[Cola Can]

I was trying to think of how this will affect things for us........what are we looking forward to?

[C r a s s !]

Gentlemen prefer blondes!
I must be the only Bristisher who aint seen a solo Baz live...
JJ singing more songs - no harm in that! At least he'll stay awake!
Another new era.. fucking right!
Not having to fork out for the SBE DVD.... course you will!
Harmony will come to the forum - or Elnett. That's a good one. Either one holds my toupee in place even on the breeziest of days
Arguing about who is actually the lead singer? JJ...Baz...JJ..No - Baz is...JJ...Baz? JJ..............

[Old Codger]

Hope the SBE DVD does come out as I should be in it along with Lad P and his newspaper! Was also a pretty good gig. They brought out Ally Pally after Hugh departed, probably sold more because of it.

All for JJ singing more and that Greenfield bloke as well.

Good luck to Paul, I think he gave it a good go. I know what it is like when your heart's not in it any more.

[ThruBeingCool]

Looking forward to the HC v's BW debates. Should supply the forum with a few interesting threads in the future!

On a sadder note I'd like to say a fond farewell to what became known as "Ah!...not the old HC v's PR debate.Again!" or summat similar.

[adriana]

This change will inevitably revitalise the band (for how long is neither known or important) and that can only be a good thing.

As I have said before, based on my own feelings I am very keen to go back and see the band live again for the first time in a long time and I don't think that I am alone in that.

So, if the next couple of years/albums turn out to be this great band's swansong, then so be it, but let's all enjoy it and make tha most of it whilst we can.

[Paula]

The Best thing about Paul Roberts Leaving................... NOTHING, there is no best thing - He done a fantastic job in my opinion. He'll be sorely missed by many a Stranglers fan.

[shah]

More instrumental passages - future and past.

[Cola Can]

[Alenyx]

And I hope he reads this:

http://www.soulsec.com/blackboard.htm

[yellowcakeuf6]

The 'strip-tease'? The obligatory removal of upper garments to reveal the,( I believe the word that the kids.....ahem.....use on the streets these days?), buff, flat Derek Guyler washboard stomach?

Mind.............the laydeeeez might miss a bit of this?



Correct me if I'm wrong, but did JJ ever remove the Triumph before Paul removed his shirt? Never seen Baz whip his T-Shirt off. Will JJ continue to disrobe?

Oh the humility!

[spaceace]

The best thing about Paul Roberts leaving is that I'll be able to go see them again. I saw them once with him and it was too different (IMHO). The Stranglers had always been mean and brooding as the name suggests, or melodic and image forming. But after Hugh's departure I'd hoped to hear a more J.J./ Dave sound but it didn't even sound like The Stranglers. Admittedly, the first two albums were good, but the athmosphere I was accustomed to in Stranglers albums wasn't there for me, not surprising when the composers had changed. I've only seen the snippets on youtube, but it feels good to see the two mikes up front again and J.J. giving it plenty.

[Arthur Streeb-Greebling]

No more -
Bowie/Scott Walker/Iggy/Club Style singer Impersonations
Finger clicking
Woodblocks
Berets

[suchi]

[yellowcakeuf6]

[Alias]

[PjInBlack]

[quote="Alias"]

[PjInBlack]

i'm glad he's gone my brother went and he thought it was good apart from the poof at the front.
i hated the way he sang no more heroes aswell

[spaceace]

Here! Here!

[andyinblack1]

THANK GOD, no more thumbs in lapel cockney pearly king, doing the lambeth walk type dancing, he was like a dalek with st vitus' dance

[theraven1979]

Remember the "crab dance" or "pensioner missing zimmer frame" dance. All classics sadly missed.


Jim

[andyinblack1]

forgot to mention the "banana smuggling dance" walking round the stage very quickly whilst clenching buttocks firmly together.

[Ice Queen]

I don't know about people slagging the guy off cos when he left the band only a matter of weeks ago everyone was saying how badly he will be missed which went to show at the Weston- Super mare Gig as JJ and Baz made an absolute mockery of The Stranglers songs which Paul sang by going totally out of tune with Big Thing Coming, etc. I am looking forward to hearing JJ do his own songs. Some of which, we have not heard him do for a long time but, why be nasty to someone who dedicated their life to the band while knowing that most fans did not like his way. One thing though is that my daughter at 13 years old has been listening to The Stranglers from when she was practically in nappies and she quotes "Who is the new guy singing the Stranglers songs, He is Rubbish" Funny it may seem, but, true to some extent. I do wish the band every success with their new set up and we are going to the ABC in September to see them in Glasgow but being a young fan, I think Paul's electric atmosphere on stage will be missed. Ann Marie

[spaceace]

Not for long.

