The Stranglers, like Television were much more accomplished players than most of their punk rock counterparts, due to their existence and experience together as a band for a few years prior to punk rock breaking out, and with it, their records. Also, like Television, the Stranglers were not considered a punk band per se (I guess it was the keyboard sound...New Wave perhaps?), but had tons of punk cred... if Television created a forum for punk rock in NYC, the Stranglers showed England a thing or two in 1976 when they opened for the Ramones on the New Yorkers' first British tour. That Ramones tour gave UK punks a kick in the ass. Everyone who became anyone was there. By extension, they all saw and heard the Stranglers as well. Prior to the punk circuit introduction courtesy of the Ramones tour, the Stranglers were a pub rock band. Nothing wrong with that...some of our greatest musical heroes emerged from that scene... Nick Lowe, Elvis Costello, Ian Dury ...I don't need ...