Hello again and welcome back to The Clash Blog – or thanks for your first visit if that is the case. Again I apologise for the dearth of posts, computer issues, plumbing (the house – not me), family stuff and work have each taken their toll. Please stick with the blog as daily posts will be back soon!

With that said there is bigger news to share with you this weekend. Tony James has updated the Carbon Silicon blog at last with some news about the much discussed and concern causing (for some fans) second album. The second release titled the ‘Carbon Bubble’ has been discussed, debated, promised and anticipated since the latter part of 2008. I watched the site, read the forums and saw anticipation turn into excitement, excitement to frustration and then frustration to doubt. It seems a lot of Mick/Tony fans went from endorsing the band to doubting the commitment of the two key players. I can’t say I was one of them for a number of reasons – First look at other bands these days, once you are an established act 3 albums per decade seems about the norm, it’s no longer record, tour, write, record like the treadmill The Clash (and their peers) were on. The fact that Jones/James are ‘elder statesman’ makes them an established act in my book so patience is a given. Don’t forget the fact that the debut album The Last Post wasn’t released for more than four years from when they started writing together. In addition, we waited years and years for Joe Strummer albums and Mick Jones himself was ‘absent’ as a recording artist for the better part of a decade. Doubt and negativity from fans don’t help an artist, especially in the internet age….and unlike many bands it seems Carbon Silicon DO read their forums and the fan’s opinions.

Anyway, here is the actual post by Tony James on the C/S website. I’d suggest you read it more than once as Tony says a lot and still leaves a lot to interpretation. Tony discusses why the band are continuing and the importance of the music released being fresh, new and creative. He also explains that what the industry expects versus what he and Mick expect are very different. He explains what appears to be fundamental differences with management (a Clash ghost reappears) and why a band that had been born online and communicated online suddenly appeared to vanish from the venue which they most endorsed. Regular visitors to the blog will also know Mick Jones had a busy summer…in some senses (and I’m just guessing) it was the summer that Mick Jones realised just how beloved he, The Clash and Carbon Silicon are and were. From various concerts and benefits to the Rock and Roll Public Library Mick was not far from the public eye and I get the impression that Tony has been working on the ‘behind the scenes’ aspects of band management and a record release.

Which brings me the point of his post – that there will indeed be a new album and that it may be released for free online in the near future. If that’s the case I’m supportive so long as I can donate my $16.95 to the cause. Music shouldn’t be about the money, but art shouldn’t just be taken. (I know that contradicts the MP Free basis of the band…but so be it).

Anyway – stay tuned – I hope the update on the site signals more to come. I’ll let you know!

Tim