If the band had broken up and then one of the ex-Stranglers had, a few years later, formed a band with no other former band-mates then I would disagree that they are the Stranglers.
However this is not the case for The Stranglers, that have never ceased, they have continuously toured and released albums as The Stranglers, and the current line-up has ‘paid their dues in time served’ to earn their right to be The Stranglers. It includes JJ (ever present Strangler), Baz (22 years a Strangler), Jim (10 years playing with The Stranglers), and Toby (new recruit in 2021, after the tragic loss of Dave).
Looking at how they got here (this bits a rambling trawl through their line-up history, known by most (all) on here; so please feel free to ignore, but it does add context to the above).
- Mk0 - The Stranglers started in ‘74 with Jet being joined by Hugh and some of Johnny Sox; they soon managed to jettison some of Johnny Sox and were joined by JJ. 11 Sept 74 The Stranglers (Jet, Hugh, Hans and JJ) were registered. The first Stranglers line-up change followed, with multi-instrumentalist Hans returning to Sweden.
- Mk1 - Jet, Hugh and JJ are joined by Dave on keys and occasional vocals in 1975. As a new and mostly unheard of act, nobody questions whether they should keep their name (or not to our knowledge, none of us having heard of them at the time). 15 more years of touring and 10 Stranglers albums later Hugh decides to quit the Stranglers (August 1990).
- MkII - Jet,JJ and Dave decide to continue, and after briefly considering a name change, they stick with The Stranglers. This also set the precedent that The Stranglers are more than any one member (no matter how significant that member was), and after recruiting first John Ellis on guitar (who had played on the last tour) and then Paul Roberts on vocals, they continue. The line up of Jet, JJ, Dave, John E and Paul lose a portion of their following, but also get some enthusiastic reviews as a reinvigorated live act (although many are disappointed at Paul also taking live vocals on songs originally recorded by JJ). Again only minimal rumblings seem to appear about this being The Stranglers, it’s not the same as the Hugh years (and a number are quite vociferous in their dislike of JE and PR) but most accept this line up as The Stranglers MkII. 10 more years of touring and 4 more Stranglers albums later, JE decides to quit.
- MkIII - The remaining Stranglers rapidly recruit Baz, and continue gigging, again no name change. Jet, JJ, Dave and Paul have played together for 10 years, Paul has ‘paid his dues’ as a Strangler and therefore with the addition of Baz they continue as The Stranglers, firstly with a concert appearance in Poland that the band were just about to set off for when JE quit. 6 years of touring and one more Stranglers album later (which is widely accepted as the best PR era album), PR quits.
- MkIV - The Stranglers continue as a four piece, although some (many) are disappointed at the loss of Paul (technically the best singer the Stranglers have had), fans also welcome the return of The Stranglers as a four piece, with three lead vocalists (Baz and JJ, plus Dave again taking the occasional live lead). This Stranglers line-up records two albums, both well received critically, and prove an increasingly popular live draw. Although a vocal minority appear to take increasing umbrage to Baz (and JJ), the vast majority at the time except this line-up as The Stranglers. However, during this period, due to ill health, Jet is forced to step back from live appearances. When unable to play his place is taken by Ian Bernard, then from 2012 by Jim Macauley, initially often sharing the stage with Jet for portions of gig, but the length and frequency of this reduces until 2015 when jet stops playing live. In 2018 Jet formally retires, with Jim now officially taking over full time.
- MkV(&VI?)- The line-up of JJ, Dave, Baz and Jim continue touring as The Stranglers, Jim having played with them for the last 6 years and Baz 18, so, as with previous changes, they have paid their dues, earning the right to be The Stranglers. They start to record their latest album, and announce their last full tour for 2020 (partially because of the toll extended tours are taking on the band, and in particular Dave, who is now their oldest member). However the pandemic hits and tragically Dave catches COVID whilst in hospital, and dies. After a pause to consider their options, the band decide to finish their album (for which Dave has laid keyboard parts down on 8 tracks) and fulfil their tour commitments ‘in Memory of Dave’. The album is finished and released in 2021, with probably The Stranglers most positive critical reviews and the highest chart performance achieved for about 40 years. Late 2021 the Stranglers commence touring, with Toby Hounsham recruited on keyboards.