Hello everyone on this middle day of the week. Some really interesting stories to share today from The Clash news wires (makes it sound really official, it’s more a case of me scouting about). Happy 60th Birthday Bruce Springsteen (honestly!)
First off a really heartwarming story which has a decided Clash flavour on two counts. From the London Evening Standard is a story about Joanne Scott and her battle with cancer. Joanne Scott moved from New Zealand to the UK as a young woman and befriended Shane MacGowan. She was involved in clothing design for both The Clash and The Pogues. When she was diagnosed her lifeline was daughter Tara and The Clash connection continues. Tara works for the WI Shoreditch Sisters founded by Joe Strummer’s daughter Jazz. It’s a great story and a great Clash connection rings through it.
Staying with Clash ‘offspring’ theme you may be aware that Paul Simonon’s two sons are both involved in fashion/male modeling. Hardly my area of expertise so give me slack as I offer my very pedestrian critique of the image below. Erm….get a bass guitar! In all seriousness Louis states he plans to start a record label -- I hope that’s the case. For the time being they look like extras from an Adam and The Ants video, but who am I to argue with Galliano? I thought he was an astronomer before now. (self-deprecation intended). Da Diddley qua qua….
Paul's boys
I agree these are fairly obtuse stories to be getting on with so here’s another. The curator of the Thackray Medical Museum in Leeds has a story to tell also. It seems that Jim Garretts is an old school Clash fanatic going back to the earliest days which is why I recommend his story is worth a quick read. If you’ve been to Leeds you’ll understand that things such as this make Yorkshire the 2nd best place in the world.
What would tonight’s post be without an angular Clash related video to share also. I think the one below fits the bill as the The School of Rock (which I wrote about a few weeks ago) held their Clash night. Come on now…it’s pretty good and these are young kids.
I did it -- a whole post revolving around Clash Kids!! Talk to you soon ~ Tim
The future of The Clash Blog is unwritten....please share it
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.
As promised yesterday -- video clip from Breaking Rocks featuring Billy Bragg, Mick Jones and Topper Headon. Billy Bragg has even been kind enough to be in contact with the blog about the project…I’m so chuffed and grateful to Alan Miles, the director.
Legendary Clash members Mick Jones and Topper Headon were reunited in the studio for the first time in 27 years when they joined Billy Bragg for a recording aimed at promoting the folk singers Jail Guitar Doors campaign.
The future of The Clash Blog is unwritten....please share it
