Good morning, the wonderful people over at Strummerville asked if I could mention the following event scheduled for tomorrow (Oct 30) in London as they have had computer issues (join the club) and were unable to post this information as early as they would have liked.

If you are in central/northwest London tomorrow afternoon please try and make your way to The Subway Gallery – in itself a unique venue as it’s located (you guessed it) underground at the Edgeware Road/Harrow Road pedestrian subway. All the information you need is below and I hope you can make it!

STRUMMERVILLE……….NEWSFLASH…………..

The Subway Gallery

The band THE MUSICAL DIFFERENCES, with the support of Strummerville, will be recording as part of the ILLUSION exhibition at he Subway Gallery. For a single day they’ll be turning this pedestrian subway/art gallery into a recording studio to write and record a track or two. Come down and sing, see the art, enjoy the exhibition, meet some like-minded people and even do some busking in the subway. The gallery is open from 11am and the recording will probably start around 4pm.ILLUSION FEATURES WORK FROM 11 CONTEMPORARY ARTISTS:

TOM BEARD, CRISPIN CHETWYND, EMMA CHITTY, LIBITA CLAYTON, LAURIE MACPHERSON, GEORGINA MASCOLO, R.G. McHARG III, NINA ROYLE, SHORVON & HUNTER, BEN WEBB.

Download THE MUSICAL DIFFERENCES cover of Peter Tosh’s ‘I am that I am’ from the band’s Strummerville profile:

For more info on the event and how to get there click here (

Loads of love,
Strummerville

Just walk down there....

I’ve added a map above…it’s the labyrinth of entrances to Edgeware Road Tube…. – Tim

Hello all – sorry once for the delay in posts, I was innocently watching a free live stream via Justin TV of Liverpool/Man Utd on Sunday morning (my time) when my computer got infected with swine flu or similar (same thing that hit Man Utd I’m pleased to add). Needless to say, the old PC was never to recover which led to me being without access for a few days and hence the lack of posts in the intervening time. Blah blah blah I hear you say…but that’s what the issue has been. In the meantime Clash news keeps coming in so please allow me to play catch up for the next few days. There is one vital matter for today!!!

Today (Wednesday) London – I recommend in stronger terms that I can write that you make your way down to see the cinema premier of the Alan Miles documentary Breaking Rocks . As you know it received wonderful reviews and acclaim during the Raindance film festival appearance in Camden Town a few weeks ago and tonight’s events look to be equally memorable. Here is what I can confirm: The Full West End Premiere of the Film / Q&A Session with Billy Bragg and Alan Miles / Acoustic Set in the Foyer with Billy Bragg.

Here’s the rumoured part (but a hunch you should go with if you read this in London). The acoustic set may well include Mick Jones and Topper Headon with the Billy Bragg ensemble, even if my sources are incorrect it will be a brilliant evening and if it’s correct it will be an historic one also. Topper had played with Mick and Billy back in September you may recall as Jail Guitar Doors was re-recorded for the film.

For regular visitors to the site you are well versed on the Jail Guitar Doors project if this is your first visit here is all the information you need! Lot’s of news about an American ‘branch’ of the project will follow soon also.

Jail Guitar Doors official site

Proceeds will benefit Strummerville

Breaking Rocks Raindance Film Festival information

Billy Bragg official site

Hoping some of you can make it along this evening to the Prince Charles cinema – doors open at 830pm, tickets via the link!

Cheers

Tim

Saturday morning – welcome back to the blog or hello for the first time. I’ve a few things to be catching up on so let’s get straight to it.

If you don’t visit The Quietus website you really should. They offer a great range of news, interviews and opinions. It’s one of my favourite sites for indie music interviews and they never fail to deliver thought provoking interviews and break news as quick as anyone. Thumbs up as usual to the site for a great interview with Pete Shelley of the Buzzcocks. Pete is always a good conversation and this is no exception as he discusses Joe Strummer, the legacy of his band and punk rock. An articulate chap he also muses on the (huge) gap between London and Manchester.

“We found this whole other world of ideas, but tried to temper all that meaningful stuff with humour. Really, punk was about questioning things”            Pete Shelley

Next then………..as much as I like and admire Joy Division and New Order was it enhanced by the antics of Peter Hook? Yes he plays mean bass and of course he was instrumental in the appeal of both acts but he never struck me as anything other than a difficult chap. If more evidence was required (it’s not) here’s some from a recent story in Rolling Stone.

Another good article about the demise of albums that is worth a read. In a very suitable analogy is compares the record buyer of 1980 who purchases London Calling thus acquires the equivalent of a novel, while the ipod generation (need a term for that, leeches seems weak) are essentially cherry picking songs and never getting the full flavour of an artist. I tend to agree and I’m sure the gap can be bridged especially when a 13 year old can spend $40-$50 on a PS3 game, you could get 3-4 cds for that. Come on parents – do the right thing!

This sounds like a good book to look out for – Who Shot Rock & Roll: A Photographic History 1955-Present. Fans of The Clash won’t be surprised to see Bob Gruen (happy birthday yesterday Bob!) and Pennie Smith feature in the book. There’s something about those black and white images that just completes the legacy. I look at the Bob Gruen Clash book at least every week as those photographs are simply magic.

Speaking of books there is a new release for Clash fans:

New Clash Book released...

The Clash: Essential Interviews (Rifftastic!/Rock Reader Books) – compiled by John D. Luerssen

Here is the link and part of the blurb:

From its first-ever gigs with The Sex Pistols to the creation of its triumphant 1979 album ‘London Calling’ and on to the global success of 1982’s ‘Combat Rock’ and everything in between, THE CLASH: ESSENTIAL INTERVIEWS collects the group’s most candid and indispensible media interactions. It is a must-read for any Clash fan.

I’d be happy to write about a review copy if I was sent one (hint hint…again) but can’t imagine there’s a great deal I’ve not read yet…but prove me wrong!

Okay that’s all for now. More news this evening.

Tim