Pondering The Stranglers’ future on the occasion of their ruby anniversary, founding member and bassist JJ Burnel opined that it was the health of now-retired drummer Jet Black that would determine their continuation. Sadly, fate struck the veteran group with a particularly cruel blow when keyboard player Dave Greenfield succumbed to the effects of covid. With Burnel the last man standing from the original line-up, tonight’s show is as much a self-tribute as it is a salute to his departed comrade.
Within this context, much credit is due to Toby Hounsham who steps into Greenfield’s considerably large shoes. Diving straight into the deep end, he makes bold strokes as The Stranglers launch into Toiler On The Sea, which is followed swiftly up by an aggressive version of Something Better Change. Unfortunately the momentum flags with the heavy bummer Don’t Bring Harry. But the torpor soon lifts. On solid group effort Walk On By Burnel’s bass growls with menace at Baz Warne’s snaking guitar. Behind them, Jim Macaulay holds down the beat while Hounsham takes flight once more.