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.
Was it really six years ago that Mo charged through our back door to convey the news on that sunny lockdown afternoon that Dave had died?! Well yes it was.
I said it on here at the time that whilst it is said that the whole is bigger than the part... the part that Dave's extraordinary musical virtuosity brought to the Stranglers' sound was immense. In that sense whilst it is undoubtedly the case, and most certainly in the early years, that that the four members of the band each contributed uniquely to that 'sound', it was Dave's keyboard handiwork that provided the wax seal to the whole and that confirmed that you were indeed listening to The Stranglers.
Working with JJ in 1983 he was responsible for the soundtrack of the French art film 'Ecoutez Vos Murs' entitled 'Fire & Water'. In terms of audio material, I have posted all that I have, but here is a link once again to the brilliant Rat Zone produced collection of outtakes (here) and please note that if you search the site for Dave there are another couple of posts that relate to this most quirky of albums.
What I have not posted before is some of the press reaction to the album and the accompanying single, 'Rain & Dole & Tea'... 'Non!' sums up the collective view of the music press. Then again by 1983 the band were yesterday's news in the eyes of most music journalists.
Smash Hits (8th December 1983)
New Musical Express (17th December 1983)
Dave as the 'missing link between Gary Numan and Vangelis' !!!???
Record Mirror (7th January 1984)
Sadly, the single 'Rain & Dole & Tea' faired no better in the hands of the critics (Marc Almond).
NME would back in the day occasionally run a piece called 'Blackmail Corner' in which they would run with a prefame photo of a musician or group. Well I guess that given the number of band's that he was in prior to The Stranglers, our own Dave Greenfield would be a prime candidate for such a treatment. Here he is, in the 13th January 1979 issue, with Rusty Butler, a progrock outfit active that were active not so long before Dave threw in his lot with The Stranglers.
And here's a couple of gig ads from early 1974.
I am aware that some Rusty Butler demos exist.
It is a shame that no material from some of the Brighton based bands that he had an involvement with in the 1960s has materialised (The Ambassadors, The Mark Addam Showband, The Initials, Aquila and Freeway (not to mention The Originals and The New Originals... no sorry that's Spinal Tap!).
At around the time when Dave died, I saw on a Brighton based Facebook page a post comment from a member of The Ambassadors and I did send him a message asking wheter he had any recollections of working with Dave, but unfortunately no reply was forthcoming. Of course it could have been that their time with the band did not overlap.
As I mentioned in an earlier post, I find the pre-history of bands fascinating, so thanks to those that have trawled through the music papers pre-1976 for mentions of the bands with whom Hugh and Dave served their rock 'n' roll apprenticeships with!
Many thanks to Saz Chapman for allowing me to take the audio from her video clips and also to Jez Bottley who's recording of 'Nice 'n' Sleazy' meant that songwise this is a reflection of the full set from this most important of gigs. Many thanks to you both!
This was the near culmination of a very emotional day... tired and emotional for many, myself included. A friend's tribute in a place that Dave knew so well.
It is hard for me to get my head around the fact that it is now over two years since we grappled with the terrible news that Dave Greenfield, our maestro of the keys, had succumbed to COVID-19. He has been in my mind, if not daily, weekly ever since. Of course Dave had a funeral but like thousands of others it was limited due to COVID restrictions. Many people had been denied the opportunity of being able say goodbye until now.
When an online announcement appeared (perhaps a little prematurely!) that a charity gig was taking place in Dave's memory, I was quick off the mark to get tickets for what was effectively Dave's wake. This was my first visit to Somersham, Dave's adopted home village. I had intended to see Dave and Baz play some years previously but as I recall work travel requirements got in the way. I bitterly regret that now.
The line up looked great, a mix of collaborators and recent tour supports. On the day, sadly Ruts DC were not with us. They had to pull out due to personal circumstances, but no matter, as disappointing as it was, today was about Dave and the gathering of friends brought together by Dave and the music of The Stranglers.
The first band that I ventured into the hall for was Department S or more accurately their guitarist Phil Thompson. An all round nice guy, Phil also plays with The Rezillos and deps for The Vapors. As such he is steeped in that New Wave UK thing. He played a great set that took in 'Turning Japanese', Do Anything You Wanna Do', a bit of 'Psychokiller' and of course 'Is Vic There?'. A good start to the days proceedings.
My time was split between the activities on stage and the makeshift box office in the bar. This was not a problem as the box office table was commandeered by Owen, Jacquie, Nick and Elayne, so the conversation was good and the near proximity of the bar meant that the beers (and cider) flowed.
Gunta holding the box office fort.
I missed the Countess of Fife (who has a lovely hound by the way) but did see the acoustic Rezillos. In this respect the running order posted on the wall was rather misleading, suggesting as it did that the set would run to 40 minutes. In the event, the set ran to 3 songs, but that was OK, it was fun and presented Rocky with a new challenge... quieter drumming!
