GuilFest 2005. The Guildford Music Festival on 15th, 16th and 17th July 2005

About the bands
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Artist: The Stranglers
Genre: Iconic
Performing: 16th July 2004 / BBC Radio 2 Main Stage
Website Address: [www.stranglers.net]

THE STRANGLERS
NORFOLK COAST
new studio album on EMI Liberty Records

It has been five years since The Stranglers last studio album and 13 years since they were signed with a major label but, at last, the long-awaited and much-anticipated 'Norfolk Coast' was released on EMI Liberty Records on 16th February 2004.

The album was preceded by the release of a single, 'Big Thing Coming' on 2nd February, which entered the UK Top 40 A second single 'Long Black Veil' was released on 12th April.

The Stranglers took their time with this album, not least because of their busy touring schedules but also because they wanted to take some time to get together the right material for the project. They spent the best part of the last two years at their studios in the West Country; writing and working through songs until they were finally happy with the eleven tracks that comprise 'Norfolk Coast'. It is, without doubt, one of their strongest albums in many years. A positive side effect of this intensive period has been the musical consolidation of the band - quite simply they have never sounded better.

The lead track off the album, 'Norfolk Coast' typifies all the distinctive signatures of a classic Stranglers song and sets the mood for this quintessential album, which travels through hi-speed rock, driving rhythms, anthemic melodies and occasional, off-the-wall quirkiness. Trademark Stranglers qualities, including JJ Burnel's rumbling bass and Dave Greenfield's distinctive keyboard sounds, are captured on record as never before.

The album was co-produced by Mark Wallis (who has worked with Travis, U2 and Talking Heads amongst others and is currently producing albums for Fur Patrol and Razorlight) alongside ex-Ruts drummer Dave Ruffy (who is currently working on a new band project with Mick Jones, Tony James and Segs). Both talk enthusiastically of working with The Stranglers.

"From the very first meeting with the band I could see how dedicated they all were to making a new and contemporary album, but with all the classic Stranglers' musical trademarks shining proudly."
(Mark Wallis)
"It's been really exciting working with a band I first heard in 1976 and who were part of the musical movement that gave me the confidence to follow my own dream of doing music for a living, which I've been doing ever since. I think that together we've made a great and classic Stranglers album."
(Dave Ruffy)

In the lead up to the release of 'Norfolk Coast, The Stranglers and UB 40 combined their strengths with an 18-date Arena Tour of the UK and Ireland this November and December. In March 2004 The Stranglers undertook their own highly successful sell-out UK tour in support of 'Norfolk Coast'. The band will continue to perform at festivals both at home and abroad throughout the coming months.

Throughout the past year The Stranglers have played to a series of sell-out audiences and massive festival crowds both at home and abroad. They continue to out-rock many on the live circuit, including much younger outfits, and these days their audience features a large contingent of crowd-surfing teenagers as well as their existing, large and loyal fan base.

Their compounded musical talents and enthusiasm, infused with large doses of charisma and dark notoriety goes more than a little way to explaining why The Stranglers have survived the vagaries of the music business. These days The Stranglers have at their core original members Jean-Jacques Burnel (bass), Dave Greenfield (keyboards) and Jet Black (drums). Consummate vocalist Paul Roberts has been fronting the band for 12 years and Baz Warne, another musician of considerable pedigree and talent has been the band's guitarist since 2000.

In recent years The Stranglers have been enjoying some rather belated and much deserved recognition for their contribution to British rock music. They featured at No 2 in The Top Ten of Punk on Channel 4's popular Top Ten series and BBC also commissioned a two-part documentary on the band. In August 2001 BBC Radio 2 also broadcast an hour-long documentary, featuring in depth interviews with members past and present. Their music continues to feature strongly in film and television and has also been covered by a diverse range of contemporary artists.