Good evening everyone, cheers for stopping in at the blog. I seem to remember making commitments to keeping some of the regular features on the blog rotated on a more frequent/consistent basis but not for the first time a combination of other interesting news or my own sense of chaos seems to have prevented me from fulfilling that. In this electronic age I really should be far more organised than I am when it comes to the blog, but what I’ve determined that what I really need to do is purchase an old fashioned paper calendar to remind myself of tasks. Between work and the various blogs and projects I try and maintain eight email accounts to which I often email myself reminders, only to find my reminders are often opened a day or two after intended. Does this happen to you too? Is my technical skill level permanently going to reside in 2004….will a smart phone somehow make me feel less saturated or more so? Answers via email…no…scratch that…

One ‘regular’ feature on the blog was/is Video Clash which I just noticed I haven’t managed to get to now for sixty days which in itself is impressive in a ‘just what have I been writing about the last two months?’ sort of way. I realised today when I finally got around to adding the first video beneath to the facebook page. So…standards are as ever that these are more recently uploaded Clash related videos to YouTube, Vimeo, Daily Motion et al that I hope most of you have not seen before. I’m sure you’ve seen some perhaps but I’d sincerely doubt all unless you’ve simply got too much time on your hands. My loose commitment as of today is to try and run through these a few times per month. Or…once a month at the very least.

Mick Jones with Rotten Hill Gang at the Tabernacle on New Year’s Eve 2010/11: This video reminded me just how overdue my update was for the blog. Mick as ever looks as happy as the proverbial at the tail end of what was a very busy and travel filled year for Mr. Jones. While I guess I shouldn’t be surprised that ‘Should I Stay..’ remains a huge crowd-pleaser do you think it’s often chosen as a sing along when Mick appears because the band he guests with tend to know the song or that the crowd aren’t anticipating Atom Tan? The Tabernacle (that I’m not familiar with) incidentally is tucked away behind Westbourne Park Road, Ladbroke Grove (West London).

The Clash at the Concert for the People of Kampuchea: While I’ve read and written a great deal about this appearance at the Hammersmith Odeon on December 27, 1979  I’ve never handed over the cash to own the video nor the DVD that (I think) was released later by Miramax. This was The Clash right on the cusp of a new decade and an album (London Calling) that while receiving favourable press had many asking exactly what had happened to The Clash as a punk rocker’s concern. This stunning version of Armagideon Time shows a band that have the song as fresh in their repertoire as can be….still (to this writer) the best later Clash song never to make it on a studio album by the band. Can you imagine (or perhaps some of you actually) did have tickets for that evening and then the following which featured The Specials, The Pretenders and The Who? Heady days indeed.

Chap ranting about Mick and Paul’s time with Gorillaz: This shows that you can upload anything whatsoever to YouTube. I don’t have time to explain this video although I wish that chap watched the AOL sessions instead of ASL? It’s funny on balance…does he have a guitar plectrum in his mouth perhaps? I know that his opinions were shared by many when Paul and Mick were added to the tour roster but I think the tide gradually turned after concerts were attended and Paul and Mick showed what a great time they had. Damian (sic) Albarn has been warned….

Notting Hill Carnival mini-documentary: In the dark days of winter the Notting Hill Carnival seems a long way off but this short documentary might cure your midwinter blues. Loads of great vintage footage and a Clash provided soundtrack kicks off about half way into the video. Old newsreels and modern video from the carnival peppered with some clips from the White Riot inspiring events in the summer of ’76.

That’s all I have time for this evening…your thoughts, ideas and suggestions all welcomed. If you prefer a debate about gun control you can join that (already in progress) on my other blog….sigh. Thanks for swinging by…more tomorrow I’d say.

