I have rarely seen a more sympathetic reaction. Thank you for going with the groove and not interrupting the song/feeling. Your face while listening already told everything, you were really enjoying.

I played this album to death when it came out and still love it to this day. This makes the perfect closing track to it

The song is a metaphor for the claustrophobic, seedy side of London in the 70s

@dubsnbuds6668

Жыл бұрын

Finally someone who understands the lyrics

@eddiewillers1

6 ай бұрын

As well as the descriptions in James Herbert's "The Rats".

punk band my arse!.....being able to write stuff like this on your debut album is nothing short of genius.....the singles were great but when you can close an album with this track ......great things to come......the genius of dave Greenfield... great guitar lines.....brilliant percussion keeping the whole track moving and of course Burnels trade mark bass.....love it!

@fatClyde

2 жыл бұрын

They were more punk (attitude) than most other bands at the time. Forever in trouble with the law :)

@darrenjreynolds22

2 жыл бұрын

@@fatClyde true....the press viewed them with suspicion due to their age...and because the band themselves tired very quickly with the treatment handed out to them by certain journalists who had labelled them as misogynistic thugs, the band became very defensive towards critics.....jj especially believed in direct action.......and the birth of a true rock and roll icon was born...

@almklit

Жыл бұрын

@@fatClyde They were Punk before it got hijacked and the new rules of what Punk was developed by the likes of McClaren etc and suddenly they did not fit that well. I remember at the beginning 1975/1976 when they got more agressive through natural progression many of there contemporaries were impressed by them as they shared the same gigs and circuit early on, they were PUNK before they were signed but drifted away due to the infighting and being ostracised. In many ways their early ideas were plundered and assimilated by PUNK.

@BRYDO.DRUMMER

8 ай бұрын

HERE.HERE 🎹🥁🎵🐀🖤THEE BEST stranglers song by far in my opinion A MASTER CLASS👌🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🎹🥁🎵🐀🖤

@bodchristie

3 ай бұрын

The term punk for me covers many genre's, bands and the attitude. The MIB were so far ahead of the game. Rattus, No More Heroes, and B&W. All released within 18 month's......Quality! All still stand the test of time. As have the band....50 years on....

RIP Dave. Your keyboard parts were insane !

Love this track since i got the album in '77 The final part still gives me goosepimples now.

Down in the sewer is the best piece of music that there has ever been and ever likely to be. I could and have literally play this track over and over again and still want to play it more. A truly icon piece of music

Great closing track ! Justin, I hope that since you've already listened to the title track "No More Heroes", you will tackle this second album by The Stranglers ! In truth, their first six albums up to and including La Folie deserves your attention. Otherwise, as usual, I'm going to quote Hugh Cornwell in The Stranglers Song by Song 1974-1990: "'Sewer' started off with a bass line and I added the off-beat singing, like in 'Peaches'. We liked this style and it had already worked in 'Peaches'. The off-beat section on 'Sewer' is a more up-tempo version. I decided to put some lyrics over the top that were kind of ranting and raving. John had this other piece of music, which was very melodic. I told him I couldn't see it as a sung melody and suggested using it as a guitar solo line. It worked much better as an instrumental passage and that became the introductory theme. From there the song went through the various changes in 'Falling' into 'Down in the Sewer', which was the rap part. And then it went back into the third section, which became 'Trying to Get Out Again'. It was my idea to name the song like this. At first we just had these three pieces, which were working on for a few weeks, when suddenly this piece of melody came into my head, which became 'Rats' Rally'. Dave came up with a solo to fit, which is very classical. It reminded me of 'Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring' by Bach." "When Dave played my melody I remember singing it to him and making him play it faster and faster. So 'Rats' Rally' came at the end". Lyrically 'Sewer' is very similar to 'Grip' in that it's a description of what was going on, but a bit further down the line. The song is about our time gigging in London, when we'd been living in Surrey. Previous to that I'd been living in Sweden in the countryside. So the story was about our journey from our early days and many of the lyrics refer to the people we met in London." (so the sewer was London). "The song refers to what happens when you go the city. It's almost an autobiographical account of where I was and where I grew up. The others related to it because it seemed to indicate where we were at the time. Our music was always based on what we were experiencing. That's what made it valid."

