The Pops show, their single Peaches peaks at no 8 on UK Singles Charts. Since lyrics of Peaches stirred a lot of controversy and because it's one of my favorite essential tracks by The Stranglers, I am going to leave you with them. You make sure to check out the rest of their discography. No one with such biography can have dull discography.
Strolling along minding my own businessThere goes a girl and a halfShe's got me going up and downShe's got me going up and downWalking on the beaches looking at the peachesWell I got the notion girl thatYou got some sun lotion in that bottle of yoursSpread it all over my peeling skin babyThat feels real goodAll this skirt Lapping up the sunLap me up (why don't you come and)Lap me upWalking on the beaches looking at the peachesThere goes another oneJust lying down on the sand dunesBetter go and take a swimAnd see If I can cool down a lil bitCos you and me womanWe gotta lot of things on our mind(you know what I mean)Walking on the beaches looking at the peachesWill you take a look over thereWhere?ThereIs she trying to get out of that clitorisLiberation for womenThat's what I preachPreacher man
