Back again….I may have missed a day right? Sorry about that – will do some double duty this weekend. Having heard the entire version of Plastic Beach instead of just a snippet, would you know it was Mick Jones / Paul Simonon playing on the new Gorillaz track if someone wasn’t telling you it was so? I think you can pull out Mick’s style from the song (linked in previous post) but not so much Paul. I do think the album is really good however. You never know with Damon Albarn, I think if anyone has got the potential to get the three members of The Clash together for some recordings it might be him, though Mick’s existing commitments might scupper that idea.

Just to cover old ground but as it’s coming up soon don’t forget that Strummerville will be fully represented at this year’s SXSW music festival in Austin. There are sure to be a number of articles / interviews and hopefully a bit more to follow, all the pertinent details are on the Strummerville site. I had hoped to make it over to Austin at least for the weekend but airfares seem to have doubled while I sat on the fence (apparently due to Spring break and the airlines seeing a chance to make a killing) so I will be reporting as best I can from here. The idea of driving 15 hours each way doesn’t have the same Kerouac appeal as it once did – and having seen New Mexico and heard about West Texas I think I’d lose my mind. One huge feature for Clash fans at the festival will be the Strummerville film – details from the site reproduced beneath:

On Friday 19th March ‘Strummerville – a film by Don Letts’ will premier at the Paramount. The film, directed by the London born, Grammy award winning filmmaker and artist Don Letts, captures the very essence of Strummerville. The film journeys through the past six months of the diverse Strummerville calendar, including interviews with the bourgeoning talents and the friends and family of Joe who work hard to keep the charity going. The documentary also includes unseen footage of Joe Strummer taken from Don’s personal archive. On the film Don says, “In a cultural climate that feels like punk never happened Strummerville (the film) serves as a timely reminder of a way forward. It worked back then and it can work again – and man it needs to!”

On to related ground, I’ve neglected (purely on accident) to write much about Los Mondo Bongo. Many of you will know the band features Pablo Cook who helped start the Mescaleros with Joe Strummer. His new band are currently touring the UK and feature Pablo plus bassist Derek Forbes (Simple Minds), guitarist Steve Harris (Gary Numan) and vocalist Mike Peters (The Alarm). The band are certainly their own unique thing and not just a ‘tribute act’ as they’ve been tagged -  but Pablo doesn’t disassociate from his time with Strummer. They also tend to play a few Clash/Strummer songs live – and do them justice! I promise I’ll write more on them because I’ve been waylaid so far. The video below should give you a taste as should this article in the Derby Telegraph.

“As a writer, it seems a bit odd, saying I’m paying tribute to my own songs. I’m just playing my tunes to people who appreciate Joe Strummer and The Mescaleros. We do a few Clash songs as part of the evening – to celebrate Joe. And to keep the flame alive is great for me.”

I really want to do this…..Do you have a Clash or B.A.D. or Joe Strummer ticket stub?? Email me if you do and can forward a photo or a scan…I want to feature them on the site, I do love ticket stubs. Right then…I’ve got to dash but here’s a song I keep listening to this week (and the video is really well done) Vampire Weekend’s ‘Giving Up The Gun’.

Good Morning, it’s Friday right? Sorry about the lack of a new post last night, I played football last night and when stretching for the ball (doing my best impression of a 42 year old Tony Adams) I felt something ‘go’ a bit in my calf. When I got home it was giving me a bit of a nag so I just packed up for the night and laid down like the old git I guess I’m becoming. I do love playing football though it’s not the level of excellence but just the chance to kick and head a few balls and whack a few shins twice a week, it stops me from being nasty to old people and children alike.

Just a few short things for now and I’ll summon up the time for a longer post this evening. I think/hope the blog is functioning a bit more like normal the last few days (according to the stats the navigation and time spent on site is back to normal so it suggests it’s working properly). If someone can send a comment to this post so I can test it further please? Gail – I owe you an email – thanks for your patience! As we’d covered earlier Paul Weller received his well earned ‘godlike genius’ award from the NME this week and thanks to Mark for sending me the video of Weller receiving the award and then getting a very nice hug from Mick Jones who was at the ceremony. This linked video also features an interview with Weller on the night – if you can get past the knob interviewing him its pretty good. I’m trying to get the upload on the video with Mick – expect to see it later on the site.

Also from the same night of the NME awards – watch Mick Jones put up with Courtney Love, or is he just humoring her?

