Aural Sculptors - The Stranglers Live 1976 to the Present


Welcome to Aural Sculptors, a blog aimed at bringing the music of The Stranglers to as wide an audience as possible. Whilst all of the various members of the band that have passed through the ranks since 1974 are accomplished studio musicians, it is on stage where the band have for me had their biggest impact.

As a collector of their live recordings for many years I want to share some of the better quality material with other fans. By selecting the higher quality recordings I hope to present The Stranglers in the best possible light for the benefit of those less familiar with their material than the hardcore fan.

Needless to say, this site will steer well clear of any officially released material. As well as live gigs, I will post demos, radio interviews and anything else that I feel may be of interest.

In addition, occasionally I will post material by other bands, related or otherwise, that mean a lot to me.

Your comments and/or contributions are most welcome. Please email me at adrianandrews@myyahoo.com.


Sunday 31 July 2016

Top Secret No. 8 November 1987

And another one ....... here.

RESTORED LINK - Aural Fantasy Demos LP

Aural Sculpture/Dreamtime period demos. Restored link can be found here.

The Damned Vienne Punk Festival France 23rd July 2016


Here's another great recording from the Vienne Punk Festival in France on 23rd July 2016. This time headliners, those lovable rogues, The Damned! Listen out for a rare outing of Jet Boy Jet Girl.... superb!

Very many thanks to the original taper (lolive) and for the artwork (StixieWho). A sterling job!

FLAC: https://we.tl/joOHUsZRYi

Artwork: https://we.tl/gvW3VRziW8

01. Street Of Dreams
02. Love Song
03. I Just Can't Be Happy Today
04. Plan 9 Channel 7
05. Disco Man
06. History Of The World Pt.1
07. Alone Again Or
08. Democracy
09. Eloïse (Barry Ryan)
10. Stranger On The Town
11. New Rose
12. Neat Neat Neat
13. Fan Club
14. Smash It Up
15. Shadow Of Love
16. Anti Pope
17. Jet Boy Jet Girl

Chelsea Haus Der Jugend Dusseldorf 23rd July 2016


In a continuation of the 'In Support' theme, here's a very recent, and very good, recording of Chelsea, one of many first wave of UK punk bands marking their fortieth anniversary this year. In those forty years Gene has played with almost everybody..... but on 21st November 1976 they were to be found on the same stage as The Stranglers in The Nashville Rooms in West Kensington.

Sincere thanks to the original taper for sharing this one with me!

FLAC: https://we.tl/ANmJmieBP9

Artwork: https://we.tl/gKAT6QPAO3

01. S.A.D.
02. 12 Men
03. Come On
04. How Do You Know?
05. I’m On Fire
06. The Loner
07. No Flowers
08. Johnny Has No Respect
09. War Across The Nation
10. No Admission
11. Urban Kids
12. This Is Now
13. We Don’t Believe You
14. Evacuate
15. No One’s Coming Outside
16. Last Drink
17. Right To Work

Ruts DC Vienne Punk Festival France 23rd July 2016 - UPGRADE

Not an upgrade as such, same quality recording, only now with 'Staring At The Rudeboys' added.

Here.

Acoustic Festival of Britain Nantwich 30th July 2006

JJ at the The Acoustic Festival of Britain
Nantwich
30th July 2006

Here's almost an anniversary gig from 10 years ago (last night!). It's acoustic (well it is Sunday morning) from The Acoustic Festival of Britain. 



01. Instead Of This
02. Long Black Veil
03. Dutch Moon
04. European Female
05. Princess Of The Streets
06. Strange Little Girl
07. Always The Sun
08. In The End
09. English Towns
10. Southern Mountains
11. Golden Brown
12. Cruel Garden
13. Never To Look Back
14. No More Heroes
15. I Hate You
16. Old Codger
17. Sanfte Kuss
18. Walk On By


Wednesday 27 July 2016

The Newtown Neurotics The London School of Economics 16th November 1984


Here's a significant gig that I have just received in a trade (thanks Scott!). The Newtown Neurotics playing in London in November 1984, the Miner's Strike was months old and for those at the sharp end these were fighting times indeed.

