The Dirty Strangers

The Dirty Strangers

The Dirty Strangers are a West London rock and roll band from Shepherds Bush, active from the mid-1980s. Their sound draws on rootsy rock and roll, blues rock and hard rock, with touches of soul and punk-era energy.

Formation and early line-up

The band forms around Alan Clayton, the main songwriter and driving force behind the group. The original five-piece line-up includes former Chuck Berry sideman Scotty Mulvey and ex-Ruts guitarist Paul Fox. The band takes shape in around 1986, with Clayton bringing together players influenced by artists such as Eddie Cochran, Gene Vincent, Chuck Berry and Otis Redding.

Connection with Keith Richards and Ron Wood

Clayton meets Keith Richards through security work and a mutual contact, Big Joe Seabrook. After asking Richards to hear the band’s music, the group records with Richards and Ron Wood. Their self-titled debut album appears in 1987 and includes work by both Rolling Stones guitarists, helping the band gain attention for a time.

Albums and later activity

In 1993 the band releases Burn The Bubble, then pauses for a period while Clayton continues writing and performing. He remains in contact with Richards and Wood and later joins the crew on the Rolling Stones’ Bigger Bang tour from 2005 to 2007. After that, the Dirty Strangers return with a third album, West 12 To Wittering, again featuring contributions from Keith Richards and Ron Wood.

West 12 To Wittering

West 12 To Wittering draws on Clayton’s Shepherds Bush background and on themes of gang culture, isolation, liberty, motors and love stories. Keith Richards plays piano on five tracks and appears with Joe Brown on banjo on “All Away”. Ron Wood plays slide guitar on “South Of The River” and “Gold Cortina”. Joe Brown’s son Pete produces most of the album, while “Real Botticelli” is produced by Brian James and is co-written by Keith Richards, as is “Bad Girls”.