Well its been a strange 12 months since I last interviewed JJ at the Studio where they had just begun work on 'Suite XVI'. Back then they were still riding high on the success of 'Norfolk Coast' but were finding it difficult to to get the next album of songs on the way to meet their initial deadline of late 2005. At the same time Paul in some interviews suggested he was not entirely happy that 'Norfolk Coast' success was achieved at sounding more like the Stranglers of old rather than moving on. Rumours mid 2006 suggested a four piece was on the cards and then in July it was announced that after 16 years Paul Roberts was leaving the band amicably and JJ and Baz would be taking over vocal duties.

Dave, Baz, JJ & Jet - Stranglers IV

Now 'Norfolk Coast' has been absolutely huge for The Stranglers. The pressure to deliver an equal if not better album was on and losing a singer so close to its release would have killed off many another band. But The Stranglers aren't any other band and the boys have pulled it off. 'Suite XVI' is superb.

So with plenty to discuss met up with Baz at their notorious drinking den, the Tuckers Grave pub, for a quick chat about the Stranglers past and present and of course the upcoming new album 'Suite XVI'

Baz was a very genial host and talked quite openly about a lot of things and less openly about others as we shall see through the course of the interview. He's had plenty of practise over the past few weeks as he and JJ have been on a media blitz conducting over 40 interviews as anticipation grows about the new album.