NEW Wave icons The Stranglers are marking their 40th anniversary with the Ruby Tour, whose 28 dates include Leeds O2 Academy on March 21.

The men in black are embarking on a world tour this year, kicking off in the UK in late February and rolling through Europe, North America and the Far East.

A comprehensive series of anniversary reissues, rarities and collectors’ items are soon to be revealed, reflecting a pioneering and sometimes controversial career that has seen The Stranglers go from enfants terrible banned by the BBC to playing the 2012 6Music Proms at the Royal Albert Hall.

The Ruby Tour set will take in tracks from all 17 studio albums, starting with their infamous debut, Rattus Norvegicus.

Ahead of the opening night on February 27 in Inverness, Franco-English bassist JJ Burnel has a message he wishes to impart: “On this, the occasion of our ruby anniversary, I would like to take this opportunity to stick my fingers up to everyone who wrote us off and dismissed us,” he says.

“However, I would like to thank those who saw beyond the words of the critics and drew their own conclusions. He who laughs last, laughs longest and loudest. This year we will make a lot of noise with our friends.”