INTRODUCTION (Adrian Liggins): Fan-written reviews can be found further down the page.

Let's just say it's been a looong time since I was last in a Pontins Holiday Camp. For those of you who have not experienced this bit of British vacation tradition, these places consist of "chalets" (sort of miniature apartments) and on-site entertainment such as caberet, sports (such as tennis, snooker, etc.) and plenty for the kids to do, all located on a sea-front. Bars, eateries and a grocery store are also provided on-site. Now, either the one at Brean is particularly small, or everything just seemed so much bigger in the dim and distant past! Brean itself is in Somerset, on the west coast of England, "just" off the M5 (down long, winding roads).

It was to this location that a sea (about 900) of black-clad figures descended for the three-day convention, taking over the camp for the duration of this event. As well as a well-rounded line-up of support acts (including the last-minute addition of the Mission), there were two appearances by the Stranglers, plus Baz's band the Sundevils and a (mostly) solo performance by JJ. Friday night's "Chilled Out" (semi-unplugged, or as JJ put it, "less loud") set was notable for Dave swapping the keyboards for a guitar for one new track and during Baz's rendition of "Old Codger" (an in-joke, as Baz is the youngest member of the band), an outing of "Cruel Garden" and the dedication of "Let me Down Easy" to the victims of recent events in the US. Much to everyone's surprise, the encore consisted of "Mony Mony", bringing the house down.

The tracks played included (not necessarily in the correct order): Walk on By; Always the Sun; Two new tracks (including "Dutch Moon"); Still Life; Old Codger; Strange Little Girl; Let Me Down Easy; European Female; Golden Brown; Princess of the Streets; In the End; Cruel Garden; Face; Mony Mony.

The next day started off with a mid-day set by Baz Warne's Sundevils, consisting of good solid rock numbers and favourites such as "Rocking in the Free World". The evening's full set by the Stranglers was more raucous than usual (the slower tracks having been covered the previous night). A touching gesture half way through saw Paul calling a fan (Neal Miller) in New York and leaving the line open while the band played "Peaches" -- a track that Paul stated that he said he would never play. The tracks played included (not in order): Longships (as the intro); The Raven; Threatened; Coup de Grace; Tank; Grip; Peaches; Something Better Change; Valley of the Birds; Sometimes; Sinister; Two new tracks (including "Norfolk Coast"); Out of Time (originally written and recorded by Chris Farlowe, but also covered by the Rolling Stones); Thrown Away; Dead Ringer; Hanging Around; Curfew; Skin Deep; Duchess; No More Heroes.

Sunday lunch-time saw JJ taking to the stage for a somewhat informal solo stint. The highlight of this set had to be the duet of "Where I Live" with Hannah, his daughter. The tracks played included: Un Jour Parfait; Girl and the Sea; Frog Crossing Road; Fred and George; Quark, Strangeness and Charm (by Robert Calvert/Hawkwind); Jellyfish; Never to Look Back; Where I Live; Dagenham Dave; Go Buddy Go; In the End (aborted half way through).

All in all, these sets certainly highlighted the multiple talents of the band-members.

During the convention, "Stranglers TV" was beamed directly to the chalets, providing information on the schedule of events, videos and interviews, hosted by Dave Mason and Marian Shepherd. Yours truly even got quizzed on air about the Rat's Lair. Other notable events were a question-and-answer session with JJ, the "traditional" Dave Greenfield Challenge Quiz and Paul's charity raffle and auction. The latter saw a pair of JJ's boots going under the hammer for £70 and his "Aural Sculpture" leather jacket fetching £300, with all proceeds going to Prostrate Cancer Research. Following this, Jet's archives were laid out on stage, allowing fans to come up and peruse their pages. In addition, a "Black Museum" allowed fans to see various band artifacts, such as JJ's orginal bass, costumes from the "Nice in Nice" video and Pam Greenfield's black wedding dress.

Following JJ's solo outing, all five band members came on stage to round things up. Similarly, we (SIS OnLine) would like to thank the prime organisers of this convention, Marian Shepherd and Owen Carne, plus Stranglers management and all the other staff involved in making this happen. We would also like to extend the organizer's thanks to all those fans who came and helped make this convention such an outstanding success.

For the completeists among you, the full itinerary was as follows:

Friday Events...
15.00-18.30 Check-in and Dinner, Reception
18.00 Stranglers TV, Lunars/Chalets
18.30 Doors Open, Main Hall
19.00 MIKE PETERS, Main Hall
20.15 EDDIE & THE HOT RODS, Main Hall
21.45 THE STRANGLERS chilled out set, Main Hall
23.00-02.00 DJ set, Main Hall

Saturday Events...
10.30-11.30 Stranglers TV, Lunars/Chalets
11.30 Doors open, Main Hall
12.15 BAZ WARNE'S SUNDEVILS, Main Hall
13.00-14.00 Lunch
14.00-17.00 SIS Events, all in Lunars:
QUESTION TIME with JJ BURNEL
DAVE GREENFIELD CHALLENGE
PAUL'S CHARITY RAFFLE
15.00 Kid's Puppet Mini Gig (kids and accompanying parents ONLY), Kids Area
15.00-16.00 THE STRANGLERS BLACK MUSEUM, Chalet TBC
17.00-18.30 Dinner and Stranglers TV, Lunars/Chalets
18.30 Doors open, Main Hall
19.00 THE MISSION, Main Hall
20.15 GLEN MATLOCK & THE PHILISTINES, Main Hall
21.45 THE STRANGLERS electric set, Main Hall
23.15-02.00 DJ set, Main Hall

