Good evening, vaguely exciting day as I’m working on another interview that will be exclusive to the Clash Blog. I’ve got some news that needs to be looked at so let’s jump into that.

Regular followers of Mick Jones will remember him being involved last year in a project called ‘Dirty Stop Out’. The music was alright and he seemed to enjoy his live appearances with them (check out youtube). Anyway the project was the musical support side gig of lingerie maker Agent Provacateur. There were a few limited press reports that one half of the ownership of AP had sadly committed suicide over the weekend. I assume Luca Mainardi (he who passed) was an acquaintance of Mick and I’m sure the news was a shock to all around him. I’m not certain if Mick was involved in the album that Dirty Stop Out were currently working on. Joe Corre who was also in the band and is the son of Malcolm McLaren and Vivienne Westwood. Again, news reports are a bit vague so if I find out more I’ll report it.

Staying with Mick Jones, the on again/off again rumours of a Libertines reunion seem to be heading back to being a non starter. Carl Barat is reporting that the ‘time isn’t right’ for a reunion and that nothing has been planned. Indeed it seems that he is now working on a solo album for the new year. I’d be curious to see the outcome of a Libertines reunion but again I think the window might be closing (as far as it being a good thing to reform).

Ade Edmondson star of cult TV comedy The Young Ones in the early 80′s also falls on my Clash radar this evening. Ade has messed around with guitar since he was a teen (he’s now in his early 50′s) and has now teamed up with Neil Innes (Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band and The Rutles fame) to form a makeshift folk band. The story itself is an interesting read and the video (below) is pretty special also.

Nothing to do with The Clash (though there is a Morrissey connection) guitarist for hire Johnny Marr has most recently now joined The Cribs (who I endorse fully). By all accounts everyone is happy with the arrangement but I’ve found Marr’s gypsy like status since the Smiths once of the oddest tales in music. Since parting ways with Mozzer he has worked with The The, The Pretenders, Sinead O’Connor, Billy Bragg, Modest Mouse and formed Electronic with Bernard from New Order. A remarkable career that’s covered brilliantly in this new interview.

Last but by no means least -- I want to wish a speedy recovery to the genius that is Leonard Cohen.

Gotta get to bed….more tomorrow

Friday morning at last, it’s been that sort of a week. Funny how the events this week with Billy Bragg sent more than just me into a bit of a frenzy. It’s not every day that 50% of The Clash get together to re-record an old Clash number and better still in this day of online promotion you can get pretty much ‘real time’ access to exactly what’s going on. It reiterates a theme I’ve dwelled on a few times and that is just how much the music industry and media has changed in the 30 years since The Clash were active. In the 70′s and early 80′s the music press held all the cards. If you wanted news you waited for the NME or Trouser Press to be kind enough to share it. If you wanted to hear the songs it was late night sessions on the BBC or perhaps independent radio in the US. When did college radio kick in in the States to help indie music? 1982-3?

If you wanted to see the band wait til they finally toured in your town or city, by the time MTV came along and made music videos the norm The Clash were already close to the end. With all that said I did a quick scan of the reporting about the Jail Guitar Doors event this week and wanted to share some with you:

Consequence of Sound went with the somewhat bold “The Clash reunite, well kind of…”

The Telegraph promised even more as “The Clash Musicians revisit one of their classic tracks”

The New York Times (consistent Clash support) keep it up!

Uncut was more subdued as it just stuck to the details

The Guardian kept up their Clash campaign with a nice “Topper and Mick collaborate on charity single’

The Mirror (wankers) decided to cease the Strummer baiting long enough to fire out a story which was even vaguely accurate!

UKPA announce ‘Clash duo reunite for a Jail Project’

I’m excited on two counts, it shows that the level of interest in the Clash remains high in general which cannot be a bad thing. It also brings a lot of added awareness to the Jail Guitar Doors program specifically and the film just before the release date. Needless to say I hope the Clash Blog will be your preferred source for Clash news but nice to see a story create such a buzz this week. I must get my head down to some work, Clash Cup tonight and some assorted stories this weekend.

Cheers – Tim

Many thanks to Steve Kirk from Night of Treason for providing more photos from the ‘Breaking Rocks’ session with Mick Jones, Topper Headon and Billy Bragg plus ‘graduates’ from the Jail Guitar Doors program. Photos are fairly self explanatory but Steve assured me it was a very special day to see them play together. Billy Bragg’s face looks like how I would look, despite his 25+ years in the business I can still see ‘Clash Fan’ all over his face. Steve assured me it was a priceless time to be present for as Topper arrived first and Billy had to traverse the whole of England to arrive on time.

As for me, I can’t hide the fact that Billy Bragg has had a huge impact on me since I was a teen, and emotionally/politically took the torch from The Clash and carried it through the 80′s, 90′s right up until now. Great images – thanks Steve.

Topper's missing his kit....

Happy looking bunch...

Topper doing what he does best

All images courtesy Steve Kirk