Finally I’ve found the full video for the Haiti benefit single by Shane MacGowan and friends ‘I Put A Spell On You’. The video is great featuring plenty of Mick Jones, Nick Cave, MacGowan, Bobby Gillespie, Glen Matlock and Johnny Depp. The highlight for me was the vocals by Chrissie Hynde who really belts it out. More importantly to download the song and contribute to the cause please visit concern.net (where you can read more and watch the video again). If you’re an internet social media kind of person this is one of the few times I’d suggest you facebook and twitter this one!

Right…enough videos for one day eh? See you later…

Saturday night and I should be out seeing the sites but domesticity and a stomach flu keep me on a very short rope. I was explaining the kid’s rhyme ‘Oranges and Lemons’ today (to a child) and found myself getting the words mixed up – all due to Clash City Rockers I expect. I’ve a few things to be getting through tonight so let me cover the off topic matters first. Everton Football Club I must thank for keeping my hopes alive in consecutive weeks and cheers to Amy Williams who won Britain’s first Olympic individual gold medal since 1980! Is it true that Robin Cousins used to listen to Rudie Can’t Fail over and over again on his brand new Sony Walkman back in 1980? Seems such a long time ago…..my excuse is that the UK is severely lacking in mountains and snow (well at least up until the last two winters). On to Clash related matters some time soon…I hear you mumble.

I need a secretary to get through all of these bits and pieces as I just reviewed my list of pending stories. I plan to update the stats on the Global A Go Go page soon also as the US traffic to the blog is now leading the UK by a sizable amount – so I’m going to lay down a challenge to my homeland to catch up! I realise the US has 5 times as many people but The Clash are ours and the blog traffic should reflect this. (this is all a bit tongue in cheek of course).

I feel a bit remiss in failing to spread the word that the Jail Guitar Doors ‘roadshow’ is doing some dates this week and next. All the details are here and there is still time to make it along to Nottingham, Bristol, Southampton, Cardiff and London. Billy Bragg is on the bill and of course a chance to see the film so please show support if the schedule fits. Speaking on Billy Bragg (so long as he keeps talking about The Clash I’ll reciprocate) there was a good article profiling his career and recent activities in The Times.

The Sidebar in Baltimore (downstairs I'm guessing)

Clash fans near Baltimore/Washington (maybe Philadelphia?) need to consider dropping $5 next Saturday night to attend the 3rd annual ‘Night of The Clash’. Seven (!!) bands will be performing Clash cover versions – so there should be something to your taste on the menu. Event takes place at The Sidebar Tavern in Baltimore starting at 5pm (seven bands after all) next Saturday.

Weren’t we just talking about Manic Street Preachers? I thought so…was glad to read about a bit of a battle of principals in Glasgow this week. Seems that Manic Street Preachers Nicky Wire had a good old go at the bloated carcass that is Radiohead. Bad words were exchanged and the whole nasty event has reached the music press. At the heart of the issue is downloading killing music (you know where I stand) and Wire accused Radiohead of only being bold enough to offer free or near free downloads after they became multi-millionaires. I must say he has a point when you think about it. Things simmered until MSP performed during which Nicky Wire said this of Ed from Radiohead (I’ll have to censor the ‘c’ word…probably the only word I won’t put on the blog….and I don’t mean country music although the first syllable is the same)

“Apparently Ed O’Brien called me a wanker, I’m really fucking scared, go back to your boarding school you ****!”

Full details are on the NME. Worth noting this a festival of bands that had previously played there marked the 20th anniversary of the famed King Tut’s in Glasgow. This made my radar because the owner was interviewed by the BBC and he was asked what was the best over gig at the venue, naturally he had the sense to say Joe Strummer and The Mescaleros in 1999. Link to that story right here. I need a rumour confirmed or denied and I know someone will know the answer (ideally someone reading this). Did Mick Jones really appear on The Damned’s Machine Gun Etiquette as an uncredited vocalist? If so what track? I thank you. Finally for now please read this article from the wonderful Quietus about some quotes attributed to John Lydon. I’m not someone to downplay the importance of the Sex Pistols and PIL but the jury is out on where Lydon resides today (and I don’t mean Los Angeles). He just seems to have morphed into something that is 50% parody and 50% confused, it would be nice to see some of the earlier (music based) output from Lydon – failing that get an agent who ensures you get better press.

Right…that’s me out for now, more tomorrow and thanks for visiting.