Fun story. The Stranglers single "Strange Little Girls" once appeared in a newspaper's Top 20 charts listed as The Strangers Strangle Little Girls.

@tago69mago671

Ай бұрын

🤣🤣🤣🤣

'Down In the Sewer' is also inspired by an Episode of the TV series 'Surviviors 1975' called Lights of London parts one and two which featured the survivors of a deadly plague that escaped from a Lab in China (yes did they know something) hiding in the Sewer and finding lots of agressive Rats. Also Hugh and JJ used to go down to a sewerage farm and pick tomatoes when they were skint and hungry. Tomato seeds are not digested and often grow nearby.

Their first 4 albums are epic and the live one too . Love them .

The comparison with prog is well observed and is exactly why I was able to enjoy this album when I first heard it in 1977. Greenfield was a very talented musician who would have been comfortable in pretty much any genre of music

Best stranglers song in my opinion best song on the album Rattus is one of they’re best albums. And you’ve got to do the song Walk On By or Black and White album which is a masterpiece

@teethgrinder83

2 жыл бұрын

I had the chance to go and see them but couldn't get a lift, makes me sad 😔

@HT-io1eg

2 жыл бұрын

Black and White is a masterpiece. Saw them live, the men in black, fantastic

@goannaj3243

Жыл бұрын

My fav too

@descheleschilder401

Жыл бұрын

I accidentally stumbled upon your channel. And I love it! Pointing to the nice structures of the songs, the lyrics, and even hold your commentary back untill the last drop of water (in the sewer) has fallen. Keep up the great stuff you do!

@tenerifereddog3943

Жыл бұрын

For a debut album this is a masterpiece.

I remember waiting at our local record shop in Manchester on the day this was released. It's as good today as it was then. Thanks for the memories

It's taken from the viewpoint of a 1975 episode of a post apocalyptic TV series called 'Survivors' and where they left the safety of their farm to travel to London and had to enter by the sewers... 😁

@HippoYnYGlaw

2 жыл бұрын

Scary but riveting tv for us kids at the time.

@80ssynthfan48

2 жыл бұрын

Fascinating.

One of the most imaginative and exciting songs I've ever heard, always my own favourite track from the amazing Rattus Norvegicus album. They were such brilliant musicians and they all sounded at their best here

I agree there is real synergy between Cornwell and Greenfield in this song (in all their songs really). You mentioned the Doors in passing in your reaction and I again concur. I like to think of "Down In The Sewer" as their "Light My Fire". Long ago I recommended this particular song to you for reaction, and I'm glad you got to it!

@hotblackdesiato3022

2 жыл бұрын

@@Katehowe3010 I stand corrected 🙂

Check out “Dark Matters” the last Stranglers album , released 2021 , as good as anything they have ever done .

Punk with a hint of prog without going full on wizardry. Basically just a brilliant rock album. The stranglers would have been a great band as a 3 piece,but with Dave greenfield,it elevated them to something far better

Towards the end you mention that Sewer was maybe about people. 👍 in particular certain people. Dave Greenfield was just an epic guy and a stunning musician. Pleasure to have known you Dave

Truly great memories of first hearing this album for the first time when about to becoming a Motorbike "greaser" and then buying my first Motorbike. This music as an "ear worm" whilst we rode to the seaside. Stranglers' bassist J.J. Burnel bought out a solo album "Euroman Cometh" using the sounds of a Triumph motorbike as a musical intrument. The Album came out the same time as when I bought my Triumph T-160 Bonneville (USA style) a 1979 bike bought in '78.

@RushfanUK

2 жыл бұрын

I actually saw JJ on his solo tour for Euroman at the Mayfair in Newcastle.

@m.b-ee8815

2 жыл бұрын

Have you seen the limited edition Triumph they made for JJ?

They certainly had some Prog in there. Remember that Robert Fripp and Pete Hamill sat in for Cornwell when he had some legal issues.

