The Stranglers / Taxi to the Ocean

Although it would be mighty expensive to get one there, Taxi To the Ocean hail from the Netherlands. There is a definite influence of Pearl Jam in there, especially with singer Just Posthumus’ long locks and head swaying. I would not have chosen them as support for the legendary Stranglers, as a distinctive lack of punk frolicking is displayed, but they are brilliant none the less. Imagine pop songs heavily laced with indie rock guitars and tight melodies. I wish ‘em luck and hope they get that taxi.



The Stranglers, though missing singer Hugh Cornwall, are on top form. Starting off with ‘5 Minutes’, ‘Grip’ and new single ‘Spectre Of Love’, the oldest crowd are well up for it. Many steered clear of the first band, a shame in my opinion, but downed their pints and geared up for the headliners. Baz Warne carries out the bulk of the singing duties, whilst JJ Brunel assists like in the old days. Brian Duffy (aka Jet Black) is tucked away behind his drums, as is the same for Dave Greenfield and his keyboards. The familiar plod of JJ’s trebly distorted bass provokes a hoard of “Durh Du Dur” crowd vocals for the start of ‘Peaches’, after another newbie ‘Unbroken’. ‘Golden Brown’ appears halfway through the set.




There is a funny moment when some pants are thrown onstage; Baz gets a pink thong (“I wouldn’t wipe my guitar down with anything else!”) and JJ gets a huge pair of men’s kegs. Enough to wipe down the drum kit. And then some. Add to that great tracks like ‘Walk On By’, ‘All Day And All Of The Night’ and ‘Duchess’, and you’ve got a great stumble down memory lane.

FUTURE GIGS