One of the great British bands, The Stranglers, have released their brand-new album, Dark Matters, out everywhere. Including the first single, ‘And If You Should See Dave…’, an honest tribute to their much-missed keyboard player Dave Greenfield, who tragically passed away a year ago from Covid-19, and who features on many of the tracks recorded for the album.
“Over a year ago on May 3rd my great friend and colleague of 45 years, Dave Greenfield, passed away, another victim of the pandemic.” says JJ Burnel.
“We had already recorded most of the album with him and during the lockdowns our only wish was to complete it as a fitting tribute to his life and work. I consider this to be one of our finest recordings.”
Surviving Stranglers band members, JJ Burnel and Baz Warne completed Dark Matters remotely during lockdowns, making it their first album since 2012. Adding to it a fitting tribute in ‘And If You Should See Dave…’, the first single from the album – a contemplative but uplifting dose of sixties sunshine-drenched rock.
Greenfield himself features on 8 of the 11 tracks, which were made over the course of two years at the band’s studios in the rural idylls of Somerset, and in Southern France, produced by long-time collaborator Louie Nicastro.
A key member of The Stranglers for 45 years, Dave was a highly acclaimed keyboardist whose unique approach and instantly identifiable playing style massively contributed to the group’s inimitable sound. His contributions set the band apart from their peers and his skills are imprinted across Dark Matters.
Just last week The Stranglers released the music video for latest single ‘This Song’, featuring the legendary England International football player, manager and longtime Stranglers fan, Stuart Pearce. Talking about the upcoming album Dark Matters, Pearce says: “It’s a fitting tribute to Dave Greenfield who will be missed by everyone. I’m sure I speak for all Stranglers fans by saying we can’t wait to see the boys touring again.”
‘This Song’ follows previous Stranglers’ releases this year: emotional tribute ‘…And If You Should See Dave’, thought-provoking ‘The Lines’, and electro-pop single ‘If Something’s Gonna Kill Me (It Might As Well Be Love)’.
Go behind-the-scenes of the making of the album, in The Stranglers video ‘Track Chat’ series – watch here.
Dark Matters is out now on the band’s own Coursegood imprint, via Absolute, and is available to purchase from all good record stores. The Stranglers official store hosts a variety of special items from a limited-edition cassette album to ‘red/black smoke’ coloured limited edition heavy-weight vinyl.
All pre-orders for the album (on any format) will receive a special bonus CD titled ‘Dave Greenfield – A Tribute’ through the official store. This bonus CD, featuring 8 unreleased live recordings, was selected by the surviving members with a view to celebrating Dave’s unique talent. It includes two of the new tracks performed by Dave, live versions of four Stranglers songs that Dave is famous for having performed vocals on, and one of the last ever recordings of the band from their 2019 Japanese tour.
