Rattus Norvegicus is the first album by The Stranglers, released in 1977. The band's name was printed as "The Stranglers IV" on the sleeve. The album was originally to be entitled "Dead on Arrival" but was changed at the last minute. It was one of the highest-selling albums of the punk era in Britain. Some websites incorrectly list the album as IV by a band called Rattus Norvegicus.
It was produced in one week by Martin Rushent, and was basically a snapshot of the band's live set at the time.
The original vinyl release included a free 7" single, containing "Peasant in the Big Shitty (live)" and "Choosie Susie". Two singles were taken from the album: "Grip", and "Peaches" (released as a double A-side with the non-album track "Go Buddy Go"), which gave the band their first major hit single. A remastered version of the album was reissued on CD in 2001, including these three additional tracks.