I was 15 at the time and starting to wake up to the serious nature of politics (the Miner's Strike did that to a lot of young people I think, even those sitting at home in Burgess Hill (Sussex is not known for its collieries (although half the family come from Stoke, which is... make that was!)).

So we has Protect and Survive leaflets through the door, Cruise missiles, the Miner's Strike, Thatcher, Tebbitt and the IRA... and that's before the 1985/86 AIDS awareness campaign totally put the kibosh on certain dreams and aspirations of this late teen!

To those who thing that the '80's was all, flicked hair, leg warmers and dodgy make up, it just wasn't so.

Sadly, I feel right now that we have not moved on a great deal.

MP3 (as recieved) : https://we.tl/QDD13BsQoU

01. The Mess
02. Mindless Violence
03. Creatures From Another World
04. Does Anyone Know Where The March Is?
05. Suzi
06. Agony
07. Bored Policemen
08. Fighting Times
09. My Death
10. Mind Of Valerie
11. Fragile Life
12. Screaming
13. Living With Unemployment

Tuesday 26 July 2016

Ruts DC Vienne Punk Festival France 23rd July 2016


Hot off the press this one, and it is hot. An excellent set from Ruts DC at last weekend's 'Know The Future' Punk Festival in Vienne, France. As the the 'Music Must Destroy' album comes on apace, so the set expands with the new material. This is a great sounding set and a real good taster for the new album. My thanks to lolive for the share. Much appreciated!

Please retain this in a lossless format (but convert to MP3 for personal use by all means).


FLAC: https://we.tl/x2fMJoi07y (13 track version)
FLAC: https://we.tl/vOn8HAnizD (14 track version) - Staring At The Rude Boys Added!

Artwork: https://we.tl/ubz1Hck9jf (13 track version)
Artwork: https://we.tl/HIE08xZAac (14 track version) - Staring At The Rude Boys Added!

Take a look at the progress of the new album here:

http://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/ruts-dc-psychic-attack/updates



Saturday 23 July 2016

The Electric Circus Manchester 5th June 1977


Prompted by Owen's post of Kevin Cummings' photographs from this gig on the Stranglers memorabilia facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/groups/stranglersonvlnyl/), here's the gig itself. But beware, as they say in the finest Swiss Finishing Schools, 'It's as rough as a badgers arse!'


FLAC: https://we.tl/DRSy8psJcP

Artwork: https://we.tl/wt1EwDFx4Z

01. Grip
02. Sometimes
03. I Feel Like A Wog
04. Dagenham Dave
05. School Mam
06. Peasant In The Big Shitty
07. Peaches
08. No More Heroes
09. Hanging Around
10. Straighten Out
11. London Lady
12. Down In The Sewer
13. Ugly
14. Something Better Change


Adam Ant Shepherds Bush Empire 22nd March 1995


Following on from my Dave Barbarossa plug, I thought that I would put this up. In 1995 Adam announced a tour to promote his then new album 'Wonderful', these were the first shows in the UK for some considerable time. I don't think that I would be courting controversy if I said that at this time Adam was a little flaky. After a handful of dates, the remainder of the tour was cancelled with Adam citing exhaustion as the reason. I went to one of the Shepherds Bush dates, could have been this one or the one on the following night, I don't recall and I can't locate the ticket stub.

This excellent quality recording must have come from Dime as the set is not complete with live those tracks that appeared as part of the 'Gotta Be A Sin' CD singles are cut (in accordance with Dime policy). It's a shame as among those tracks are some of the best that the original Ants recorded. The omitted tracks are:

Cleopatra
Beat My Guest
Red Scab
Desperate But Not Serious
Car Trouble
Physical

Nevertheless, on the surviving set there are some early classics such as Kick! Christian D'ior and Never Trust A Man (With Egg On His Face) plus a handful of Kings tracks.