[evonx]

Big Thing Coming was in fact a JJ song (did it on his songs n stories in spring 2000). Havent heard the new line up yet, well not properly, but Paul will be missed of course, although I LUV JJ singing more.

[wadey1]

i will actually be able to stand to listen to the stranglers again. im liking baz at the minute

[C r a s s !]

I got the impression recently Paul don't like the piss ripped out of his dancing... Oops!

[Arthur Streeb-Greebling]

Im missing ol' clicky fingers already.

Perhaps Dave will take up that particular act of supreme showmanship instead?
He's a clever fucker who can play the keyboards, drink a pint and click his fingers at the same time see.

[LUKEJAKE17]

i hated him i dont wanna see some guy prancing around naked like hes a stripper in a gay club. i want jj to sing from now on PERMANENTLY all the songs, even the ones he didnt sing before

[Alias]

[Rich]

[AzInBlack]

That's easy.....back to being a 4-piece again,as they always should have been.

[MLE]

The anticipaiton of what is to come is eating me up! New ideas and hopefully more interest on the larger scale too.

[wadey1]

azinblack,
you were at wardrobe jj gig last year. saw you, and jj pointed you out. good gig eh? met him a few times i bet eh?

[evonx]

If JJ, Dave n Jet thought that Paul Roberts was good enough to be the frontmen and (co-)composer of many of the output in that period, during 16 years of hundreds of gigs and couple of good records (one outstanding Norfolk Coast)... who are you'all to say that it's good he has left?
I'm very anxious to see the new line up (the album is superb, even beats Norfolk Coast IMHO). Long live the stranglers.

[PaulinLondon]

No longer an excuse not to go to Moss Bross and buy four certain gentlemen, four bowler hats.

[LUKEJAKE17]

[The Sewer The Sewer]

Best thing about Paul's departure

Baz and Suite XVI

[black and white]

I stopped listening to them when Hugh left. Tried a couple of albums since but no great shakes....

Me brother went to see them a few weeks back. He said they were very good.

So I got the new album.

Great stuff.

Sounds fresh despite more than a couple of nods to the old stuff. Tight.

[Mazec]

[PaulinLondon]

[serya]

Paul, as much as I actually liked his singing on the CDs, seemed too much of a Front Man and reminded me of such bands as INXS and U2, and I always thought the Stranglers were supposed to be different, a working 4-piece of brooding men doing their jobs playing instruments and not posing. This will be an interesting chance to get back to that, I think.

[johnnyg1968]

absolutely everything i can see my fave band live again without some twat killing every song what a tosser

[MANUINBLACK]

J J singing more wins it by a country mile

[Peteinblack]

Strange really because as much as I like them now I really miss Paul. To me they do miss that energy and singsmithery that can only be captured by a guy without a guitar or bass. I would love it if he came back and I know others who think the same as me. Remember folks if there had been no Paul there would be no Stranglers now.

[theraven1979]

I think we shouldn't be so harsh on the guy. He did keep the band going. It was getting VERY boring towards the end but I don't think he was solely to blame and it can't have been easy for him. I'm not his biggest fan but best of luck to him. If I saw him in the street I'd shake his hand and if he wrote that book I would definately buy it.


Jim

[Alias]

[theraven1979]

[TWO SUNSPOTS]

[Alias]

[theraven1979]

But if the band were dragging there arses round Europe and it was boring then surely that's not one persons fault Davy!

I get cheesed off when I read these interviews where JJ dismisses MKII as crap - Well it was a decade of his life - if he felt that way why didn't he do something about it at the time instead of riding along with it for 10 years?!

Jim

[TWO SUNSPOTS]

[TWO SUNSPOTS]

[PaulinLondon]

Apart from Paul's live performances on the following and in no particular order : Brainbox, Valley of the Birds, Norfolk Coast, I can't really remember anything else that was par excellence, like.

[manticore]

say that paul had never joined and they just had john ellis as hughs replacement and carried on as a four piece,would they still be going now?

[Alias]

Yes.

No.



