Baz Warne frontman of The Stranglers joins us this week to talk us through his new book & to tell us a little about his recent tour & his history with The Stranglers, the Toy Dolls & more. 

Baz was born in Sunderland but it was while briefly living in Vancouver he first discovered the guitar. Upon returning to Sunderland, Baz sets about learning to play. 

His diligence is rewarded when at age 19 he is asked to join the biggest band in the north east at the time, punk band The Toy Dolls. He travels across Europe & the US multiple times with the band although his bass part is replaced on the bands biggest hit Nelly The Elephant after he leaves the band after about 18 months. 

His next band Troubleshooters morphs into Small Town Heroes & he spends the next 8 years hammering the circuit in the north east & across the country. 

In 2000 Baz is invited to audition to join The Stranglers although he initially turns down the invitation. After nailing Golden Brown he is offered the job on the spot. 

For his first 3 years with the band he plays guitar as the band play tour consistently - over time he starts to contribute songwriting as the band make a return to form with the Norfolk Coast album. 

Following the 2006 departure of singer Paul Roberts, Baz takes over as vocalist. 

We hear about some of Baz’s most memorable gigs including Glastonbury, The Royal Albert Hall (with Jimmy Page in attendance) & being heckled in Newcastle. 

Baz also shares a few memorable stories from over the years including encounters with Debbie Harry & AC/DC frontman Brian Johnson. 

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Music by Andy Maxwell

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