FLAC: https://we.tl/kJCmmys2bJ
Artwork: https://we.tl/9xg9J7nq7H

01. Wonderful
02. Alien
03. Vive Le Rock
04. Never Trust A Man (With Egg On His Face)
05. Gotta Be A Sin
06. Beautiful Dream
07. Room At The Top
08. Man Called Marco
09. Kings Of The Wild Frontier

01. Stand & Deliver
02. Vampires
03. Ants Invasion
04. Killer In The Home
05. Ant Music
06. Audience
07. Goody Two Shoes
08. Kick!
09. Band Introduction
10. Christian D'ior
11.20th Century Boy

Drum With Dave Barbarossa


If there are any wannabe Keith Moon's out there who feel that their efforts on the skins could do with a boost from someone who really knows what they are doing. Dave Barbarossa's CV is presented on his flyer, but for me it's Dave's tenure in the original Ants that counts.

I saw Dave play once with Adam at the Shepherd's Bush Empire in 1995. Adam, opting for the later Ants trade mark of two drummers, had Ruffy (The Ruts, Ruts DC, plus a list of bands and artists as long as your arm) occupy the other drum stool and together they made a hell of a noise.

Sunday 17 July 2016

The Vapors 4th November 2016


I have to admit that I was wavering on this one, but on Friday I succumbed and got myself a ticket to see The Vapors at Dingwalls in November. 'Turning Japanese' was the first single that I bought from W.H. Smiths in Burgess Hill, Sussex ('Whispering Grass' was technically the first but as that was bought for me I feel happy to gloss over that one!). I have told Owen Carne that if this turns out to be rubbish he's for it!

We shall see.


02 Academy Manchester 26th March 2016


Next on the list, Manchester. Thanks for the share!

FLAC: https://we.tl/VPMCg3niDv

01. Intro
02. Tank
03. Nice 'n' Sleazy
04. Outside Tokyo
05. Hey! (Rise of the Robots)
06. Sweden (All Quiet on the Eastern Front)
07. Toiler on the Sea
08. Curfew
09. Threatened
10. In the Shadows
11. Do You Wanna
12. Death and Night and Blood (Yukio)
13. Enough Time
14. (Get a) Grip (On Yourself)
15. Walk on By
16. Norfolk Coast
17. Lost Control
18. Princess of the Streets
19. Always the Sun
20. Freedom is Insane
21. Burning Up Time
22. Nuclear Device (The Wizard of Aus)
23. 5 Minutes
24. Relentless
25. I Feel Like a Wog
26. Something Better Change
27. Golden Brown
28. Peaches
29. Hanging Around
30. Go Buddy Go
31. No More Heroes
32. Outro

Top Secret No. 7 September 1987

,,,,,, and another one, here.

Sunday 10 July 2016

999 Euphoria Portland Oregon 13th March 1980


Last week Gunta and I had the pleasure of seeing old friends 999 once again in my favorite Camden dive the Dublin Castle. It was great to catch up with them again, on this their 40th Anniversary year.

Support for the evening was provided by another '77 band London (noted for original member, and subsequent member of The Damned and Culture Club, Jon Moss - although he wasn't behind the kit on this occasion).

Catch them on your this year!


On this recording that band were supported by those clown princes of punk, The Dickies.

FLAC: https://we.tl/RZJehgxRg3

01. Brent Cross
02. Let's Face It
03. Hit Me
04. >chat<
05. English Wipeout
06. >chat<
07. Stranger
08. >chat<
09. Feeling Alright with the Crew
10. >chat<
11. Boys in the Gang
12. >chat<
13. Me and My Desire
14. Biggest Prize in Sport
15. Hollywood
16. >chat<
17. Titanic Reaction
18. Emergency
19. >chat<
20. Homicide
21. >chat<
22. My Street Stinks
23. >chat<
24. Boiler



Hugh Cornwell Crossroads Festival Bonn 23rd March 2007


Here's a really nice sounding full band recording from Bonn's Crossroads Festival in 2007. Many thanks for share!

MP3 (as received): https://we.tl/D2osWEOGJX

Artwork: Included in the post.

01. Nice ‘N’ Sleazy
02. Picked Up By The Wind
03. Hanging Around
04. Bear Cage
05. Black Hair Black Eyes Black Suit
06. Always The Sun
07. Nerves Of Steel
08. Walk On By
09. No More Heroes
10. Peaches
11. Down In The Sewer