Oh, I don't know.


Here's one, if my Aunty had bawz would she be my Uncle

[ThruBeingCool]

[Arthur Streeb-Greebling]

[Alias]

The Stranglers are still going?

Now?

[Arthur Streeb-Greebling]

According to manticore they are!

[ThruBeingCool]

btw. I saw plenty of Mk2 gigs that I would rate as good as any I've seen by the Mk3 & Mk4 line-ups.

Please don't ask me to compare any of them with Mk1

[yellowcakeuf6]

[Arthur Streeb-Greebling]

Good Evening.

[Alias]

Good Morning.

[Claireinblack]

Hello.......

It's all a bit academic now isnt it ???

The Stranglers are still playing so we can still go and see them, and we can go and see Hugh Paul and John if we want to.

[johnnyg1968]

But who really wants to see Paul & John though?

[Claireinblack]

There must be someone.....

[The Sewer The Sewer]

The silence is deafening

[Claireinblack]

[adam_neil]

Yeah - I thought Paul was great at times and really added to the band. It's a bit disappointing to read other fans rubbish them (PR + Ellis) as if there were never any good times and the convenient "oooh they kept the band going but it's so much better now."

I really enjoyed the Black in Town 100 Club gig they did last year. Good to hear all the fairly obscure MK2 stuff again.

I'm in the minority here (and I don't give a stuff either) but I've seen the new 4 piece enough times now to decide whether it moves me or not. I don't come away from the gigs buzzing as I often did when Paul fronted it. (Despite what some say the energy of those gigs was often terrific.) Also I guess I'm just bored of hearing the same old hits. Sometimes I didn't warm to Paul's vocals on the oldies (usually the JJ numbers) but I much preferred his singing to Baz's. It's interesting on the poll how only 7% voted for Baz's vocals because essentially apart from Burnel singing his old songs (plus I Hate You, Summat Outa Nowt) all that's changed is the main vocalist/frontman.

No doubt I'll get the usual for posting this. Some things never change.




Adam

[manticore]

[Sir Grim]

yeah, some good points there, Adam. Energy levels were always gonna rise when you have a single frontman, whose not hampered by playing an instrument. This has now been replaced by an intensity in the songs, they sound better, Baz' voice is better suited to the early stuff.

I agree that MK2/3 should be given more credit (WIR is one of my fave Strang's lps), but towards the end Paul was turning into Mr Showbiz Crooner, which didn't suit the band. His finger clicking during songs also started to annoy.

The greatest thing about his departure is that the band have returned to a 4-piece. It just looks right on stage. Perhaps if Paul had been a guitarist as well, his prescence would not have been so jarring. The fact that JJ now sings more is a definite plus as well.

[Sir Grim]

Also, Paul's recorded voice didn't have enough menace, he was too stylistic! Technically, Baz might not be as good or have the range, but is better suited

[adam_neil]

I agree that it was getting boring as Paul's tenure came to an end. And I must admit when he left I was very excited about what the new line up had to offer.

I've seen several Baz solo gigs and enjoyed those but I can't agree that his voice is better suited than Paul's. Sounds quite good on the acoustic shows though with the softer material ie. Black Veil, Strange Little Girl etc. Let's take the song 'Sometimes' (for instance) I remember MK2 doing a cracking version of that in the mid 90s, Ellis's guitar may have sounded radically different to the original but hey so what, I thought it sounded good.

For many, the electric shows nowadays some would call an adrenalin fuelled, no nonense stomp from start to finish but comparing a current live show to the raw energy of say 'Access All Areas', whatever someone's views on Paul's vocals that's what I'd call adrenalin. That angry version of Genetix, JJ's bass sounds so fucking dangerous it's great, then there's a mega fast Grip, almost breaks you out in a sweat listening to it! Awesome.


Adam

[pigeon]

I voted for JJ singing more songs. Having seen MK2 MK3 MK4 gigs i would say my favourite live line up was early MK2 the 1991 tour was great, listening to them on radio 1 at milton keynes bowl, i recorded the show and had it on my walkman for weeks on end in primary school.

MK3 had everything live for me 2001,2002, was great, with baz using laney amplifyers i thought he got a real good distortion tone with the telecaster, & the energy levels of those shows were really fast.

