Project Description

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The Stranglers.

THE STRANGLERS
+ Heavy Amber
@ The Gov, Adelaide,
18th April 2023
(Live Review)

Review by Colin Reid

Photos by CDR Imagery

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The Stranglers

THE STRANGLERS // Photo – CDR Imagery

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If you follow the sort of stuff that I normally photograph or review then you’ll know nine times out of ten I cover bands that I like; bands that really mean something to me. Its pretty much clear that I’m writing from the perspective of a fan. I get excited about what I see and sometimes can get caried away, get over enthusiastic in what I’m saying but believe me when I say that this was a great gig!

The Stranglers are a great live band. A band that formed very nearly 50 years ago. A band that very nearly called it quits when long time keyboard player Dave Greenfield died in 2020. A band that has such a connection and chemistry with its audience and never fails to deliver. This gig, their first in Australia since Dave’s passing, was no exception. Fabulous stuff.

I want to say that I love covering a gig by The Stranglers. It isn’t just the opportunity to photograph them one more time. As great as it is to capture the performance what I find equally interesting is being in the pit before they come on and getting to chat with the punters on the front row of the fence.  Without fail these are all die hard fans.  They are people that have flown across the country or often flown around the world in order to follow the band to every gig of the tour.  Tuesday night in Adelaide, the opening Australian gig of the NZ / Aus tour, was sold out. Outside the rain was coming down so hard but inside was a full house, every inch of The Gov packed in solid with little room to move but it was no surprise that those who had made it to the front had already been to the three NZ gigs of the tour and were planning to do every Aussie date too.  I even recognise an English bloke from 3 years ago who was once again making a Stranglers pilgrimage around the world.  This band has a legacy an appeal to the fans and a following unlike others.

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The Stranglers

THE STRANGLERS // Photo – CDR Imagery

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The lights dim, the traditional band intro of “Waltz in Black” swirls out across the room and the big crowd respond with a roar as the men in black take to the stage. They launch in “Toiler on the Sea” form 1978s “Black and White” album, 45 years old and still sounding fresh. 

The band is so tight, there is such a chemistry and understanding between them and also with the crowd.  Straight away it is clear just how good Toby Hounsham, the new keyboard player is.  He has already played 50+ gigs with The Stranglers and has slotted right in.  Baz Warne recently described Toby as “a Dave disciple” and it shows as he recreates Dave’s famous keyboard sound, I however it is very emotional to look at that keyboard stack and see another bloke behind it.  Their 2020 Adelaide gig at this same venue was Dave’s last ever in Australia and it is fitting that Adelaide host their return.

The band move on with “Duchess”. It is so good to hear but so hard to photograph them when you are singing every word of the song with them!

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The Stranglers

THE STRANGLERS // Photo – CDR Imagery

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Baz is on fire.  A big man with a bigger personality and stage presence. Gregarious in nature he is dominating his half of the stage, a huge smile on his face.  He engages the crowd warmly “How good is it to see a venue full on a Tuesday night? That’s down to you lot coming out” we cheer his acknowledgement of us.  He moves on with “what is it with Australian men having so many mullets?”. “He’ll never have one” one wag in the crowd calls back.

The band are so tight.  JJ Burnell’s bass is relentless.  They had great songs but it was Dave’s keyboards and JJ bass sounds that really set them apart from all the other first wave of UK punk bands.  His bass drives everything onwards thumping through the waves of keyboard sounds whilst Jim’s drumming is so strong without ever over playing. Jim is so rhythmic, playing with ease and precision a great drummer.  The rhythm section is locked in tight.  JJ and Baz clearly still love playing and all the thoughts that they had about calling it quits on the band post Dave’s death have been cast off.  During “Nice ‘n’ Sleazy” they perform their trademark twin guitar spearhead advance on the crowd their love for playing, their chemistry together and their love for maintaining the legacy of this band is undeniable.

The set continues with their cover of “The Disciples of Spess” track “This Song”.  It was a single from the most recent album “Dark Matters” completed after Dave’s passing and it draws a huge response from the crowd.  It is a surprise that next we get “The Raven” as it hadn’t been played on the tour so far and after that they go into a run of huge songs building the momentum and the crowd’s noise and engagement builds with it.  “Always the Sun” is a massive crowd sing-a-long and Baz leaves space for us to fill in the lyrics.  Every song is great and the band and the crowd are as one in total synch together first with “Peaches” and then on Dave’s finest work “Golden Brown”.  Once again Baz leaves us the space to sing the song. It is a fitting tribute to Dave.

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The Stranglers

THE STRANGLERS // Photo – CDR Imagery

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Of course, you don’t seem to be able to have a Stranglers gig in Adelaide without a technical issue and this time it is the keyboards that stuff up.  As the crew endeavour to make running repairs to the keyboard Baz takes the opportunity to resume banter with the crowd part of which is Toby’s formal introduction.  Apparently, this is Toby’s first ever visit to Australia. The crowd roar out the our approval and let him know that he is more than welcome he acknowledges our applause with a wave and swig of beer.  Nice Toby, you fit in well although maybe make it an Australian beer next time alright?

There is a devotion to this band almost a religious or spiritual connection. During “White Stallion” JJ raises his arms and the faithful respond!

Baz gives Toby space to play and to take the limelight during “Sweden”. Toby responds, the keyboards reflecting off his dark glass as he plays and at one point takes another beer with his spare hand how cool did that look!

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The Stranglers

THE STRANGLERS // Photo – CDR Imagery

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As is traditional, at least at the last 4 Adelaide gigs, they close out the regular set with “Tank”.  It is bloody great way to go out, I love that song and I’m not an orphan in that regard! Someone told me that original lead singer Hugh Cornwall didn’t used to like playing it live, I don’t know if that is true but I’m sure glad we hear it now.

There is a short break and they are back to close out the night with a sensational version of “No More Hero’s” before the four of them form up and take a bow and the applause. They’d played for ages but it was over to soon.  My only disappointment was that we didn’t get JJ and Baz doing their acoustic rendition of “The Lines” and also the tribute to Dave Greenfield “And If You Should See Dave”.  I for one would have loved that opportunity to say goodbye to properly.

A quick word on the support band “Heavy Amber” a trio from Melbourne.  I found them very hard to classify.  A heavy almost metalesque wall of sound, is folk metal a thing? Was it a fusion of prog and psych and stoner rock? I’m not sure. They drew a mixed reaction with some punters clearly hugely enjoying them and others clearly bemused.  Were they an unusual choice to open up for The Stranglers? Not at all remarked my friend, after all The Stranglers have always been about doing something different and so it that regard, they were the perfect choice.

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The Stranglers

THE STRANGLERS // Photo – CDR Imagery

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Check out CDR Imagery’s full gallery of this event HERE


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Follow THE STRANGLERS
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The Stranglers.




Interview with
BAZ WARNE
from
THE STRANGLERS
(17th April 2023)

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The Stranglers.


AMNPLIFY – DB

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