As you will no doubt have noticed, today we updated the main page with one of the first photos of the band with new guitarist Baz Warne. Here's a couple more:

Today we received the following announcement from the Stranglers' management:

"The band are delighted to announce that Baz Warne has been selected as the replacement guitarist to John Ellis who departed from the band on March 16th. Baz is a colleague of both JJ and Paul's and is probably remembered as guitarist with the "Small Town Heroes" when they supported The Stranglers on both UK and European tours 4 years ago. The band have been in rehearsals for the past 2 weeks and commence recording with Baz later this week. His first show will be in Kosovo on 27th April."

John has asked us to post the following statement:

"Please send my best wishes to all the wonderful fans I've had the great pleasure to work for over the last 10 years. I hope they continue to support and enjoy a truly great band that I have been fortunate to have been involved with for so long."

"It is with deep regret that we have to announce that the band's personal security men Joe Seabrook and Dino have both died in the past 6 weeks. Dino, who was already legendary for the 'Dino Rap', died in February and Joe, who had been working with the Rolling Stones for many years, died at the end of March. Both looked after the band in the Seventies and early Eighties."

The organisers of the "Rat's Rally" (which the Stranglers headline on 22nd July) now have a web page at: www.atlanticrock.co.uk

JJ is set to take his solo act, "JJ Burnel - Songs & Stories - Alone and Acoustic", on the road for seven days, between May 30th and June 5th. The dates, venues and booking numbers are given below. As always, these dates are subject to changes beyond the control of JJ, or his agents -- please check with the venue before travelling.

More information will be posted as we get it.

Day Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Monday

Date 30th May 31st May 1st June 2nd June 3rd June 4th June 5th June

Venue Swindon: Arts Centre Newcastle: Live Theatre Glasgow: Cottier Theatre Spalding: South Holland Centre London: Union Chapel Birmingham: Ronnie Scotts Liverpool: Neptune Theatre

Box Office 01793 614837 0191 232 1234 0141 357 3868 01775 725031 0171 344 4444 0121 643 4525 0151 709 7844

In July '99, JJ and Jet were interviewed for BFBS (British Forces Broadcasting Service) 1, The Forces FM by Dave Ramsay, while in Cyprus performing for the British Troops.

Dave has kindly provided a transcript of this interview, which has been added to the "Interviews" area of our Reference Articles section.

Updated news on John's solo/collaborative endeavours have just been added to the John Ellis page.

On April 7th, Paul and the Faith? band (John Ellis, Richard Naiff, Vinnie Lammi and Brad Waissman) will play the Monarch, on Chalk Farm Road, Camden Town, London. Because they will be the headline band, the set will be longer than at the Borderline (22nd March). Tickets are not yet available, but check out the Paul Roberts Site for more information.

We have just received confirmation of the Stranglers' appearance at the following two festivals:

27th May: Schwung 2000 "Rock & Roots Festival", Belgium (www.debevers.be).

10th June: Fußgönheim Festival, ASV Sportgelände, Germay. Please note the place-name correction.

A new collection from Sony Music GmbH (Germany) is now available. Titled "Always the Sun" (catalogue number CBU 67607), this CD covers the Epic/Sony Music period and is distributed by KIOSK Audio Video Casseten GmbH, Berlin (www.kiosk.de). The track-listing is:

Always The Sun; Big In America; The European Female (In Celebration Of); Skin Deep; 96 Tears; No Mercy; Let's Tango In Paris; Blue Sister; Dreamtime; Shakin' Like A Leaf; Too Precious; You'll Always Reap Just What You Sow; Mayan Skies; Ships That Pass In The Night.

On 22nd March, 2000, Paul and the "Faith?" band (Paul Roberts, John Ellis, Vinnie Lammi, Richard Naiff and Brad Waissman) play the Borderline, Orange Yard, Manette Street, Soho, London. Tickets are £7 in advance and £8 on the door. Paul takes to the stage at 9:00pm, UK time.

There are more details about the location (including a map), train times out of London, box office phone number etc., on Paul's web site, at www.paul.roberts.cwc.net.