The two most recent Stranglers studio albums, "About Time" and "Written in Red" have been re-released at "mid-price" by Eagle Records, with distribution by BMG. The artwork and track listings remain the same as for the original releases; the new catalogue numbers are EFMCD002 ("About Time") and EAMCD001 ("Written in Red").

The "Barrow Rocks" festival, set for Sat 23rd May 1998 has been put back to September 5th. This is being reported by local press as being due to safety work on the stadium not being completed on time.

Management tell us that, at this point, the Stranglers have not agreed to appear on the new date, but that the offer is under consideration. Updated information will appear here, as we get it.

The information-line number quoted previously is: 0161 8321111

"No Mercy", the official Stranglers biography by David Buckley, will be published in the UK in paperback on 7th May 1998, at a price of £6.99.

We (and other fans) have just received news of the "Inertia Tour" of North America, to include the Stranglers and others.

To prevent any confusion, please note the following statement from the band's management:

To put the record straight we have not agreed to tour the USA..........until we confirm, IT IS NOT TRUE.

Both JJ Burnel's "Euroman Cometh" and Hugh Cornwell's "Nosferatu" will shortly find a new lease of life on CDs from Eastworld Recordings.

"Euroman Cometh" (catalogue number EW0002CD) will appear in the UK on May 11th and will feature new artwork, plus the inclusion of JJ's rendition of Shelley's "Ozymandias" (originally the B-side to "Freddie Laker"). A full live set recorded in Hemel Hempstead during the Euroman tour is also included. The tracks on this release have been re-mastered.

"Nosferatu" (catalogue number EW0001CD) is slated for an April 27th release in the UK. An instrumental version of "Losers in a Lost Land" is included in this package.

Both releases should be available from record stores in Europe. Alternatively, contact Plastic Head Distribution, P.O. Box 159, Wallingford, Oxon, OX10 9YL, UK. Tel: +44 1491-825029, FAX: +44 1491-826320.

Each CD is £15.00 (UK and Europe) or £17.00 (World-Wide).

"Friday the Thirteenth" is now available in the US on Cleopatra Records. "About Time" and "Written in Red" are also due to be released in the US, on Velvel Records.

Two new sections have been added to the Reference Articles area. The first is a page dedicated to the works of John Ellis. The second details the solo project of Smithereen Pat DiNizio, of which JJ was a part. Both pages are in their early stages, with more material to be added later. Relevant information which previously appeared on this news page (or it's archives) has now been moved to the new pages.

The Links section is steadily growing. Nine new sites of interest have been recently added.

The band are currently working on their 14th studio album, which should be out sometime in the autumn (in the UK). JJ tells us that he's had a greater input to this body of work than any of the other recent albums, so the end product promises to be very interesting.

JJ is currently looking at the possibility of staging a ballet version of the "Gospel According to the MeninBlack". The idea is to use this medium to tell the story of alien visitors and their involvement in the creation and evolution of the human race. If it goes ahead, the project will probably require the re-arrangement of some tracks from the album, and maybe some new material. As this would be a major undertaking (both artistic and logistical), it's probably not likely to happen until next year.

This would not be the first time that the Stranglers enlisted the services of a ballet troup. In 1981, Anatasia Bertram of London City Ballet choreographed and danced the Waltz in Black with other dancers at the Hammersmith Palais and the London Rainbow Theatre. The performances took place immediately prior to the band coming on stage.

Apparently, there are "moves afoot" to secure transmission of the "Friday the Thirteenth" Royal Albert Hall gig on VH1 (in Europe only). Keep watching those TV listings!

Please note the following revision to the mailing address for SIS Japan (and "Outside Tokyo" magazine):

SIS Japan
c/o Rieko Maruki
18-22 Ishizaka 1 chome
Dazaifu, Fukuoka
818-0118 Japan

A couple of interesting items from the band's management: firstly, look out for Jet Black in the Daily Mail next week (if you're in the UK, that is). Secondly, due to the success of the November '97 UK tour, dates are already being confirmed for later this year. This time, the tour will be longer and more "off the wall" venues will be used. Apparently, tickets went so well last time that the promotors are starting to talk about holding second nights in some towns.