Over the years, the members of the Stranglers have been involved in several solo projects, which reflect their interests (musical and otherwise) outside the confines of the band. A brief overview of each of these albums is presented below. Not all of these are available on CD; the catalogue numbers given are for the British release and if the album is available on CD, this is noted.

The recording of "Euroman Cometh" (1979, United Artists, UAG 30214, CD) made use of "after-hours" studio time during the sessions for "Black and White", but this work bears very little resemblance to the Stranglers output of that era. Somewhat ahead of its time (particularly in the use of rhythm boxes) this album features a very "layered" sound-scape and a real sense of experimentation (for instance, the revving of JJ's Triumph motorcycle provides a back-drop to the instrumental "Triumph (Of the Good City)"!). The underlying philosophy of most of the tracks was also very forward-thinking for 1979; that is, the formation of a union between the countries of Europe -- something that has since come to pass. This material was taken on the road in 1979, with a "Euroband" consisting of JJ, John Ellis, Peter Howells and Penny Tobin. The recording of the Hemel Hempstead gig now appears as an addition to the CD version of the album.

One single was released from this album -- "Freddie Laker (Concorde & Eurobus)" (1979, United Artists, UP 36500). The "B" side features JJ's rendition of the Shelley poem "Ozymandias".

To me, "Un Jour Parfait" (1988, Epic, EPC 462424, CD) is a wonderfully crafted album which represents the high-point, so far, of JJ's recording endeavours outside of the Stranglers. Originally released in France and Canada only (but now available through SIS UK), this album is sung mostly in French and presents an atmospheric (continental) European sound. Although much of the work on this album was done by JJ alone, Dave Greenfield appears as a guest musician. Tracks range from the balladic "Le Whiskey" to the up-tempo "Via Dolorosa".

Two singles were taken from this album -- "Le Whiskey" (1988, Epic, EPC 653836) and "Reves" (1988, Epic, EPC 654576).

Hugh's first solo offering (with drummer, Robert Williams), "Nosferatu" (1979, United Artists, UAG 30251, CD) is a strange affair indeed. Eclectic in their presentation, the tracks cover an odd selection of subjects, such as vampires ("Nosferatu"), circus freaks ("Wrong Way Round") and bizarre entomological musings ("Irate Caterpillar" and "Big Bug"). The album title was inspired by the 1922 silent movie of the same name -- a still from this film is used for the front cover.

"Nosferatu" spawned one single -- a cover of the Cream track "White Room" (1979, United Artists, BP 320).

The second solo album, "Wolf" (1988, Virgin, V 2420, CD), finds Hugh delving into more readily-accessible music (compared to "Nosferatu"), more akin to the material that he is currently producing. Melodic and soulful, tracks range from the up-tempo "Another Kind of Love" to the laid-back "All the Tea in China" and the atmospheric "Dreaming Again".

This album produced two singles -- "Another Kind of Love" (1988, Virgin, VS 945) and "Dreaming Again" (1988, Virgin, VS 1093).

According to the sleeve notes, "Fire and Water" (1983, Epic, EPC 25707) "forms the musical basis for the film 'Ecoutez Vos Murs' by Vincent Coudanne". Again, clearly experimental in places, there are times when a combination of the Stranglers and Jean Michel Jarre come to mind! Interesting tracks include "Rain & Dole & Tea" with Maggie Reilly (of Mike Oldfield fame) on vocals, "Dino Rap" (which has to have been inspired by Dino, the infamous Stranglers minder of the time) and "Vladimir & Sergei" (which forms part of the Stranglers' Vladimir saga).

"Rain & Dole & Tea" was released as a single (1984, Epic, EPCA 4076).

During his tenure as guitarist for the Stranglers, John has released an impressive number of solo albums. "Acrylic" (1997, Optic Nerve, OPT4.00, CD) was quickly followed by a set of five "gallery music albums": "In Rhodt" (1998, Voiceprint, SAVP101CD, CD); "Das Geheimnis des Golem" (1999, Voiceprint, SAVP102CD, CD); "Destination Everywhere" (1999, Voiceprint, SAVP103CD, CD); "Our Internal Monologue" (1999, Voiceprint, SAVP104CD, CD); and "Shock of Contact" (1999, Voiceprint, SAVP10CD, CD).

These albums contain instrumental works commissioned as accompanying music for art exhibitions, and could well be considered to fall within the category of "New Age". The booklet for each CD contains images from the particular exhibition it was commisioned for.

Capping off John's flurry of activity in 1999 was the very special "Spic 'N' Span". Initially limited to a production run of 50 (expanded to 100, due to demand), each "hand made" CD features different cover artwork and is individually numbered and signed by John. The tracks on this album cover John's musical career and range from rock to instrumental (via the somewhat bizarre); also included are reworkings of Ellis-written Stranglers songs ("The Space Between Us" [otherwise known as "Grand Canyon"] and "Mumble Jumble") and early versions of others ("Early Riding Daddy" ["Daddy's Riding the Range"] and "Tune-O-Matic" [early "Valley of the Birds"]).

See the John Ellis Page for more details.

In late 1999, Paul Roberts released "Faith?" (PRCD001), his first solo outing as a Strangler. This CD contains ten tracks written, played, recorded and produced by Paul, plus a cover of the Bowie track "Lady Grinning Soul".

While the range of vocals is not surprising, given Paul's work with the band, the musical arrangements are an insight into the world beyond the vocalist. Styles range from instrumental, to ballad, through more dance and rock-orientated pieces.

In 2000, Paul hosted "Solar Live". This event was a charity gig/album/gathering of Paul Roberts fans, who got the chance to see The Faith Band, watch the recording of an album ("Solar Live"), take part in a cover shot for it, and receive a "deleted on day of release" copy. Proceeds went to "Prostate Cancer Charity UK", a charity dedicated to the research into, and the care of the suffering.

Paul's second general release was in the guise of the "Faith Band" and was titled "Self Discovery". The track-listing for this 2001 release is:

Intro; Dreams; Fried; Grateful; Soul Alive; Heaven; My Father's Bride; Candy; Self Discovery.

April 2003 saw the release of "The Pressure Sensitive", the third studio album from Paul Roberts and the "Faith Band". Paul has also released the live albums "No Passport Required" (2002) and "Listen?" (2002), along with the singles "God" and "When Reason Sleeps", plus the "Festival Man" EP.

More information on Paul's solo work can be found on the official Faith Band site.

The Purple Helmets is an ad hoc band, playing 1960's R and B numbers. The recording line-up was: JJ Burnel, Dave Greenfield, John Ellis, Alex Gifford (a member of the Stranglers horn-section) and Manny Elias (drummer with Tears For Fears). The band was ostensibly put together (from an earlier incarnation) so that JJ and Dave could do some gigging between Stranglers projects.

The live set delivered at a party for friends and family was recorded, and forms the first album, "Ride Again" (1988, New Rose, ROSE 160, CD). Tracks include "All Day and All of the Night", "Woolly Bully" and "Over Under Sideways Down".

One single was lifted from this first album -- "We Gotta Get Out of This Place"/"I'm a Man" (1988, New Rose, NEW 118).

The second (and most recent) album was "Rise Again" (1989, Anagram, GRAM 42, CD). This offering includes "Brand New Cadillac", "She's Not There" and "Oh Pretty Woman".