Song:Skin Deep
Album:Greatest Hits 1977-1990
The Stranglers were pioneers of the British punk rock movement in the 70s. As punk died out in the early 80s, their sound matured and they had their biggest chart success with the 1984 song Skin Deep. The group began as The Guildford Stranglers with guitarist vocalist Hugh Cornwell (born Aug. 28, 1949 in North London), bassist Jean-Jacques Brunel (born Feb. 21, 1952 in London), keyboardist Dave Greenfield (born Mar. 29, 1949 in Brighton) and drummer Jet Black (born Brian Duffy Aug. 26, 1938 in Essex). They worked out of Black's club The Jackpot. Cornwell had previously played with Richard Thompson. Brunel was classically trained and Black was a jazz drummer. They got attention by opening for touring US groups like The Ramones. Their early albums on EMI got them a rabid following but they had mixed commercial results and left EMI in 1982 and signed with Epic. Skin Deep is from their second album on Epic called Aural Sculpture. Their sound was more mature at this point though the punk fans perceived them as sellouts. But Aural Sculpture was their most successful album worldwide and they continued that success until Cornwell left in 1990. This comp is a good intro to their music. The Stranglers continue today and last recorded in 2006. But Black has had health issues and Brunel has suggested The Stranglers may go into semi-retirement. Cornwell has recorded his own CDs. Here's the video for Skin Deep by The Stranglers.
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