I love these Stranglers reactions! And your face when JJ's dirty bass kicks in 🥰

I do so love the Hugh Cornwell era, I recently managed to track down a vinyl copy of 'All Twelve Inches', remixes of the best singles (from Greece of all places). I've had it on CD for years but always wanted it on vinyl, it was quite expensive but very worth it. It's great that you've done this JP, I hope that you look into more.

@hfhifi6878

2 жыл бұрын

Stranglers post-Cornwell weren't the Stranglers. His vocals and songwriting were what made them special.

@terry3881

2 жыл бұрын

@@hfhifi6878 of course there the stranglers ..Hugh wasn't a great singer .

@terry3881

2 жыл бұрын

When I use to use limewire there were so many great mixes of stranglers songs that ain't available on cd .

@ECCENTRICERIC69

2 жыл бұрын

@@terry3881 Hugh was an incredible singer you misguided eejit!!

@DazzleMonroe

2 жыл бұрын

@@hfhifi6878 I felt the same until I saw them a couple of months ago. No Hugh, no Dave Greenfield sadly and no Jett due to illness, but vocalist Baz has come along in leaps and bounds, and they are still a great band. I actually couldn't stand Paul, the guy who originally replaced Hugh. He was too showy.

Genius! Genius! Genius. I’m going to subscribe because you don’t interrupt like the other!🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇬🇧

I fkn love The Stranglers. Little known fact: Drummer Jett Black used to own an Ice Cream business, and they did their early tours using an ice cream van as a tour bus.

The extended closing instrumental section with its solos and tempo changes is - for me - one of the great musical achievements of the period. Great live, too!

Loving you reaction/discussion on The Stranglers. I've been a big fan since 1977 and enjoy a new generation getting to appreciate them. Your observations are spot on. If you have time I recommend you give their cover version of "Walk on By" a listen. You will not be disappointed. It also sets in stone the comparisons made with The Doors. Thank you

The Stranglers "Walk On By",, "..And If You Should See Dave",, "Skin Deep" & "Strange Little Girl" ...R.I.P. Dave 🙏 ❤

5 minutes is my favourite Stranglers track, great melody with just the right amount of aggression you associate with the band.

Reminds me of my time at college. A great album. Brings back many memories. Dave Greenfield was a big prog fan, and it shows! Good choice, JP!

You missed a track. There was a freebie single given away with this album Choosey Susie. Album not complete without it.

2:52 Everybody pulled that face :D

@TheSeagull78

4 ай бұрын

Best bass turnaround ever

The sewer is in reference to London and about living there at the time.

One of my favourite Stranglers tracks. The transitions are insane!

Thought I was getting Genesis but got the Stranglers so no problem for me I was happy ………man!

Dave Greenfield was an absolute genius. He was the heart of the Stranglers sound. I love the other guys but if you take Dave out of the equation they'd be just another band. By the way, you mention prog a lot and Dave was in a few prog bands before the Stranglers. There are a few tracks from one his old bands Rusty Butler on youtube!

I never thought of the stranglers as punk , they’d been going for a few years before punk , they were really good musicians too , I just thought they were contemporary rock for 1977 with a bad attitude , which I very much liked ! 👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Saw The Stranglers once at some point in a tent at some or other festival in Belgium. The Jack Daniel's was free and both my hands constantly had a full glass so my memory is kinda fuzzy, but I liked it. Especially Karen and Bibby afterwards. Stranglers? Sure. Anytime now.

This Album is their masterpiece, i think. Bass and Keys/Organ are outstanding good. Love it.

@theheepster

2 жыл бұрын

@@Katehowe3010 Another great Album👍

@davidheiser2225

2 жыл бұрын

@@Katehowe3010 In college I won an album from the college radio station by calling in and answering a question. No idea what album...I walked down to the station and they handed me a copy of Black and White. I had never heard of The Stranglers. Took it back to my dorm room and instantly fell in love with side 1. Took me a little longer to fall in love with side 2. Forty-four years later I still listen to that record (on that great-looking white/black/gray vinyl).

