Good evening, hope your week is rolling along alright. Just a few short things to share as I’m working out some new regular (rotated) features for the clashblog.

First up is a site dedicated exclusively to Joe Strummer’s guitar -- you can’t say fairer than that. Strummerguitar.com delivers what it promises and gives you a comprehensive history of his Telecaster, based on observation the events of the guitar’s ‘life’ are detailed on the site. He also chronicles how he went about creating a near replica of Joe’s famous instrument, not as a rip off but in homage I must stress. Seeking/creating just the right stickers Joe used and looking to match the wear and tear he’s done a tremendous job.

If you are so inclined there’s enough information there to start building your own Joe Telecaster. Also worth a mention is a series of photos he took about the constuction of the guitar. An enjoyable site to visit so I hope you do.

I mentioned the 100 Club yesterday (Mick Jones is playing there Sunday) and hot on the heels of that is an interview with Siouxsie Sioux on the quietus site. As you’re probably aware the club and the Banshees share a lot of history. In typical fashion Siouxsie gives really good lucid answers to the questions (which are equally well informed) . The interviews is centred around the Peel, Nightingale and other BBC Sessions box set that has just been released. I often wonder what music I would have been stuck with if it wasn’t for the hosts of many of the BBC evening sessions. Peel is the name always cited (and yes he was simpy brilliant) but his open approach to music and new bands inspired so many other important broadcasters who also ended up at auntie. She also mentions The Clash:

We did turn up to the Clash’s studio and they let us use their equipment but it was basically to see how things plugged in! [laughs]

Siouxsie has remarkable recollections of those early days and the people (many at the BBC) who helped get the band notice. Few things remind me of that period of music quite as much as seeing old video footage of the Banshees, the video below is from Tony Wilson’s Something Else. with  original lineup. Their first 3 albums (in my humble) remain cornerstone releases in any good collection and the influence they’ve had in the decades since keeps radiating.

I’ll complete the Lucinda Strummer piece in the next day or two and also be bringing number 3 in the Clash Landmarks series to the blog. Thanks as always.

Tim