The Stranglers

United Kingdom, 1974–now

British band formed in Guildford in 1974, emerging from the pub-rock scene into punk. Older and more musically schooled than their peers, they paired menacing lyrics with Dave Greenfield's swirling keyboards and Jean-Jacques Burnel's growling bass — from the raw Rattus Norvegicus and No More Heroes to the harpsichord-laced hit 'Golden Brown'.

Influenced by

• The Doors
• The Velvet Underground
• Jimi Hendrix

Influenced

• Elastica