Josh wrote: ↑18 May 2023, 13:11
ThinkTank wrote: ↑18 May 2023, 11:24
You are right everyone is different so good luck . As an interesting thought what song or period of songs got you in to the band in the first place ? No right answer for me i was just interested in what songs made you into a fan.
The 77-82 period initially. My dad is also a big fan, who was there more or less from the start. Funnily enough I remember the Collection VHS very well, played that to death when I was young.
I fell away completely as I was in my early teens, then Norfolk Coast brought me back in. I always had a soft spot for Paul and was sorry that he left so soon afterwards.
I started going to see them live in 2011, towards the tail-end of Jet's time with the band. I've seen Hugh live and have thoroughly enjoyed that experience as well.
I think Paul was quite talented really and deserved better but the replacement of Hugh Cornwell is, and always will be, the poisoned chalice. I saw Paul live actually at the beginning on the, In The Night tour but i think it was before the album came out, they played at Brixton but i really couldn't get on with his stage antics it was like an Iggy Pop wannabe trying to be like a Shakin Stevens with his bouncing knee flicking hair and clicking fingers. So as talented as he was he didn't suit a band like the stranglers imo. I always thought why didn't JJ say to him wtf are you doing acting like that on stage. When i mentioned the Stranglers starting as a new band it was Paul i was thinking of as the singer. He was very talented singer and deserved success in his own right without the Stranglers umbrella. I think he was better in the later years but in those early days he was all over the place with so much energy trying far to hard to impress and make the band seem too exciting i think with his weird behaviour that didn't work. It wasn't that long after i saw him again by chance in the stranglers supporting at a festival and at the time from what i remember no one was really listening to the band including me.
What does your dad think of the current line up with out Hugh ? Most of those that were in to Hugh stopped following when Hugh left i think. I nearly took my daughter to see Hugh in Birmingham but i really didn't want her to get bored and spoil the gig for me so i changed my mind. She didn't ask to go she just once said to me recently "why does everyone talk so much about Golden Brown when they have done so much more better songs" So she nearly paid the price for that comment by me getting a Hugh Cornwell ticket for her lol.
Yeah i think Hugh is absolutely brilliant his live performance really has been a treat to see. The Birmingham one was very special for me it will stay as a good memory for good now it really was so much better than the Southend one i saw last year and that was so good as well.
I honestly mean this you have missed out a lot by not seeing Hugh when he was in the band he really was the most important part of their sound and the song writing. But as you say if the current line up works for you then its all good and doesn't really matter.
Thanks for the reply that's probably my favourite period of the band too but im sure you are the same it can also change depending on my mood.