They may be one of music’s longest-running acts, but the Stranglers are feeling rejuvenated as they prepare to visit Kent as part of a month-long tour of the UK, following the success of last year’s landmark album Giants

The Stranglers came of age in the burgeoning British pub-rock scene of the mid 1970s. By the time punk exploded in 1976, the band - Hugh Cornwell, Jet Black, Dave Greenfield and JJ Burnel - had played in virtually every influential venue in London, winning fans and honing their performing skills.

While not fitting the punk template quite as neatly as the likes of Sex Pistols and the Clash, there was enough snarling energy and power in their music for them to ride the wave while it lasted.

“None of the other punk bands liked us,” says the bassist JJ Burnel. “It’s funny hearing young bands mention us as an influence now, because back then no band would ever admit to liking us.”

He recalls a fateful incident in 1976 which he had a fight with Paul Simonon of the Clash, with Simonon’s bandmates, plus the Sex Pistols, the Ramones and members of the music press on one side and the Stranglers and their friends on the other.

“It was more handbags and a bit of growling than anything,” he says, “but from then on, the lines were drawn.”

As punk subsided, however, the Stranglers endured. And have continued to do so, releasing 17 albums and touring ever since.

“We’ve been around for so long and I think there’s a bit of respect come our way recently,” says the 61-year-old who is better known as JJ. “We’ve always conducted ourselves in a certain way. We haven’t released endless best of compilations and box sets and so on. There’s always been new music and we’ve always tried new things, so that’s afforded us a bit more respect.”

A turning point came around 10 years ago when JJ isolated himself to write the album Norfolk Coast. For the first time in a long time, perhaps since original vocalist Hugh Cornwell’s departure in 1990, the press were interested and new fans were drawn to the band.

The renaissance continued with Suite XVI in 2006 and in 2012 was capped by Giants, the band’s best and most acclaimed album since the 1980s.

“We made a great album with that one,” says JJ who was , born to French parents in Notting Hill, London.

“But then I always think that. I’ve thought I’ve released masterpieces for years, but it’s not always seen like that by others. There was a synchronicity to Giants, I think. It’s just timing, and it’s like that with a lot of things. Saying that, you don’t expect your best reviews on your 17th album. People tend to assume you’re tired creatively and have nothing left to offer. It was the opposite for us and we had offers coming in from all over.”

There won’t be a new album next year; JJ says he’d rather wait until there is a demand for one, and doesn’t want to rush anything.

“Performing is the greatest thing about being in a band, but it’s complemented by the time when we’re not performing, when I can collect my thoughts and make sense of the world I live in. I imagine anyone doing anything creative would like to do that.

“For now we’re just thinking about the tour. We’ve got 40 songs rehearsed so we can mix things up for ourselves and the fans and we’re raring to go. I can’t wait.”

The Stranglers are at Folkestone’s Leas Cliff Hall on Thursday, March 21. Tickets £26.40. Call 01303 228600.