Plenty of famous bands have performed in Watford over the years but not many have warmed up for their gig by playing a smaller set in a local record shop beforehand.

But that was what happened on December 5, 1995 when The Stranglers played at Past and Present Records ahead of their concert at the Colosseum that night.

The Watford Observer of that week reported that fans packed into the St Albans Road shop to listen to the group perform three songs from their new album, About Time.

Original band member and bass guitarist JJ Burnel said he liked performing in such small venues because it allowed him to get close to long-term supporters.

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Formed in 1974, The Stranglers emerged from the punk rock scene and enjoyed hits with tracks including Peaches, No More Heroes and Golden Brown.

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Scroll through these pictures from our archive that our photographer snapped at the Past and Present gig approaching 28 years ago.

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