Image courtesy www.twoshortdays.com

Hello again and thanks for returning to (or finding) the blog, I try and update the blog at least daily and you’ll fine nearly 550 previous entries that should offer you enough Clash stories to keep you busy. One small change to the site in the right hand margin near the bottom you’ll see ‘Clash Blog back issues’ which should make it easier to browse older articles by month and year. No other great news here at Clashblog towers so lets jump into another edition of Video Clash. As ever I can’t guarantee that you’ve not seen the clips before as so much gets uploaded each week and there’s every chance it’s not as ‘new’ as it appears but I’m sure you’ll find a few you’ve not seen before. Another request to regular readers, if you’ve seen Gorillaz on any of the recent UK dates please drop me a line with any thoughts or comments as it seems the UK press are saving the stories I anticipated this weekend. On to the videos then:

A true garage band covering ‘Janie Jones’ – Yes its very raw and no there are no signs of a microphone or vocals but don’t let that turn you off. These three lads look to be about 15 years old and hail from Taranto, Italy. I’m also not prepared to say based on hearing it that they are much beyond grasping the most basic of chords or song structure – but the point is they are practicing to a 34 year old Clash song and the surroundings look like a Mediterranean equivalent of a Camden Town rehearsal room in the winter of ’76. I especially enjoyed the fingernail picking non band member off to the right. They’ve got a long way to go but if Enrico, Rocco and Manu ever make it you’ll know you saw them here first.

Serbian schoolkids cover ‘Should I Stay..’ - I don’t tend to share every single cover of a Clash song as there are far too many (which in and of itself is a good thing in my book) but this one is worth a 3 minute investment. Apart from the fact that the band sound pretty good check out the very little lead vocalist. Not needing to concentrate on strumming the little lad who can’t be more than 8 or 9 belts out a impressive version of the late era Clash single. Honestly this must be the most covered Clash song of all probably due to recognition and relative ease to play – but – not easy to sing well especially sans Joe’s Clash Spanish backing vocals.

‘Protest Guitars’ by Johnny Punish – This is hard to describe really so I’ll let the video be your guide. In short this chap is obviously a serious Clash fan and he’s written his own song that incorporates a number of Clash song titles as lyrics within his own tune. Even his vocal styling is a little reminiscent of you know who. Its not bad at all without approaching brilliant and is a nice tribute. Turn out Johnny Punish has his own website and used to be a member of L.A. (I think) punk band Twisted Nixon more on them via the link on their name, he maintains a blog and on it explained this week about why he wrote the Clash tribute song and offers more background information you might find interesting. Full credit to him and his story of early 80′s punk activism Anaheim style is well worth a look.

Short Clash interview clip from Hamburg (?) Oct 1977 - Although the clip only lasts 90 seconds its still enjoyable if not so much for Mick’s seemingly thoroughly pissed off state but Paul trying to make the best of a bad fist despite Mick disagreeing. It was just two weeks into the bands first series of dates outside of the UK and Paul seems excited to be somewhere else but the venues, accommodations and audiences all get a determined thumbs down from Mick. Joe Strummer although appearing on camera on and off says little but his wry smile perhaps speaks volumes. The more seasoned Clash spotters amongst you will recognise the clip from the ‘Punk in London’ DVD – you might even tell us who else appears in the short video.

Drive A performing ‘White Riot’ – I’ve heard so many covers of Clash songs that most just end up annoying me because they just sound wrong and try and ape the original or by trying to lend something entirely new to the song it ends up being so far off that it doesn’t work either. With early Clash songs cover versions often fall far short of capturing the treble rich guitar sound and overall energy of these early recordings. I include this one as apart from the vocals their version of White Riot has almost the ideal guitar sound while the production captures just the right amount of raw kick the song merits. Seems that Drive A formed in Los Angeles in 2007, you can hear more of there original stuff over on their MySpace page.

That should be enough to keep you going for now, I’ve found I think a better filter for pointless videos and still we’re looking at about 30-40 to filter through per week – so I may need to increase this to every 7-10 days in the future. Waiting 4 weeks like this time means I’m sure to miss some good stuff. Have a good one, I might get this posted tonight or wait til early tomorrow – cheers – Tim. (Oh…if you get a chance can you click the Wikio button at the bottom of posts? Thanks). Don’t forget my other blog World Service Bulletins for when you get tired of my collected videos…

A-OK says the man

Hello again and welcome back to the blog on this especially good Tuesday. It’s been an exceptionally good day so far, although I woke up far too early and now feel like it’s 2 AM (it’s only 8:30 PM). The weather was perfect, Arsenal strolled through their match and won by a score of 5-1 and then this evening I saw a headline which made me reach for my mouse like it was made of solid gold “Margaret Thatcher admitted to hospital”. Whilst I immediately hoped it would be a one-way trip it turns out she just has the flu, however I have to confess it did get my blood racing for a short while. Hopefully things will turn out for the best and she won’t recover. If that sounds a bit bitter you didn’t spend your crucial years living under her disgusting leadership in the UK.

