JJ and The Stranglers on tour - bassist extraordinaire

[The Dark Lord]

[attachment=102910:JJ.jpg]


A load of you probably know that the Stranglers are on tour and have an album in the charts for the first time in ages. New album is full of very strong material.

But look, surely there is no other man out there who has done more for the cause of bass and getting people to pick up and play a bass.

I saw him and the band on the Portsmouth and Brighton dates of the tour last week. The guy is an absolute legend. Cool as you like. None of this stand at the back accompanying the guitarist or complementing the singer for him. Nope, his bass is right up there in the front of the mix driving the song. In many cases, The Stranglers' songs were developed from bass riffs.

If you can get along to any of the remaining dates of the tour - then do it.

[Hobbayne]

Oh yes, JJ Burnel definately influenced me!

[kevin_lindsay]

JJ Burnel - the reason I took up bass!!

[gub]

Do love the stranglers , wouldnt mind getting along to see them

[spongebob]

I saw them in Brighton last year - awesome, true professionals.

+1 on the new album. Best in years.

[Raggy]

My favourite band.

And a big get well soon to Jet.

[Lozz196]

Definitely one of the major inspirations on my taking up the bass.

[rogerstodge]

I saw them on the black and white tour, hammersmith odeon when i was 16, 2 days later i borrowed some money from my mum and bought a columbus p bass copy.
Still got it, it has a neck like a cricket bat.

[bartelby]

Saw them in Bristol Sat night. Definitely up there as one of my favourite gigs of the last year or so. JJ was just so bloody cool!

I could hear his back line over the PA. Sounded bloody lovely.

[flyfisher]

My BiL used to run an entertainments company, organising corporate bashes and the like. He booked the Stranglers for one such event and Mrs FF spent an enjoyable evening 'behind the scenes' before their set just chatting to them. She had been a fan since seeing them in the 70s at the Woolwich Tramshed. She said they were a very friendly bunch. Unfortunately, I couldn't be there, which i've often regretted.

Totally agree with the previous comments about the band being built around strong basslines. Legendary stuff.

Edited March 19, 2012 by flyfisher

[Deep Thought]

I was also at Bristol on Saturday night-third year in a row I've seen them there. Cracking gig-and the most packed I've seen the Academy. Sadly the great man Jet Black is ill, and his drum tech Ian Barnard stood in for him, but I thought Ian did a fantastic job. I can't say the new album blew me away at first, but I'm definitely getting into it now. Was delighted to hear 'Tank', one of my favourites, for the first time in about 20 years.