Join two Stranglers obsessives as we record a cover version of, and discuss, the music by the best on the planet - The Stranglers! Get a ‘Grip’ on the Meninblack each week as we break down the songs in detail, then give the track a score to decide if it's Nice... or if it's Sleazy! Head over to https://www.restrangled.com (https://www.restrangled.com) where you can vote in our audience poll, view song stats and buy us a coffee!
Rounding off Season 1 with the closing track from the aptly named tenth album, ‘10’, we’re tackling JJ’s reflective ‘Never To Look Back’.
We’re joined by our first international guest, plugin developer and stateside Stranglers superfan Paul Neyrinck.
Our chat takes us on a journey through Paul’s history and discovering the Meninblack in Montana, an in-depth discussion of the much-debated ‘10’ and, as usual, our deep dive into the lyrics, music and production.
Our cover is a slightly ‘rocked-up’ version of the original, with extra-dynamic drums and eclectic keyboards.
That’s a wrap on Season 1! We’ll be taking a break now whilst we prepare our songs for Season 2. A massive thank you to everyone who’s listened, commented, voted and bought us a coffee so far. Stay tuned for some bonus content in between seasons!
The truth is changed by… the votes our fans will cast. Head to https://www.restrangled.com (https://www.restrangled.com), where you can vote on all the songs, get in touch and buy us a much-needed coffee. Don’t forget to play Stranglerdle, our Stranglers-based Wordle.
Check out Paul’s excellent software and plugins over at https://neyrinck.com/ (https://neyrinck.com/)
‘Ten reasons why 10 by the Stranglers is ofTEN on my turntable’, a review by Roger Kasper in Punktuation Magazine: https://tinyurl.com/punktuation10review (https://tinyurl.com/punktuation10review)
10 Oct 2026
Ep 17 - The Lines
This week we’re having a look at one the gentlest tracks in the catalogue, ‘The Lines’ from 2021’s ’Dark Matters’.
We discuss the band’s 2021 Rat Chat video series, Jean-Jacques Burnel’s understated lyrics and Bertie’s triumph over Chris Tarrant.
The brief for the cover was to import a bit of Everly Brothers style with a country shuffle rhythm and a gorgeous 2 part harmony provided by Mili of Mili & Bertie fame.
‘This one was from coffee..’ Don’t forget to head to https://www.restrangled.com (https://www.restrangled.com) where you can have your say in our audience poll, view all the song stats and buy us a coffee.
Mili & Bertie - “Say it Right (Next Time)” https://open.spotify.com/track/1W4EnDE0xBs188mZuGz2f5?si=e62e4ee5cda245a3 (https://open.spotify.com/track/1W4EnDE0xBs188mZuGz2f5?si=e62e4ee5cda245a3)
3 Oct 2026
Ep 16 - Punch & Judy
This week we take on a goofy little ditty from 1984's Aural Sculpture. A rock 'n' roll, knees-up, brass-laden tune about a seaside puppet show? Only The Stranglers could do it… It's 'Punch & Judy'.
We discuss the Italian origins of the puppets that inspired the song, debate the merits of the brass section, and ask the big question: is a giant papier-mâché ear a good concept for an album?
Our cover is a bit more dynamic in the drum department, with a few extra touches to liven it up!
See such soul and beauty over at our website https://www.restrangled.com (https://www.restrangled.com), where you can vote in the audience scores poll, view the song stats and buy us a strong cup of coffee.
26 Sept 2026
Ep 15 - Summat Outanowt
We’re diving into ‘Suite XVI’ this week with the high-octane rocker ‘Summat Outanowt’.
This week we talk about JJ’s use of some interesting musical scales, Baz’s almost “Cornwell-ian” guitar work, and explore Dave’s excellent array of synthesized bells and whistles, including a cheeky Theremin.
Our ReStrangled cover version is a fairly faithful rendition of the original version.
We’ve recently had a huge overhaul to the website - all the song stats are now available to view, you can claim your old votes, view and change them too! A huge thankyou to Paul Neyrinck for his help in getting the new website set up - you should check out his work over at www.neyrinck.com (http://www.neyrinck.com)
Throw away your crutch and be bold! Head to https://www.restrangled.com (https://www.restrangled.com) where you can cast your votes on our audience poll, get in touch and buy us a coffee.
19 Sept 2026
Ep 14 - Golden Brown
This week we’re taking on the big one from 1981, the curious hit single that is ‘Golden Brown’ off of ‘La Folie’.
We discuss the song’s recent resurgence in popularity, explore the peculiar time signature, provide our usual breakdowns of the complex instrumentation and, of course, the all important scores!
As always we’ve recorded our ReStrangled cover version - a fairly faithful cover with an original, symphonic arrangement introduction inspired by the live version from the ‘Friday the 13th’ gig at the Royal Albert Hall.
We’ve recently had a huge overhaul to the website - song stats for every song in the catalogue are now live! You can claim your old votes, view and change them too! https://www.restrangled.com (https://www.restrangled.com).
