One of the great post-punk-era bands, The Stranglers, were not only quite successful in the UK, but in contrast, never gained one.single.ounce. of respect in the US. Their only US charting was a weak one (Dreamtime – 1986), but that’s not to say they did not have US fans, I am one of those proud and envious ones. Envious of the accessibility in the UK, I had virtually no one in this side of the pond to chat up The Stranglers with.
Their story is a good one and should be researched for the value. During their run, they released seventeen studio albums. Their first album, Rattus Norvegicus was released in 1977. It had two hit singles (“(Get A) Grip (On Yourself)”, and the memorable “Peaches”. It was considered one of the great UK Punk albums, and is still highly revered. Of course, there isn’t a bad Stranglers album. So, here’s great news:
On March 2, Rhino UK will reissue seven Stranglers classics in a Classic Collection series release. Those will be as follows:
- Rattus Norvegicus (1977)
- No More Heroes (1977)
- Black and White (1978)
- Live ( X Cert) [1979]
- The Raven (1979)
- The Gospel According To The Meninblack (1981)
- La folie (1981)
Each of these reissues will bring alongside the original album, a collection of rarities, B-sides, and non-album singles. I have no word if these are remastered tracks. But I hope they are. Some of the tracks were previously issued in previous reissues.
Bonus tracks will include:
Rattus Norvegicus:
10. Choosey Susie
11. Peasant In The Big Shitty – Live
12. Go Buddy Go – Other Side Of “Peaches”
13. Peaches – Airplay Version
14. Grip ’89 – (Get A) GRIP (On Yourself)
15. Grip ’89 – Grippin’ Stuff Mix 12”
No More Heroes:
12. Straighten Out – B-side of “Something Better Change” single
13. In The Shadows – B-side of “No More Heroes” single
14. 5 Minutes – Single
15. Rok It To The Moon – B-side of “5 Minutes” single
16. No More Heroes – Edit
Black And White:
13. Shut Up – B side of Nice ‘N’ Sleazy
14. Walk On By
15. Mean To Me
16. Tits – Live
17. Old Codger – B-side “Walk On By”
18. Svergie
19. Walk On By – Single Edit
Live (X Cert):
13. Down In The Sewer
14. Something Better Change
15. Bring On The Nubiles
16. Bitching
17. Peaches
18. Nice ‘n’ Sleazy
19. Ugly
20. London Lady
The Raven:
12. Fools Rush Out – B-side of Duchess
13. Yellowcakes UF6 – B-side of Nuclear Device (Wizard Of Aus)
14. In The Shadows – Live from Don’t Bring Harry EP
15. N’Emmenes Pas Harry – Single
16. Bear Cage – Single
17. Bear Cage – 12” Double A-Side
The Gospel According To The Meninblack:
11. Who Wants The World? – Single
12. The Meninblack (Waiting For ‘Em) – B-side of Who Wants The World?
13. Top Secret – B-side of Thrown Away
14. Maninwhite – B-side of Just Like Nothing On Earth
15. Vietnamerica – Non album track
16. Tomorrow Was The Hearafter – A-Side of Stranglers Information Service Single
17. G.m.b.H – Extended Version of Bear Cage which appeared on the US IRS album IV
La folie:
12. Vietnamerica – B side of Let Me Introduce You To The Family
13. Love 30 – B side of Golden Brown
14. Waltzinblack – B side of La Folie
15. Strange Little Girl – Single
16. Cruel Garden – B side of Strange Little Girl
17. You Hold The Key To My Love In Your Hands – From the La folie Sessions
18. La Folie – Edit