MK4 the first few shows i saw with them Guilfest 06, Dartford 06 in the same week were the best so far out of the 15, Guilfest 06 was a real improvement on Guilfest 04 were paul was clearley going through the motions. Last year out of the 15 shows i saw there was some really good ones Roundhouse obviously and more notably shows abroad in Paris & holland. I too really enjoyed the two paul roberts gigs ive seen 100 club & birmingham as for MK4 now i think there live performances should go more acousticly as baz has a great voice while playing an acoustic, but for electric performances i'd say paul was awesome untill the end years and added something different to the format.

[Frank Castle]

Ah the knives out again,it's been 2 years since the guy left for fucks sake.At the end of the day he gave us 16 years service,I know he was'nt everyones cup of tea.It took me a good while to warm to the guy,but at the end of the day no one was forced to go to the gigs, buy the albums and singles.

A lot of people jumped ship during the PR years,a lot of posters on here no doubt but everyone has freedom of choice.And I chose to stick by favourite band through thick and thin.

And I still wish Paul all the best in future ventures.

[Arthur Streeb-Greebling]

[ThruBeingCool]

[johnnyg1968]

I agree and at least we can hear dave and jj sing their songs again without paul murdering them anymore

[Claireinblack]

It's interesting how much passion this subject arouses.

I guess most of us were devastated when Hugh left, and felt that even though the Stranglers continued, the band would never be the same, and of course they weren't. As others have pointed out, Paul gave the Stranglers 16 years, and contributed to some fine songs. OK, not everyones cup of tea, and not mine to be honest, but the guy helped to keep the band going, and at the end of the day that is the important thing.

The fact that the Stranglers continue today is partly due to Paul and John's contributions, and without them it is possible the band would not have survived.

Lets just be grateful they are still going, and wish all the former menbers good luck.

[PaulinLondon]

Baz does not push it because he can sing.

Paul can sing too.

But Baz is the better singer.

[MULLY]

[ThruBeingCool]

[yellowcakeuf6]

[ThruBeingCool]

Yes Martin, but at least PR could bring it all together in the live scenerio...

We all want a bit of rapport with the audience and JJ's efforts aren't enough imho. Baz appears to have been silenced by the powers that be. See his solo shows to see wot a gobshite he really is.

It's not all about music when it comes to gigs. I think the latest version of The Stranglers is deffo lacking some real up-front personality to up the gigs.

[The Sewer The Sewer]

I think the best part for me is JJ back singing and long may it continue

[adam_neil]

[pigeon]

Paul is a better singer than baz as paul is a singer by trade, he doesn't just do stranglers he can do anything santana etc. I hate to say but i think my stepdad got it right when he saw the roundhouse dvd when he saw baz sing he said "it's like they said he will do now" & its right i don't think baz actually hits any notes when he sings electric songs it's like his starting out. He is brilliant acousticly though.

[The Sewer The Sewer]

To be honest most of the singers in bands are hardly fantastic - Fish from Marillion, Pete Garrett from Midnight Oil, Lemmy from Motorhead - None of them sound brilliant, but I think it's just the whole atmos of a gig that does it.

PR has his voice and I personally didn't think it fitted in, but it fits in with other stuff.

[PaulinLondon]

With PR gone, there is no more nasal singing which I am relieved about; no more grunting in Sleazy, no more gargling in Toiler and no more "woosays" or "ooza's" in various other songs.

Phew.

[adam_neil]

Did you not like the "Watcha!" before Paradise Row kicked in though Paulie?



Adam

[pigeon]

Stranglers MK1 songs aside, i liked a lot of the songs he did with MK2 & thought a lot of MK1 songs should be out of the set and they play more MK2 & 3 etc. For me if i go to a stranglers gig i'm more intrested in the JJ & dave songs & baz when he does "Dutch moon" "Long black veil" "Strange little Girl" & "Walk on by" Acousticly, for the stranglers songs involving hugh i go and see him & his solo material.

[Damian]

[C r a s s !]

On a positive vibe - Paul was great on Lost Control.... and Sommat Outa Nowt. To give the guy credit.

I saw him at 100 Club gig - and I feel extremely praiseworthy towards him and John E It was a good gig.

[C r a s s !]

[Eddy Burnel deux]

paul roberts should do one of those camp man dressed as women acts, he could make it big like that...

[evonx]

[Claireinblack]

[theraven1979]

Gotta stop reading this - I find myself agreeing with Spooner!

Jim

[Claireinblack]

[ThruBeingCool]