A huge thank you to Paul Neyrinck for his help in getting the new website set up - you should check out his work over at https://www.neyrinck.com (https://www.neyrinck.com)
12 Sept 2026
Ep 13 - Dead Ringer
We tackle a classic this week - Dave Greenfield’s Stranglers vocal debut off of 1977’s ‘No More Heroes’ - the bizarre, blues-jazz-psychedelic-swing track that is ‘Dead Ringer’
We dive into the album No More Heroes as a whole, provide our usual in depth breakdown of the bizarre instrumentation and ask the all-important question… ‘What is a Conkeroonee Stringer?’
Wasn’t it you…? That said you was into supporting our podcast? Head to https://www.restrangled.com (https://www.restrangled.com) and buy us a coffee, vote in our audience poll and view our song stats.
(Image credit: Erica Echenberg/Getty)
5 Sept 2026
Ep 12 - In a While - with Steve Hillier & Stevey Malone
This week we’re joined by our first special guests, long-time Stranglers fans - Steve Hillier and Stevey Malone - to tackle the atmospheric track ‘In A While’ off of 1997’s ‘Written In Red’.
Steve Hillier is an original Finchley boy, a group of london boys who followed and worked for the band in the early years. Stevey Malone is a Swansea born musician and ex-professional footballer who has been following the band for years and has played bass for The Skids among other projects.
A bit of a detour from our usual programming this week as the Steve’s tell us some stories from back in the day including raucous tales of violent early gigs, a gob-covered support band and surprising hotel maids by sleeping in laundry cupboards.
If you enjoy what we’re doing, head over to our website https://www.restrangled.com (https://www.restrangled.com) where you can vote in our audience poll, view all the song stats and buy us a coffee.
Paul Roberts Comments on the lyrics of his songs - https://web.archive.org/web/20160711125601/http://soulsec.com/lyrics/writteninred.htm (https://web.archive.org/web/20160711125601/http://soulsec.com/lyrics/writteninred.htm)
29 Aug 2026
Ep 11 - Giants
The title track ‘Giants’ from the album ‘Giants’ is up for discussion this week. Alongside our usual breakdowns of the instrumentation and lyrics, we talk titans of industry, lilliputians and discuss our memories of the album’s release in 2012.
If you enjoy what we’re doing, buy us a coffee over at https://www.restrangled.com (https://www.restrangled.com) where you can also see the song stats and vote in our audience poll.
22 Aug 2026
Ep 10 - Just Like Nothing on Earth
This week we’re performing an alien autopsy on the oddball single ‘Just Like Nothing On Earth’. The second track from the 1981 concept album ‘The Gospel According To The Meninblack’.
Our discussion sees us exploring the bizarre blend of paranormal, biblical and narcotic influences behind this album as well as a breakdown of the tongue twisting lyrics and wild instrumentation.
A podcast in perpetuity please people, purchase of peruvian potables is permissible as payment. Translation: buy us coffee please - https://www.restrangled.com (https://www.restrangled.com). Don’t forget to vote in our audience poll and check out the song stats.
Illustration provided by Official UFO July 1977
Roland MP-600 Samples - https://www.leonardcharlesrecords.com/free-ableton-live-packs (https://www.leonardcharlesrecords.com/free-ableton-live-packs)
15 Aug 2026
Ep 9 - Big In America
Join us on a trip across the pond this week as we tackle Hugh’s sardonic paean to the US of A: ‘Big In America’ from 1986’s ‘Dreamtime’
We discuss the interesting chords and lyrical content, take a deep dive into Dreamtime as a whole and apparently it’s pop quiz week, with plenty of humorous digressions, blame the heat!
Our ReStrangling cover this week is a barn-stomping bluegrass-country-skiffle interpretation inspired by Jerry Reed, Dr Hook and Chas & Dave. Complete with banjo, honky-tonk piano and some superstition-style clavinet for good measure. Yeehaw!
Don’t forget to head over to our website https://www.restrangled.com (https://www.restrangled.com) where you can vote in our audience poll, view the song stats and buy us a pot of American coffee.
Big In America - Live In Madrid 1986 - https://youtu.be/w1pMFMIlFRk?si=AVk0n8DDimByspbA&t=1493 (https://youtu.be/w1pMFMIlFRk?si=AVk0n8DDimByspbA&t=1493)
8 Aug 2026
Ep 8 - God Is Good
This week we’re taking a look at the psychedelic / dance / trip hop oddity that is ‘God Is Good’ from 1998’s ‘Coup De Grace’.
We discuss the lyrical and musical content, the circumstances surrounding the album and where the track fits into the musical landscape of 1998. Our interpretative hard rock cover takes the song to a different place entirely.
Have your say in our audience poll over at https://www.restrangled.com (https://www.restrangled.com) where you can also view all the song stats and buy us a much required coffee after this episode.
