Golden Brown, Strange Little Girl, Always The Sun, Peaches, No More Heroes, Nice & Sleazy…Sound familiar ? All big hits, all great songs, all written and sung by Hugh Cornwell, the songwriter behind The Stranglers.
As leader of The Stranglers, Hugh was the main songwriter of all the band’s most memorable songs across ten stellar albums. Their 1977 debut Rattus Norvegicus – featuring seminal songs Peaches, (Get A) Grip, (On Yourself), and more – follow up albums No More Heroes, Black and White, The Raven and The Gospel According To The MenInBlack – which Hugh cites as his favourite Stranglers album – consolidated Cornwell’s stature as a unique songwriter and musician. His lyrics to Golden Brown, from the La Folie album, and their multiple meanings, is a songwriting masterclass with the song reaching number 2 in the UK singles charts. After releasing his final album 10 with the band Hugh embarked on a solo career. Fast forward to 2022 and Hugh’s lastest album Moments of Madness is an album of acute, pithy, and witty observations which has received widespread critical acclaim.
Mojo – “Cornwell’s still doing things his way and often with striking results”
4/4 star review Uncut – “Thunderously tribal garage rock…the ex- Strangler not yet gone soft”
Vive Le Rock – “a hugely enjoyable journey through the thoughts and musings of one of the most mercurial minds working in modern music”
Louder Than War – “A late flowering classic from a man that has always known how to write a good tune”
with special guests The Primitives
The Primitives are an English indie rock band from Coventry, best known for their 1988 international hit single “Crash”. Formed in 1984, disbanded in 1992 and reformed in 2009, the band’s two constant members throughout their recording career have been vocalist Tracy Tracy and guitarist Paul Court. Drummer Tig Williams has been a constant member since 1987. Often described as an indie pop or indie rock band, The Primitives’ musical style can also be seen as straddling power pop, new wave and post-punk.