Sunday Events...
10.30-11.30 Stranglers TV, Lunars/Chalets
11.00-12.30 5 A Side Football competition, outdoor pitch/hard surface
11.00-12.30 Kid's Entertainer, Kid's Area
11.00-12.30 VIDEO PREMIERE "Live In Poland 2000", Lunars
12.30 Doors Open, Main Hall
13.00 JJ BURNEL (and friends) acoustic set, Main Hall
14.00 Check-out and departure

David Johnson

It certainly felt somewhat strange, arriving at this peculiar jut of land on the North Somerset coast, filled with outdated caravan parks and fish & chip shops. We turned into Pontins and were met by an old man who directed us to a car park and gave instructions on where to check in. Was this the right place??? On arrival at reception, it soon became apparent that indeed we were; others who also seemed originally taken aback and confused even at this funny place and perhaps expecting a red coat to leap out and shout some purile comment, relaxed at the sight of every possible Stranglers tour tshirt from the last decade or two donned in the queue and the reassuring sight of the merchandise stall to one side. Venue was unimportant, we were here, and as it turned out, the venue served its purpose well and provided home for a memorable weekend. Friends gathered. Familiar faces acknowledged and past memories exchanged, Stranglers fans are as JJ said on the Friday night, like a family. To follow this group so closely as I have since I first saw them way back in 1977 gives you a warmth, no-one outside the 'family' understands!!. If you tell an 'outsider' that you have seen the boys as many times as you have and followed them around the country and even overseas,it is met by strange looks and often incomprehension; but they don't understand -- no-one but the true followers, fans, whatever you want to call us do! It is difficult to describe, but we have lived with this group the majority of our lives; Paul is as important as Hugh ever was; Baz seems to fit the fold perfectly already. In terms of musical achievement, stay-ability, loyalty to their own fans, and the ability to be as good and important in music today, the year 2001, without a hint of acknowledgement from music press and the media alike, The Stranglers should receive the highest award possible, but then they are probably too modest to accept it anyway.

For those of us who were there, an in depth review is not needed, for those who unfortunately could not make it, if you consider yourself part of us, then you know exactly what you missed. The Friday night set was hugely enjoyable, great to see tracks like Walk On By, Cruel Garden being dusted off. Baz's Old Codger was superb, Dave's guitar playing...well nuff said! With many of the slower tracks such as Golden Brown, Always The Sun etc., being aired part acoustically that night, it paved the way for a non stop sweat fest on the Saturday. An excellent set with some of the new tracks feeling at home in the set -- Paul's forage into previously self-forbidden territory with Peaches proving to be a memorable note.

I write this as a 37 year old with 2 kids. My oldest cannot comprehend my addiction to a group he's never seen on TV. My wife thinks I'm just mad or been going through a middle age crisis since we met 15 years ago. Even after all that time, she doesn't truly understand, but I warned her, even way back then!! I remember the horror ten years ago when Hugh left, thinking this was the end and how empty I felt -- almost panic. Ten years on and countless gigs and further musical brainwashing, I pray that it is a long time before I even contemplate feeling that again. Thanks for a great weekend, here's to the new album, the next tour and many more thereafter.

Paula French.

I (like lots of others) had been looking forward to the convention since it was first announced back in February and our expectations of the weekend were very high - which was a worry in case it didn't live up to them. I can assure you it lived up to, and exceeded, mine.

Friday night was an acoustic set so wasn't really sure what to expect, and again we weren't disappointed. The band looked so relaxed and happy, and it really showed in the way they performed. They sang 2 or 3 new songs, and if they were anything to go by the new album will be a good 'un. I think the thing that stands out for me that night was Baz singing Old Codger - not only that but he played the harmonica as well - which was a rare unexpected treat: the audience certainly seemed to appreciate it anyway.

Saturday night was an electric set and it went down a storm, the crowd were in excellent spirits, not as sedate/relaxed as the Friday night which was understandable. Believe me, it was that much harder to take photos, though! Highlight tonight for me was Paul giving me a mention - Thanks Paul ;-) It was also a lovely touch that Paul phoned Neal - a fan in the US who couldn't make it due to recent atrocities, and sang 'Peaches' especially for him. I'm sure he must have been really chuffed.

It was a really full weekend, from Dave's quiz, Paul's raffle/auction (well done to the winners), JJ's question time & Baz and The Sun Devils + other performances. What made the entire weekend so special was the way the band put themselves out to be so available to all of the fans. It was a special pleasure to see Jet out and about, and he was more than happy to pose for photos, sign autographs and talk. He even said to a group of us at one point - "You may as well waste your film on me".

The 5-a-side football on the Sunday morning was a good laugh as well. It was good to see Paul & Baz running about, while we all just stood there and watched. It was also nice to see JJ's son Jeremy taking part - it adds a nice touch I think. It really was a family orientated weekend, from JJ singing on stage with Hannah to Paul and his latest arrival Mo, a beautiful Lurcher.

Jet's speech, made at the end of the convention, had the fans holding their breathe for a while. I think we all thought he was going to throw in the towel: thankfully, that didn't happen. It was a really nice touch that the band applauded the audience - I'd say there were a few people with lumps in their throat!