Check out Mili & Bertie here - https://www.miliandbertie.com/ (https://www.miliandbertie.com/)
Live Bootleg - Rock City Nottingham 1998 - Aural Sculptors Blog - https://tinyurl.com/yh7db3w3 (https://tinyurl.com/yh7db3w3)
1 Aug 2026
Ep 7 - Ships That Pass In The Night
We’re feeling Feline this week as we jump aboard the intriguing track Ships That Pass In the Night from 1983.
Join our natterings on this nautical number as we talk about the concept of Feline, the origin of the title phrase, The mandela effect harmonies and introduce our new section ‘The Gospel according to the MenInTrap’.
Our cover is inspired by Hugh’s comments about the arrangement and production. We've kept it relatively faithful with a few modern production flourishes bringing Feline into the 21st century or ‘Feline Plus’ as we’ve dubbed it.
Don’t forget to set sail over to our website where you can vote in the audience poll, view the song stats page and buy us a coffee https://www.restrangled.com (https://www.restrangled.com)
Stranglers In The Night Documentary - 1985 - https://youtu.be/zxK4Sg3R2XQ (https://youtu.be/zxK4Sg3R2XQ)
25 Jul 2026
Ep 6 - Ice
This week we break the Ice around the track.. Ice. JJ’s Hagakure inspired track from 1979’s The Raven.
We explore the far eastern influences to this track; The Book of The Samurai, Yukio Mishima and Seppuku. We look at the yin and yang of Ice’s live performances and in depth breakdowns of the sequencer-esque synths and spidery guitar work.
If there’s no reason for your words, then your silence ain’t absurd - head to https://www.restrangled.com (https://www.restrangled.com) where you can get in touch, vote in our audience poll and buy us a coffee.
Live in Nottingham on the TV show Rockstage 19th Aug 1980
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5sRs72jRzpg4nia4HsLqKaIg8FMCASBL&si=DXIz3NkiWlE5TTo5 (https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5sRs72jRzpg4nia4HsLqKaIg8FMCASBL&si=DXIz3NkiWlE5TTo5)
18 Jul 2026
Ep 5 - Grand Canyon
We’re jumping into ‘In The Night’ this week as we scale the rocky cliffs of John Ellis’ 1992 track ‘Grand Canyon’.
We discuss the introduction of the ‘new boys’ Paul Roberts and John Ellis following Hugh’s departure, the musical landscape in the 90’s and ask the question - ‘does a tom fill maketh the song?’
The cover this week is a bit of an interpretation. Leaning into the synth-pop vibes and channeling some 80’s energy with the mindset ‘what would this song sound like if it was released in 1984?’.
The space between us doesn’t need to break your heart, get into the song stats in detail over at https://www.restrangled.com (https://www.restrangled.com) where you can also vote in our audience poll and buy us a coffee.
11 Jul 2026
Ep 4 - Curfew
Grey becomes Black and White this week as we tackle the 1978 JJ led classic - Curfew.
Join us for an in-depth discussion of the track including 7/8 time signatures, D sharp whole tone scales, ‘Pronk’ and listen to our faithful cover of the original.
See all the song stats written in black and white over at https://www.restrangled.com (https://www.restrangled.com). You can also vote for your favourites and buy us a black (or white) coffee!
Big Thing Coming Video - https://youtu.be/eJQHnmyV4vk?si=3FpC6KPOBwRSU4B2 (https://youtu.be/eJQHnmyV4vk?si=3FpC6KPOBwRSU4B2)
Eventide 910 Harmonizer Plugin - https://www.eventideaudio.com/plug-ins/h910-harmonizer/ (https://www.eventideaudio.com/plug-ins/h910-harmonizer/)
4 Jul 2026
Ep 3 - Lucky Finger
It’s ‘About Time’ this week as we talk about John Ellis’ fortuitous digits on the 1995 track Lucky Finger. We talk religious artifacts, harpsichords and bottleneck guitar.
It’s also 'About Time' you head to https://www.restrangled.com (http://www.restrangled.com) where you can get your lucky fingers into the song stats, vote for your favourites and buy us a much needed coffee.
4 Jul 2026
Ep 2 - Big Thing Coming
There’s a Big Thing Coming this week as the lads take on the first single from 2004’s Norfolk Coast. We talk seahenge, telecaster worship and which venue has the best live sound.
Don’t forget to check out https://www.restrangled.com (https://www.restrangled.com) where you can cast your votes for the next episode’s score, view an abundance of song facts and buy us a coffee!
4 Jul 2026
Ep 1 - (Get A) Grip [On Yourself]
Kicking things off with a big one, we start our podcast by getting a grip on Grip, The Stranglers first single from 1977. We talk Morry Thou’s, coal mining sax players and the genius of Dave Greenfield.
But the money’s no good! So if you enjoy what we’re doing you can buy us a coffee, vote for your favourite tracks and view the stats for each song on our website https://www.restrangled.com (https://www.restrangled.com)
Stranglers MIDI Files - https://www.rppmf.com/ (https://www.rppmf.com/)
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Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
1 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
21 ratings
Contact ReStrangled: The Stranglers Fan Podcast
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