An intriguing, in-depth portal into Baz's experience as guitarist and singer of one of the world's best known bands
Putting the seemingly endless debates over personnel aside, it is an undeniable fact that singer and guitarist Baz Warne is an integral part of The Stranglers, having joined the band 26 years ago. Initially he was the guitarist, replacing John Ellis, while Paul Roberts continued as vocalist (following Hugh Cornwell‘s sudden exit in 1990). Paul’s departure in 2006 led to the logical decision for Baz to step to the front as lead vocalist, in addition to his guitar duties, returning The Strangers to their original 4-piece format which works so well.
The band have gone on to sell out large venues and draw huge crowds at festivals across the world, and to release several successful new albums over the last two and a half decades, with a well-deserved reputation for both top-notch live performances and new music.
Initially, Baz was skeptical about writing his memoirs.. “I didn’t think anybody would be interested!” he reckoned.. Fortunately he was convinced otherwise, and set about reviewing his tour diaries, writing about his birthplace and background, and compiling what has become a fascinating book written in his own warm, humorous and engaging style.
Baz opens ‘No Grass Grows On A Busy Street: 25 Years On The Road With The Stranglers‘ with a short introduction to the book, admitting “I get a bit spiky at times”! He then gives us a few snapshots of his early life; a proud Makem and to this day a supporter of Sunderland Association Football Club, his Northeast English roots make him strong. He tells how he got into music, and joined his first real band – The Toy Dolls – aged 19, jetting off on tour across Europe and the USA!
His successful audition to join The Stranglers almost didn’t happen.. read the story in the book! Fortunately everything fell into place, and Baz was given just a short few weeks to learn all of the material before the band hit the road..
The video below shows Baz in conversation with Mark Hart from the Rock N Roll Book Club, Baz explaining his parents’ reaction to getting a namecheck at The Stranglers‘ gig at Newcastle City Hall:
Much of ‘No Grass Grows On A Busy Street: 25 Years On The Road With The Stranglers‘ is taken up with Baz‘s tour diaries from The Stranglers‘ annual international tours. There’s an added bonus in that Baz has written something fresh about each one, from his current day perspective. He includes many previously untold anecdotes to chuckle along with.
We become absorbed by tales of travel chaos, much comradeship between the band and the crew, high jinks on and off stage, and sometimes, dealing with less than pleasant people in or managing other bands. Baz pulls no punches, he gives his honest opinions about certain interactions!
Here’s Baz on his bass player buddy, JJ Burnel:
The history of The Stranglers is also covered from Baz‘s perspective – personnel changes were inevitable, due to toxic communication in some instances, and sadly, illness and old age in the case of our dear departed drummer Jet Black. Baz recalls many fond memories of both Jet and equally dearly departed keyboard maestro Dave Greenfield.
I always get the sense that both men are still very much present during the live shows, and asked Baz if he felt that too? He told me he does, and that they will sometimes pop into his head while he’s playing.. I’d noticed that wistful look he and bass barracuda JJ Burnel have drift across their faces whenever they’re thinking of Jet or Dave for a moment..
It’s safe to say that Jim Macaulay on drums (since 2012) and Toby Hounsham on keyboards (since 2021) have indeed filled those very big shoes, and the current live band is exciting, incendiary and great fun! Baz and JJ are convinced that Jet amd Dave would approve.
Here Baz expresses his delight to be working with keyboard whizz Toby:
‘No Grass Grows On A Busy Street: 25 Years On The Road With The Stranglers‘ also contains a wonderful selection of photos from Baz‘s childhood up to the present day – well worth seeing! There are also several interviews included, which were conducted for The Stranglers website across the years, adding additional depth to Baz‘s tour diaries and experiences.
Although you can read these in the online archive, it’s nice to have them all gathered here in print. Speaking of which, this book is a chunky hardcover volume of 43 chapters across 406 pages, but it’s the kind of book you can dip in and out of (when you’re on the bog, as Baz suggested!), and even revisit certain chapters that stand out for you. Baz speaks about being a Strangler:
The book has an appendix listing every Stranglers tour date from 2000 to 2025, for the completionist. And in case you were wondering which Stranglers song is Baz‘s favourite, it’s this one!
If you haven’t yet read this fascinating collection of archives and memories by the tall, sparkling-eyed bald man with the singing guitar, you can order your copy of ‘No Grass Grows On A Busy Street: 25 Years On The Road With The Stranglers‘ HERE or via Amazon.
Catch The Stranglers out on tour again in the UK, Portugal, Germany and France in 2026 – dates HERE
Main Photo Credit: RUTH RAE
Follow The Stranglers on Their Socials:
Need more Punk In Your Life?
Live review: Screeching Weasel / El Sancho / Square Shapes / The Noids, Honolulu, 28/2/26
Screeching Weasel recently played their first ever shows in Hawaii, with The Noidz, Square Shapes, and El Sancho in support on the Saturday. Our newest
EP review: Boneshakers self-titled debut release
In need of some short, sharp bursts of in-yer-face punk’n’blues, with some added scares? Then Belgium’s Boneshakers have the perfect recipe for you with their
Album review: Molly Vulpyne Band’s debut LP ‘Houndstooth and the Hum’
I was super excited to get a review copy of the Molly Vulpyne Band’s first album, ‘Houndstooth and the Hum’, having loved her previous EP
Svetlanas in Germany: Two Nights of Pure Confrontation
From a drained swimming pool in Schwerte to a sold-out festival hall in Nürnberg, the uncompromising Italian hardcore punks Svetlanas deliver intensity, defiance and absolute
Live review: Less Than Jake bring their Winter Circus to London town!
It’s time for the biennial headline tour visit of Gainesville, Florida’s superstar ska-punks Less Than Jake to the shores of the UK. This year they’ve
Dead Pioneers, London Underworld, 1st Mar 2026
Even when the band strip things down to little more than a monologue from Gregg, the rage channelled into the likes of ‘The Caucasity’ results
Usually found jumping around down the front at gigs, I also relish taking photos and videos, singing, speaking with fellow music fans, and asking musicians the questions nobody else does. Writing about my favourite bands and connecting with people who love music too keeps me more-or-less sane! I’ve worked for over 25 years at a video production company, mainly filming live music events, therefore I have an additional backstage perspective on the scene.
Did you know that we are 100% DIY? We run our own game. No one dictates to us, and no one drives what we can or cannot put on our pages – and this is how we plan to continue!