'I Can't Stand My Baby'
At this point the need for food intervened. The fact that I was drinking Stella Artois, a strong beer and never one that I would choose normally.... I did it all for Dave... meant that some manner of food related interlude was the best idea.
Early evening saw the worst excesses of this mad July weather abate to a degree.... or a few degrees... and we could sit outside.
Enter Baz Warne.
At 9.30 if the running order had any meaning at this point in the day.... I certainly wasn't keeping track of the time at the point that we filed in for Baz's set, we came to the most poignant part of the events of the day.
Throughout, performers had spoken fondly of Dave and their personal recollections of this remarkably talented and enigmatic musician. However, Baz's take on things was always going take things up to a higher emotional level.
Baz opened the set with a declaration that he was going to play a selection of songs that meant a lot to Dave. I was thrilled that he opened with Johnny Cash's 'The Man Comes Around', my album of the year back in 2002 when it was released. To hear a Strangler perform a non-Stranglers' song that means so much to me was wonderful. With it's visions of Armageddon it could have been a 'Gospel' era B-side!
Photo courtesy of Saz.
The set that followed was career spanning but what came across strongly from the stage was just how supportive the quiet man on the keyboards had been of the new boy in the band. more so it seems than another band member that had significantly less Stranglering time under his belt than Dave, Jet or JJ!
The penultimate song, 'And If You Should See Dave' was clearly the most poignant point of the day. I think that the decision to close the set with 'Always the Sun' thus ending his contribution was a good call on Baz's part as it lifted the crowd after the reflective solemnity of 'Dave'. I was pleased to hear my vocals on the recording!
Dave was a part of my life for 41 years, initially from a distance of the rock star/fan but in later years rather closer. On one of the last times I spoke to him in France there were just four of us and the four members of the band drinking beer in the dressing room and I was able to talk to Dave about his early years in Brighton (my neck of the woods as well).
So thanks Dave Greenfield for serving up the soundtrack of my life all the way from a teenager to a middle aged grump! It meant a lot!
'Listen Wakeman, if you say anything bad about my mate I'll stick Excalibur so far up your arse that even King Arthur won't have a hope of getting it out!'
Radio obituary to Dave Greenfield from the perspective of fellow keyboard maestro, Rick Wakeman of Yes fame. In fact, just as you would expect Rick has nothing but praise for his fellow musician (and progger!).
Being from a place called Burgess Hill I am well acquainted with Brighton (my Dad being a Brightonian as well helps). 10 miles separates the towns. First gigs were at Brighton venues too. I also love local history as it relates to the towns and cities that I have lived in and this is one of of the positive sides of social media, in that it offers a fantastic platform memories of former times. One chap on a Brighton past site focuses on the town's rich musical history of which our Dave was a prominent figure long before that 'tasche was even a remote possibility.
It is entirely possible that my Dad or members of his large family, all resident in Brighton throughout the 1960's, could well have engaged with a member of the opposite sex on the dancefloor to Dave's lilting keyboard melodies. Now there's a thought!
Sorry, I am a bit speechless this evening as the awful news of Dave's passing sinks in. These are absolutely horrible times that we are living through right now and now this.
Those closest to Dave say it best.
“On the evening of Sunday May 3rd my great friend and longstanding colleague of 45 years, the musical genius that was Dave Greenfield, passed away as one of the victims of the Great Pandemic of 2020. All of us in the worldwide Stranglers’ family grieve and send our sincerest condolences to Pam.” – JJ Burnel
“We have just lost a dear friend and music genius, and so has the whole world. Dave was a complete natural in music. Together, we toured the globe endlessly and it was clear he was adored by millions. A huge talent, a great loss, he is dearly missed.” – Jet Black
“We lost a true innovator, musical legend, and one of my dearest friends today. The word genius is bandied around far too easily in this day and age, but Dave Greenfield certainly was one. We stood together on the same side of the stage for 20 years, laughed, joked and shared our lives in the way that only band mates can. I’ll miss him forever. Our thoughts and hearts are with his wife Pam, and to the millions of fans who worshipped at his altar, he’ll never be equalled.” – Baz Warne
“We are all in shock, Dave was a kind, generous soul who had time for anyone and everyone and it has been my privilege to have known him as both a close friend, his tech and manager for over 40 years. Our thoughts are with Pam at this sad time” – Sil Willcox
I am very sorry to hear of the passing of Dave Greenfield. He was the difference between The Stranglers and every other punk band. His musical skill and gentle nature gave an interesting twist to the band. He should be remembered as the man who gave the world the music of “Golden Brown”.
- Hugh Cornwell
There is nothing else to be said right now other than that if there is an consolation to be had it is this, Dave and his band took us on a journey that lasted for over forty years and what a ride it was!