@a.k.1740

2 жыл бұрын

@@Katehowe3010 This idea of a White Side (with more accessible songs) and Black Side (with darker and experimental songs) is ultimately much more uncertain than what appears on the album because a confused song like "Hey! (Rise Of The Robots)" ) could have ended up on the second side and a more catchy track like "Death And Night And Blood (yukio)" could have been part of the first side but no doubt thematically and stylistically they had to fit exactly where they are. It all makes sense even if the line between clarity and confusion is thin on the Black and White album. I really like it, but it's very harsh in terms of sound and the sensations it conveys. It's an album that deserves more than it gives !

I'm enjoying your channel! Some great music of the past! Another great late 70s UK punk band you might wanna check out is X Ray Specs

Another brilliant reaction video.Amazing song.

Great finish to the album. I grew up with this. Still makes me rock out. The thing that gets me is that while the sound works as a whole you can isolate the instruments a hear something individual that's you can enjoy on it's own. I find myself changing my focus all the time . Great work .

Great reaction as usual. At the beginning of this vid you were 'strangling' yourself, LOL. Well, Hugh Cornwell did that very thing on stage, a couple of times, just for laughs. If you wanted to continue with this band the obvious choice would be the album "No More Heroes", for chronology's sake and it's a good album, imo, but I think "The Raven" might interest you more. The band had evolved beyond the 'punk' sound, even though the attitude remains. I would definitely recommend a listen. I know there are a lot of requests for "Black and White", but I think to skip "The Raven" would be a crime! You can then do B + W. Only a suggestion my friend, coz it's your channel and you do the choosing. I'll enjoy no matter what.

@a.k.1740

2 жыл бұрын

Of course Justin could be interested in The Raven (which is a great album), but before that, there are the No More Heroes and Black & White albums and those may also be of interest to Justin because those two also contain some unusual stuff ! I'm thinking in particular of "Peasant in the Big Shitty" and "School Mam" as well as "Do You Wanna?"/"Death and Night and Blood (Yukio)".

@cosmiccat6708

2 жыл бұрын

@@a.k.1740 You are right about the listening order and the tracks you mentioned, no argument there and I'm not dismissing those albums at all, it's just that I see "The Raven" as being a more eclectic album that would allow Justin to hear the varied styles. He will be able to make an informed decision after reading all the comments anyway, so lets just watch this space!

@a.k.1740

2 жыл бұрын

@@cosmiccat6708 Yes we will see what Justin decides... Besides, if I had to choose a single album from The Stranglers I think I would name The Raven as my favorite, but ideally I would like to see Justin react to No More More Heroes, Black and White, The Raven, The Gospel According to the Meninblack and La folie.

@cosmiccat6708

2 жыл бұрын

@@a.k.1740 100% agree!

Personally I have always favoured ‘Black and White’. Most probably as it was the first album of the Stranglers I listened to all the way through (I bought it when it was first released).

@almklit

Жыл бұрын

Yes my fav album if not all time.

Daves massive organ adds to everyting.

@JoanneTelling1

6 ай бұрын

Er...Massive Swelling Organ.

@deadbydayinblack

6 ай бұрын

@@JoanneTelling1 Very true. The daemon of the keyboards should not be sold short.

Love the album ,and you rock

In my mind the cross between prog and punk is best seen and heard in Marquee Moon’s ‘Marque Moon’.

@stshnie

2 жыл бұрын

OMG. Yes, fantastic track. Not heard that in a long time but it is, of course, Marquee Moon by Television.

@markphillips3186

2 жыл бұрын

@@stshnie D’oh! 🤦‍♂️

@stshnie

2 жыл бұрын

@@markphillips3186 Well, it is Marquee Moon off Marquee Moon by Television. And I knew exactly what you meant. Thanks for the reminder.

Greenfield's keyboards are unique.

