Vive Le Rock #88

[Bear Cage]

Next issue of VLR looks good
http://link.rm0004.net/v/tBw-RiuPUmtaAxuyT6z6qw2

[StanInBlack]

They've even got Billy Corgan from The Smashing Pumpkins on the cover!

Joking aside, stolen 2021 from who exactly? Black Midi? CHVRCHES? Black Country, New Road? Squid? Wolf Alice? I mean, nobody told all of those young, successful and vital bands that a band with only one original member left in 'em was stealing 2021 from 'em* ...

(*that's because they're not)

[Greatkudu]

A very unflattering pic of Baz. Lt Kudu.

[jason]

A bit surprised that didn't put JJ on the cover but I guess he was on it a couple months ago.

[Bear Cage]

A bit surprised that didn't put JJ on the cover but I guess he was on it a couple months ago.

It highlights The Stranglers are much more than JJ, and how key Baz is to their resurgence

[jason]

A bit surprised that didn't put JJ on the cover but I guess he was on it a couple months ago.

It highlights The Stranglers are much more than JJ, and how key Baz is to their resurgence

Yeah good for Baz. He deserves it.

[StanInBlack]

It highlights The Stranglers are much more than JJ, and how key Baz is to their resurgence

Yeah, Baz has reaffirmed The Stranglers status as a major artistic forhahahace hahahaaaa! Sorry, I couldn't even type that with a straight face.

Given the amount of current names on the front cover of that magazine (none) and more than a few names languishing in the "where are they now?" file, I'd say this doesn't mean an awful lot.

[Jake]

It highlights The Stranglers are much more than JJ, and how key Baz is to their resurgence

Yeah, Baz has reaffirmed The Stranglers status as a major artistic forhahahace hahahaaaa! Sorry, I couldn't even type that with a straight face.

Given the amount of current names on the front cover of that magazine (none) and more than a few names languishing in the "where are they now?" file, I'd say this doesn't mean an awful lot.

The stranglers are much more than JJ, err ok

For a bit of balance, not harsh criticism, just cold reality, Baz would be nobody without playing material that Hugh Cornwell was a huge part of creating in the first place.


I don’t think they’ve drawn in significant new punters, just captured the interest of people who’ve already been into the stranglers at some point.

I don’t read Vive Le Rock, I am not interested in events like Rebellion festival either, because invariably most of the acts represented have long past had their heyday, and for the most part seem to have become glorified tribute acts, dad rock, etc.

[theraven1979]

This is sadly true

Jim

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[Jon the Impaler]

It's a bit like a football team , like my football team , living on past glories ........funnily enough from pretty much the same era (Leeds Utd ) .Luckily I have seen both in their prime and both were quite prolific in their own fields and both now are just poorer versions of the best thing ( you can't say noriginal with a football team as the ever changing ) . Baz has done well with the band but like said , he is earning a lot from a previous era and also Paul Roberts was also a collaborator on NC and Suite which people forget , though he didn't appear on the latter he would no doubt have thrown idea's into the songs and I would say both of those were better than the following two albums , DM is decent but for me Giants was the nadir for the band alongside 10 . The band whatever happens now and in future will always be remembered for the period between 77 and 91 , that's no insult to the latest version or a reflection on DM , it's purely a fact .

[Greatkudu]

It's a bit like a football team , like my football team , living on past glories ........funnily enough from pretty much the same era (Leeds Utd ) .Luckily I have seen both in their prime and both were quite prolific in their own fields and both now are just poorer versions of the best thing ( you can't say noriginal with a football team as the ever changing ) . Baz has done well with the band but like said , he is earning a lot from a previous era and also Paul Roberts was also a collaborator on NC and Suite which people forget , though he didn't appear on the latter he would no doubt have thrown idea's into the songs and I would say both of those were better than the following two albums , DM is decent but for me Giants was the nadir for the band alongside 10 . The band whatever happens now and in future will always be remembered for the period between 77 and 91 , that's no insult to the latest version or a reflection on DM , it's purely a fact .

Sir all true, but the band as they are now are still a great live band and have produced a fine album, but of course it was Daves last playing, and hate to say this, maybe we are saying it's better than it actually is because of the poignancy of Daves last album? But take that away I still think it's a fine album, with all things taken into consideration. Lt Kudu.

[StanInBlack]

For a bit of balance, not harsh criticism, just cold reality, Baz would be nobody without playing material that Hugh Cornwell was a huge part of creating in the first place.

This is completely true. Nothing that Baz did beforehand was all that successful, bar being briefly a member of the Toy Dolls which was his previous career highlight. If Baz hadn't replaced Ellis in 2000, no Stranglers fan would know who he is or give a shit about him. Harsh but true.

I don’t think they’ve drawn in significant new punters, just captured the interest of people who’ve already been into the stranglers at some point.

I agree - and for all this talk of "we see young faces in the audience", those "young faces" are mostly those of the children of dyed in the wool fans or formerly lapsed fans who have been brought back into the fold. One thing that has been noticeable about The Stranglers' audience after Baz took over on vocals is that it's brought a lot of gammon out of the woodwork.

I don’t read Vive Le Rock, I am not interested in events like Rebellion festival either, because invariably most of the acts represented have long past had their heyday, and for the most part seem to have become glorified tribute acts, dad rock, etc.

Yes, all bands have a shelf life where they're at their finest as a performing unit - and, most importantly - a creative force. Bands are not like football teams where you can just change members endlessly and expect it to the same thing. The Stranglers have more than exceeded their shelf life by 30 years in the eyes of the majority.