Stranglers in A Strange Land

One of my favorite bands from old timey punk rock is The Stranglers. In 1979, I was in the 10th grade at San Pedro High. I was at guitar class one day and my friend Eric asked me if I wanted to see The Stranglers at the Whiskey. It was their first trip to L.A. Not only was the show a sellout, it was just one night because they had to move on to San Francisco. We made it to the gig in plenty of time. The only time I saw the Whiskey so crowded was two weeks later when I went to see X play there.

We proceeded to hang out and talk punk rock with some punk rock chicks while ‘Shake Some Action’ by the Flamin’ Groovies blasted thru the P.A.

The music was turned down, and without any announcement the band walked down the Whiskey’s narrow staircase onto the dirty, filthy beer stained stage. They plugged in, and after a bunch of feedback and noise they started their set.

They went into ’Nice N’ Sleazy’. Next on the list was ’Straighten Out’. The group is made up of four members: Hugh Cornwell, Jean-Jacques Burnel, Jet Black, and Dave Greenfield.

These people, for whom the group has such affection, came to see The Stranglers and brought the group back for a pair of two song encores with tumultuous applause. While people shouted out requests, Hugh spat back, “Save your breath for the smog. You’ll need it.”

Lead singer, Hugh Cornwell likes the Tubes, and comedian Johnny Rubbish. Don’t believe everything you read. As the Stranglers so often say, expect what your body and mind may tell you to be itinerantly true. Go discover yourself and listen to the beat.