I feel shivers down my spine on that last section

Afternoon, Justin. Dave from London. Flight Of The Rat? Far from it! A great finish to an excellent album. They had a big punk following (I remember from seeing them live) but musically they had evolved. Is this track prog? I imagine the band wouldn't like that (just as Radiohead hated that tag years later). I noticed Christian said this was the closest they got to The Doors. Yes, but on this track Dave Greenfield sounds to me as much like Jon Lord as Ray Manzarek, so maybe this riff driven song has a bit of a Deep Purple influence too (hence my song ref Flight Of The Rat, which is from DP in Rock)

@m.b-ee8815

2 жыл бұрын

@@Katehowe3010 Love Walk on By, but always thought the guitar solo was too long.

A non LP single released I 1978 "5 Minutes" is probably their heaviest sounding track of this era .

@andyhunter622

Жыл бұрын

And Shut Up !

@christopherfarrington9270

7 ай бұрын

i want a rocket to the moon.

Truly incomparable,

Funny intro! You ought to be on the stage! Next one leaves in half an hour! (Kidding. Do stay.) Water rat sex songs are too few and far between, some people may conceivably say. While not my thing, I do find the music to be very engaging indeed. I missed all of the punk music scene, having gone from late 60s/early 70s Prog to Classical, Jazz Fusion, World, Avant-Garde, New Age, World, with some New Wave folded in. This seems like it would be at the high end of the Punky canon. You're right, it does appeal to the Prog sentiment. Humor is always welcome in music, and they pack it in. Tx!

'Like a force nine gale of bad breath.'

I'm a Prog fan. Always loved The Stranglers.

Enjoyable

The Stranglers were THE psychedelic punks. The Doors English cousins.

The stranglers family have lost two brothers RIP Jet black 🥁🖤 and RIP Dave Greenfield 🎹 can't believe we have lost both of you a great loss to the music world 🌍🌎

Fkn awesome that you’ve done one of my fav ever tracks , seen the Stranglers once in Scotland but they were sht and their lead singer left not long after … sadly , I’m a huge fan and Rattus was my fav album and down in the sewer is my fav track off it 👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Listen to genetix from the album the raven its pure bass porn , from thee best group ever to grace this earth. God bless the Stranglers 🐀🎹😍

The full title is in pure prog style. Difficult to say where it starts the mockery and where it ends the proud assertion of being punk of totally different breed "Down in the Sewer" a. "Falling" b. "Down in the Sewer" c. "Trying to Get Out Again" d. "Rats Rally"

This and Duchess are my fave songs. I was lucky enough to see them when Dave was alive. Awesome as expected

Love getting lost in this masterpiece

Got a new band for you JP... Psychedelic Porn Crumpets- Found God in a Tomato 🍅. A band i have found and enjoy the hell out of them. Captured my faith in today's music, kids can still play great music.

@JustJP

2 жыл бұрын

What a fun name :)

@michaelakkerman407

2 жыл бұрын

@@JustJP the music is just as fun...it made me believe the future of music is in great hands if bands like this is taking the reigns.

JJ burnel is a bass playing god

'It's not about the length, it's about what's done with the length', has to be one of the greatest unintentional out of context truisms ever uttered.

@JustJP

2 жыл бұрын

😶

perfection from start to finish .

The Sewer, London of the seventies for a struggling band.

Interesting with mention of the drums... from 6:28 the rest of the entire song (two minutes) is a singles roll LRLRLRLRLR all the way through, just move it around the kit a bit, throw in a few accents at appropriate places and hey presto, the most iconic drum section in The Stranglers entire catalogue! 👍

Wow Just brilliant 👏

Always thought this v powerful track must be influenced by James Herbert The Rats (1974)

A punk floyd song if ever I've heard one.

Untouchable Genius.

I think the whole song is from a rat's point of view. Should never left the farm, ending up to sewer, going, erm, over the fence with water rats and so on. But from Klaus Schulze to Stranglers, almost like a kaleidoscope of two colours only. :)

@peterkin1010

2 жыл бұрын

You know something? I've been familiar with that track ever since it's year of release and never saw it as being from the view of a rat. Thank you for that, all makes sense now 45 yrs later.