Enough of that, there will be plenty to say when the time comes and I’ve certainly been extremely patient. I thought we should get on to an edition of video clash as it’s been quite a while since I looked for the latest and greatest. I’m not in Blue Peter mode and have nothing prepared in advance so with some luck there should be some good stuff just based on the law of averages. As ever if you have seen any clips before forgive me although I’m sure you won’t have seen them all.

The Clash as animated characters, wasn’t that Gorillaz? I really don’t know which aspect of this is saddest? The fact that teenagers and young adults now pretend to play guitar or drums via their Xbox/PlayStation, or the fact that these videos are then uploaded to YouTube for public consumption or probably the fact that I’m showing you this on the ClashBlog tonight. Probably a bit of all three when it comes down to it and I realise somebody might tell me that Guitar Hero is really good fun and perhaps introduced you blah blah blah, but you know what I don’t really care. Go and buy a real guitar, bass drums or keyboards… failing that get some mates who can play and try your hand at singing and if none of the above are options for you I can save you the cost of the game and recommend half a dozen CDs you really should own instead. As for the video, the Strummer character in a white suit with a white hat is the pick of the bunch (oh wait…it’s not even a bloke). But the whole thing is a travesty.

Should I Stay or Should I Go cover version – Well this is exactly what I’m referring to above and bless these lads who may be 14 or 15 for having a go at the Combat Rock track. Even a bit ahead of their time they managed to incorporate keyboards to the song giving it their own distinct flavour. Plus check out that backdrop, after being knocked sideways by all the Gorillaz stage majesty of late it’s nice to get back to basics. My only complaint is those little yobs down the front aren’t paying enough attention. There is also a definite Brian May perm on stage but we will let that be. I can’t tell you much more about the video, I had guessed due to the baseball cap wearing drummer that it might be in the States but it shows how 1990s I really am as it was shot in Italy and the backdrop was my clue. The school event (I’m guessing) was filmed in Brescia. Bravo lads!

Joe and Paul interview in New York 1982 - I’ve seen this clip before in pieces but not the complete version which is featured here in extremely good quality. The interview took place in 1982 and offers Strummer with his kiss curl an extended chance to talk about the shows at Bonds, playing live with The Clash plus this and that. Paul meanwhile looks bored for the most part but extremely comfortable. The interview is good but I struggle to get past the interviewer’s haircut although she does seem genuinely interested in the band and had done a bit of homework to her credit. Great clip and definitely worth a watch, the newscast is called Live at Five and I’m sure someone will know what network it was on.

Coma Girl….done differently – Whatever you do make sure you give this video more than 20 seconds, make sure you ignore the fact it looks like he’s been locked in a storage locker and found amplifier microphone and make sure you disregard the fact that these he’s either quite large or his ukulele is smaller than average. Ignore all that and you hear a pretty fair (vocally at least) rendition of one of Joe Strummer’s last great tracks and this chap’s gravelly voice is more suited to interpreting Joe than Springsteen is in my humble opinion. I can’t comment on the ukulele, I don’t play one and have never tried but for some reason I like this video all the same. I hope the guy got out of the locker. Incidentally it looks like he might have smashed up his wrist trying to escape. He’s from Tacoma, Washington…that’s all I’ve got.

That’s all for now…I did stumble on another but want to save it, it’s that good…seriously.Have a splendid Wednesday. Tim.

Oh wait…one bonus video…not Clash related but worthy due to it’s brilliance…watch it full screen. You’ll be glad you bothered.