We are pleased to announce that the band’s eighteenth studio album Dark Matters will be released on 10th September 2021 and it is now available to pre-order through The Stranglers Official Store here. The album contains 11 songs which were recorded over the course of two years in the band’s Somerset HQ. The album was completed remotely during the Covid lockdown in spring this year with Louie Nicastro behind the controls. Dark Matters will be available on CD, 180gm black vinyl, limited red/black smoke coloured 180gm vinyl & even a limited cassette as well as 25 special signed white label vinyl test pressings.

All pre-orders for the album from The Stranglers Official Store, on any format, will receive an exclusive CD entitled Dave Greenfield-A Tribute. This bonus CD, featuring 8 unreleased live recordings, was selected by the surviving members with a view to celebrating Dave’s unique talent. It includes two of the new album tracks performed with Dave, live versions of four Stranglers’ songs that feature Dave’s distinctive vocals and one of the last ever recordings of the band from their 2019 Japanese tour.

The first single from the album And If You Should See Dave… can be heard here and will be available to stream from 14th May. It’s a poignant and heartfelt tribute to their dearly departed band member. We will bring you more exciting news about the album’s release soon…

We have just been informed of the sad passing of harmonica player extraordinaire Lew Lewis. Lew had a long career in the RnB scene and was best known to Stranglers’ fans for his appearance on the 1978 B side Old Codger which featured George Melly on vocals. Condolences to Lew’s family & friends. RIP Lew

(Pic-Lew & JJ backstage, V Festival Chelmsford 2012)

Thinking about Dave today on what would’ve been his 72nd birthday. Please join us in raising a glass to him today…

Gone but never forgotten. Fly straight DG, fond adieu x

Hot off the press, we present Rat Chat #5. After the emotion of the previous episode, this one is back to the usual jokey banter between JJ & Baz. Lots of fan questions get answered this time and topics covered include birthdays, tattoos and memories of gigs. If you want to submit a question to be considered for future rat chats, please email it to jjandbazratchat@gmail.com
It’s quite a long episode so sit back with a drink and enjoy it here

A year ago tonight, the band played the final show of their Antipodean tour in Auckland. Unbeknownst to them, with the Covid pandemic gathering momentum, it was to be their last gig of 2020. More importantly, though, it would be the final Stranglers’ gig that Dave Greenfield played before his sad & untimely passing that May. It marked the end of an era for the band. We’ll never forget you Dave, your legacy lives on in our hearts. Fond adieu, fly straight xxx