Walk on by or Nice n sleazy are great songs. still going strong and saw them live a few months ago. Despite tragic loss of Dave Greenfield. Their latest album is excellent Dark Matters. Try White Stallion off the album or the tribute to Dave - If you should see Dave.

The Doors. I get the same feel. But this is still one of those days where I have nothing to add. I do have some nice, weird *XTC* though. *Cross Wires* kzread.info/dash/bejne/Yqh3m9KqcZvOabw.html Should be enjoyably far enough away from most peoples comfort zones (but almost not too far away at times).

Genius lyrics you never forget

im a punk hoper but stranglers has a very big influence so does iggy

A totally amazing album you should check out is by the Swiss band Yello:'Stella'.It will take your mind on an amazing journey

Awesome ending to an awesome album very similar to school ma'am 9n No more heroes!

6:28 onwards - goosebumps. As lots of other have said, check out Walk on by next, the best cover song ever, they really took it by the throat and made it a Stranglers song. Then do the Black and White album.

@normandavidtidiman9918

2 жыл бұрын

No More Heroes next...

Hey Justin, your thumbnail says Happy the Man by Genesis : )

@JustJP

2 жыл бұрын

Omg so embarrassing 😅 ty

@Lightmane

2 жыл бұрын

@@JustJP Well, you were being choked, so it's understandable why it happened 😃

@parshakamarsh

2 жыл бұрын

@@JustJP 😂

Raw, critic, attitude, underground'ish. If not heard maybe you like The Godfathers, its kinda same "punkish" / "New wave" attitude aggro. The album "More songs about love & hate" or suggestions: Cause i said so How low is low She gave me love Birth School Work Death . .

How many roads must a song walk down Before you call it a song? I was 15 or 16 when I first heard this album, still love it.

Considering when this was written, its a masterpiece , Stranglers greatest song , only the Stranglers could have produced this at the height of the punk explosion , it put them above almost every other punk group on talent and being original , only the Damned came close

So are you gonna react to another stranglers album ?...maybe no more heroes?

You must have been seeing all the Walk On By requests. Come on… bonus track! 😉

I’ll see you in the sewer darrrrrrrllliiinnnn ! 😃🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

If i'm not mistaken, this was about 1977, and the were talking about too mutch shit in our water and the sea, and nearly 50 years l8r, our fuctarded politicians still dont agre we need to do some thing, hahahahaah

I’ll see you in the sewer darlinnnnnn 😮 👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Were you strangling yourself at the beginning, or was it a tribute to Hugh's "enigmatic wank"?

Who woulda thunk it? Elements of Early Max Webster. The tapestry of colliding continents. I’d have enjoyed more guitar! (See Kim Mitchell). 1977..I’d just discovered Seconds Out so for a kid there were simply no options but to enjoy the Stranglers radio singles but be sweeped away by Phil, Bill ,Chester and the boys. Stranglers? Loved their crunchie bass & drums. Diolch! Just listened again. The guitar’s strong in the first part... ah i know ,it’s the B-52s vocal that’s confusing me. .. and too much organ?!

Main riff sounds like Deep Purple's Strange Kind of Woman

@m.b-ee8815

2 жыл бұрын

Nothing like it.

Pity that classic dirty bass sound diminished as JJ acquired better equipment.

Justin, you can't help but focus on Dave Greenfield ?... Well, let me tell you... you ain't heard nothin' yet! 😉

Oh my The strangler better then the best And more or less unknown

It's about a rat!!...

Feline is good but black and white is the top dog

Unfortunately, gets regressively bitty after Rattus- No More Heroes era has some good tracks (Straighten Out, 5 minutes) but also some holes. By the time of Black and White I think they are in a very strange place musically - including a cover version (??) After that it is - hoping for at least 2 good songs on the album time. I should know- I went through buying the Raven, Meninblack, La Folie back in the day. They are not Rattus

@donquixote3927

6 ай бұрын

Have to agree with you. They seemed to lose there way, although IMO No More Heroes and this are of a pair. Meninblack was the nadir and they rose again, but not nearly to such heights.