One of the stalwarts of the UK punk scene, The Stranglers are no strangers to Melbourne. Though the lineup has changed with the departure of frontman Hugh Cornwell back in 1990 and the deaths of keyboardist Dave Greenfield in 2020 and drummer Jet Black in 2022 the sound was undeniably classic Stranglers.
Opening the show was solo artist Merryn Dean who delivered a set of avant garde operatic folk. Accompanied by a trumpet player and a fellow doling out atmospheric sounds and loops that built a sonic texture, Dean proved that she certainly has pipes. An amazing range and a curious style, she was not your average mainstream pop person – pretty fitting for the Stranglers.
Even though the current Stranglers lineup has just one original member, Jean-Jacques “JJ” Burnel on bass and vocals, this 50th Anniversary tour delivered the goods. Guitarist/vocalist Baz Warne has been playing the part of Hugh Cornwell for almost as long as the man himself having joined on guitar in 2000 and adding lead vocals in 2006. His edgy guitar and vocals sound was not trying to reinvent the wheel but at the same time brought his own personality to the fore without deviating from the program. In fact, if you closed your eyes and listened to the band on stage, you would swear it was the original lineup – they were that good.
Opening with Waltzinblack with its roll up roll up introduction to the circus feel to Toiler on the Sea from 1978’s Black and White album straight into (Get a) Grip (On Yourself) from their 1977 debut Rattus Norvegicus and Duchess from 1979’s The Raven album, the scene was set for a great delve through the considerable catalogue.
Warne addressed the visibly “heritage” crowd proclaiming “Saturday night in our favourite fucking city in Australia!”, giving kudos to the jammed in front section and shit to the people in the comfy booths. Remembering the demographic he then repented for the latter remarks acknowledging those with disabilities and other ailments – not so rock ‘n’ roll but very appropriate!
A poignant dedication of The Raven to Dave Greenfield and Jett black led into a cavalcade of crowd favourites, the highlights being Nice n Sleazy, Peaches, Golden Brown, Always the Sun and the menacing Hanging Around with its distinctive modal guitar solo as the shining moment. Ending the main set with an explosive rendition of Tank which sent the bass coursing through the bodies of everyone in the first 10 rows, the encore saw JJ thanking all present for being part of their 50th celebrations, explaining they really were just a pub band before playing the first song they played, admitting to stealing from many different sources to end up with the rocking Go Buddy Go before sending us off into the night with No More Heroes.
