Good Evening, you’ll recall that a week ago Proud Galleries were able to host another rather unique night in London Music history. Writing about events back in London is partially easy (in as much as I know London like the back of my hand) but not being there can be a hindrance. So as you know (or can revisit the story here) Mick Jones, Billy Bragg, Wayne Kramer and a host of others played an exclusive gig in conjunction with the first screening of Alan Miles’ film “Breaking Rocks” which chronicles the Jail Guitar Doors program. The finest thing about doing The Clash Blog has been the brilliant support, contributions and ideas from fellow Clash fans around the world. You are all familiar with the excellent work of our photographer friend Pete Stevens, in turn Pete has hooked me up with Stuart Warwick who was at the event last Thursday.

Stuart is a 41 year old artist, fan and dedicated supporter of the Clash and all things punk (as we gracefully and collectively slide into our middle age). Stuart has an art background as always enjoyed animation/cartoons (you’ll see below and in part two). As a hobby he’s contributed works featuring Steve Jones, other Sex Pistols, Rat Scabies and of course Mick Jones  and Tony James. They’re all keeping me busy enough at the moment. He insists it’s got to be for fun otherwise he won’t touch it. He arranges to have the art given away at gigs and such. He doesn’t earn a penny for any of his work but has been very happy with trying to raise a few pounds for a couple of charitable causes this year. So I’ll hand the story of last Thursday over to Stuart….part one….

******

Esty (my wife) and I got down to Camden – me laden with pictures, frames and assorted rubbish for handing out. I’d had a message from Jail Guitar Doors to pop my stuff off sometime after 4pm at the Proud Gallery, Camden. To calm the old jitters we stopped off for a few beers en route after checking into our hotel and go for a wander round Camden Market with a view to sussing out the venue. We have a skulk around, check out Rehearsal Rehearsals and the immediate area, where I spot Pat Gilbert chatting to some blokes

Stuart's special piece for the night

Soon we’re at the back of the Proud and I notice a bar sign. We decide to go in and order a couple of beers and hope to work out how/who/where to drop my pictures off. It’s a smashing warm day, so it’s outside again with our drinks to relax for a bit. Minutes later I can hear music coming from somewhere – and as the gallery seems to be open, and people are wandering in and out, I decide to go and explore. It’s Billy Bragg doing his soundcheck. I quietly observe for a bit – he’s doing ‘The Drugs Don’t Work’ I think. I go to get my wife, who’s still nursing her beer outside, but she won’t come in. She’s a bit shy. Eventually I persuade her to come in, but Billy’s just about done his stuff so we only catch the final two notes !

There are people putting chairs out for the film and roadie types lugging gear around. I ask some bloke if he knows where my Jail Guitar Doors contact is and lo and behold it’s the guy standing directly behind me. I give him my pictures, then make to leave, when I hear ‘Jail Guitar Doors’ being played in the main hall. We pop through and it’s Pat Gilbert with Night of Treason, running through their soundcheck. We watch them and leave via the back

The audience at Proud ready for the film

exit. Esty sees Billy signing my painting – there are kind of stable areas off a corridor where the bands are based – and you can see over the chest height wall that separates them from the long corridor which runs down the centre of the building. Anyway – it’s a case of “Phew, job done” as far as I’m concerned, so off we go for, you’ll never guess, another beer or two….

….Gulp, glug, wash and scrub, we change clothes and exit the hotel at 6-ish to get to the Gallery for 6.30pm prompt, as the film is meant to start 7pm on the dot. Entering the Stables Market on Chalk Farm Road, not far from the legendary Roundhouse and the first person I spot, lounging on a bench is…..

*** Very nice Stuart...and thanks so much…part 2 will follow soon!Tim