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.


Wednesday, 29 March 2023

Ombudsmen Hope And Anchor Islington London 26th March 2023

 

Having got over the disappointment of the cancellation of the scheduled gig at the Dublin Castle in Camden, Ombudsmen's London debut was upon us in the form of a Sunday matinee gig at the equally prestigious Hope & Anchor on Islington's Upper Street. A hallowed venue in my opinion having played host to pretty much every band that I have ever been into, including The Stranglers, The Damned, 999  and The Specials. To stand in that small subterranean space is to absorb something of London's musical heritage of the past 50 years! And lo and behold, that's Mo on the stage as one of Manchester's Ombudsmen.

'Shifting Sands' by Ombudsmen
Hope & Anchor, Islington, London
26th March 2023.

The band have been building up something of a live reputation in Manchester in particular (they supported Scott Lavene last week), but also in Liverpool and other towns in the North West (Huddersfield and Blackpool come to mind). 

They play a set of original material that draws in influences from Devo (just listen to 'Solon's Marble' and you will see where I am coming from to post punk (I can hear early Factory era Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark in the intro to 'Take Everything'. Other reviewers have likened the bands sound to kraut rock pioneers such as Neu!. I know that such comparisons are very pleasing for Mo, who is a big fan!

'Solon's Marble' by Ombudsmen.

The band are not afraid of experimentation in their songs with frequent tempo changes unexpected experimental breaks. Mo has adopted a static stance on stage which is a good counterpoint to her moments of let's say more aggressive vocals.

'Fake It' by Ombudsmen.

Many thanks to the taper who was happy to share this recording with me. Much appreciated!

WAV: https://we.tl/t-zqNInuU7mm

Artwork: https://we.tl/t-snkdeT3wvW

The bands current E.P., 'Fizzy Milk' can be found on Spotify.

Friday, 24 March 2023

Hugh Cornwell Inked 1978


'Don't care whereabouts they send me now
Send picture postcards to my old mother and father
And when I come home they'll have
Someone to be proud of
I can drive (drive)
My very own tank'.

Hugh Cornwell (The Stranglers)
15cm x 20cm linoprint
Black ink on cream card.

 

Jean Jacques Burnel Inked 978

 


'Bring me a piece of my mummy
She was quite close to me'.

Jean Jacques Burnel (The Stranglers)
15cm x 20cm linoprint
Blank ink on cream card.


Dve Greenfield Inked 1978

 

'Let out all the prisoners
Cause that's a jubilee'.

Dave Greenfield (The Stranglers)
15cm x 20cm linoprint
Black ink on cream card.

Jet Black 1978 Inked

 

'Communion's got a lot of grace
It's got style and bread and wine
But they're not mine!
You know what I like!'

Jet Black (The Stranglers)
15cm x 20cm linoprint
Black ink on cream card.

Saturday, 18 March 2023

Hugh Cornwell O2 Academy Newcastle 13th November 2009

 


With Hugh on the road again in the UK and Europe throughout April and May, it's good to put something up from the man. Here in Newcastle back in 2009.

FLAC: https://we.tl/t-r4qOicsY2c

Artwork: https://we.tl/t-WQ3YX0UmRn

01. Wrong Side Of The Tracks
02. Going To The City
03. Delightful Nightmare
04. Within You Or Without You
05. Rain On A River
06. Beat Of My Heart
07. Philip K Ridiculous
08. The Pleasure Of Your Company
09. Please Don't Put Me On A Slow Boat To Trowbridge
10. Banging On At The Same Old Beat
11. Crowd

01. Sometimes
02. Goodbye Toulouse
03. London Lady
04. Princess Of The Streets
05. Hanging Around
06. Peaches
07. (Get A) Grip (On Yourself)
08. Ugly
09. Down In The Sewer
10. Encore Break
11. Golden Brown
12. Lay Back On Me Pal
13. 24-7
14. Straighten Out
15. No More Heroes

Sunday, 5 March 2023

Heath Ledger Inked

 


Heath Ledger (The Joker)
Linorpint 15cm x 20cm
Black ink on cream card.

I admit my knowledge of Batman starts and stops with Adam West, Bert Ward and shark repellent bat spray. However from The Joker to The Adicts I love the visual imagery of this character.