Good Morning, hope all is well in your corner of the world?? We get daily visitors from on average 35 different countries so I do mean that literally. I’ve not had an opportunity to do my typical search for “Clash” related news for a few days so I thought I’d try that this evening (I wrote this last night). I must say that after a very busy August and September for stories both old and new about The Clash it’s been much quieter this month. In a sense that’s been handy as I’ve not had as much time for the blog as previous but that’s alright, I’ve got to work too!! CIA updated and Global A Go-Go will be overnight…so please have a gander.

I was made aware of this video below a few days ago which it seems hasn’t been seen by many. It features a very extended interview with The Clash backstage in Toronto in the later part of 1979, it’s a really interesting and at times hilarious view of the lads when they were just about to explode in North America. The interview is just over 30 years old (Sep 26 1979) and within 3 months London Calling would be released and all the potential would suddenly be heralded as the band began a 3 year spell of amazing popularity. Have a look -- also worth looking for is a snippet of The Undertones.

Now onto the Daily Mail. Never my favourite paper due to the politics and the demeaning pandering to the Royal Family and celebrity culture (but not even in a subtle or funny way). This article (which I only found due to the Mick Jones connection) essentially sums up the aimless style of both the subject matter and the journalism itself. The topic is ‘being the wife of a Rock Star’ and it’s written in true 1964 (barefoot in the kitchen/where’s my dinner?) style where the celebrity wife plays to a peculiar audience unique to the Mail. She being Rosie Mortimer who herself has famous lineage and her marriage to Groove Armada’s George Vjestica. The interview is full of her waxing about the ‘West London Scene’ and the fame and fortune of her husband. Regardless there is some Mick Jones interest and this fantastic quote *which contradicts the whole article that proceeds it:

Living with a musician can be difficult. They are often self-obsessed and inconsiderate, and I’ve heard horrible stories of them screaming at their wives in furious rages, being unfaithful and refusing to show any sort of emotion.Thankfully, George has been nothing like this. He is generous, fun to be around and has always done everything to make me feel comfortable and included in what he does for a living.

Hard to explain but please read the article and be glad that’s not your life! Right onward we go….25 years ago Mark II of The Clash went on a lengthy US tour without Mick or Topper. The ‘Out of Control‘ tour never had a running support act in contrast to prior jaunts to the State. In Milwaukee on May 14 E*I*E*I*O opened for The Clash back in 1984. The band were one the earliest proponents of a scene that grew rapidly in the following 10 years of alternative country which has since meshed into an indie country scene this decade. Anyway I write as the band are playing this Friday in Milwaukee which locals should get along to. The diversity of acts that supported The Clash remains mind boggling.

The Specials

Finally a short interview with Jerry Dammers on clashmusic (they need to change their name) who recalls the earliest days of The Specials. References of course to The Clash and Bernard Rhodes. The importance of The Specials to The Clash and vice versa in 78-79 is often overlooked, there was some definite synergy there. I was too young to even realise they toured together but find it ironic that as a 13 year old playing London Calling daily the other album I reached for each afternoon was The Specials debut. If you have any memories of The Specials let me know. An overdue feature on them and the Clash ties is something I’ll get together soon.

More soon…cheers -- Tim

Good Morning and welcome to the working week. I’ve got part two of Stuart’s account of the Breaking Rocks night to follow a little later and the welcome return of The Clash Cup. In the meantime Tom Cat from Winkball.com wrote in to let me know there have been a pile of updates on Winkball made to the Mick Jones Rock and Roll Library page. I wrote about winkball back on September 2 so if you are wondering what it’s all about have a look there. I like the concept of having a wall of videos about a single topic rather than having to mine youtube for hours on end. Added videos include many more inside looks at the library, interviews plus a performance from the Rotten Hill Gang. One last thing about winkball…it’s a West London (Clash Country) operation…..so check the site.

More as soon as I get some work done!

Hello all and I hope your weekend is going well…mine is but that’s due to the end of Arizona Summer (which I hate) and Cesc Fabregas creating 5 of Arsenal’s six goals today (which I love). I’ve got a few things to dig into so please stay a while.

I guess it was inevitable that a punk rock biopic would be under studio review. It’s been a remarkable 23 years (!!) since ‘Sid and Nancy’ and although I thought that was a good film I’ve waited ever since for another major film or two to be made hinging on the punk movement. I’ve a feeling The Clash story will one day be made (Scorcese?) but the current rumour is a Ramones bio!! I am sure there is a great film in the Ramones story -- if you’ve seen the documentary ‘End of the Century’ you’ll agree. As an aside based on the average (shaggy) hair length I’m seeing these days finding a cast who look the part won’t be a problem either. It’ll be interesting to see if this comes to fruition.

A while back I wrote part one (part two still pending…sorry) about the 10 year anniversary of ‘Rock Art and the X-Ray Style’. I’d purposely delayed part two as soon after that post Richard Norris who was working with Joe Strummer on many of those original tracks explaining he’d like to add more substance to the events as he felt I was dismissive (fair enough -- though I purely went with what’s been written in the past and combined with my memories). After communicating with Richard he put together a brief overview of his experience with Joe that I hope to share on the blog on Tuesday. Stay tuned -- and thanks for getting in touch Richard. This blog won’t censor anyone!

Speaking of Joe Strummer his now legendary ‘vanishing act’ gets another review in the Guardian. The event gets told once more on a list of the five best music ‘excuses’ -- this apparently to divert the press/fans/media from the fact that the band were by that time imploding. Not that it changed history but it certainly created some.

This was a nice find (and I’m sorry for the Billy Bragg overload -- but he is perhaps the second best PR voice the Clash have in 2009!!!) Billy happened to be in San Francisco for a gig at the same time as Friday’s nights Strummerville event. He showed up at the venue for the Joe tribute and had a bit of stage time to discuss Jail Guitar Doors, Mick, Topper, Joe and the Clash. Nice one Billy…

There’s also this one of Bragg playing Jail Guitar Doors (and talking a bit more).

Okay, theres much more to come and I vow to get another update later today…cheers til then.