'No Grass Grows On A Busy Street: 25 Years On The Road With The Stranglers’ by Baz Warne

To mark the 25th anniversary of Baz Warne joining iconic British rock band The Stranglers, No Grass Grows On A Busy Street is a retrospective compilation of detailed tour diaries, interviews and stories that give an unrivalled level of access to this legendary group.As a proud Northeastern son, Baz reflects poignantly on his life in music, from humble beginnings to the worlds biggest stages. Looking back on a musical career spanning five different decades of music and popular culture, No Grass Grows On A Busy Street features untold anecdotes and newly written contemplative commentary from Baz himself, proving that time is often the best lens.With every word he has poured into his pieces for The Stranglers website over the years, Baz shows his dedication to the fans. Joining the band during a famously tumultuous period, it is no coincidence that Baz beginning to cofront the band alongside JJ Burnel has, despite the tragic loss of original bandmates and dear friends Dave Greenfield and Jet Black, made for a golden age in The Stranglers career, full of sellout tours and recordbreaking new albums.Baz039s turn of phrase has always captured the spirit of our many travels with the Stranglers. I hope you enjoy reading them in this compilation as much as I have.JeanJacques Burnel, The StranglersWith his melodic songwriting nous with an edge, surly yet darkly humorous stage persona and exquisite guitar playing, Baz Warne saved the Stranglers from the slow death of a thousand cuts. He joined the band at their lowest ebb in 2000, awoke the sleeping tiger and was the perfect foil to the now reinvigorated black belt bass master JJ Burnel which saw the band reach new creative highs and fulfil their own legacy.John Robb, journalist and tourmateIn footballing terms Baz joining The Stranglers was the signing of the season. He has stage presence with a great sense of humour and an underlying threat of menace, in keeping with the bands reputation. As one of the men in blacks biggest fans, I believe having him alongside JJ front and centre has taken the stranglers to new heights.Stuart Pearce, football legendFront cover photo by Marcel Van Oosterhout.