Good Afternoon from a hot and sunny Phoenix. In the home stretch now – probably less than 30 more days of 100+ fahrenheit weather left. A quick preamble, I’ve got some busy days ahead so posts might be a bit shorter than usual in the days ahead. Quick can still be just as lovely, I’ll reduce the use of adjectives and start using these when discussing albums: S/T GETR LC S! CR FHTE and if you don’t understand then I suggest you think about it.

Wanted to buzz around the news wires for you and it seems former Mick Jones accomplice Gary Duke has made headlines in a controversial way. The story has caused a lot of debate about freedom of information and unfair dismissal. My confusion – is Gary Duke the ‘real’ name of Gary Stonadge? The article isn’t more specific than ‘used to work with Mick Jones’ the age is close (I think 47 versus 48) but the photograph isn’t convincing to me. If you know if we’re discussing one and the same…please put me right.

Mid 70′s, Queens Park Rangers and colourful footballers should be a enough clues to know I’m about to mention the unforgettable Stan Bowles *(you were thinking Rodney Marsh!). Stan has given this smashing interview with the Guardian in which he discusses The Clash and that he’s mates with Mick Jones. Whatever next? It’s brilliant when unlikely icons of your youth end up perhaps sharing a pint as a matter of course. Can the revelation of Topper Headon being chums with Alan Hudson be far behind?

This is an inside story from an unnamed source (there was a message on a park bench for me this morning). It seems Mick Jones may well be making an unannounced appearance (performing) at the R+R Public Library this

Zeb!

Saturday Aug 22…around 5ish. A number of others may also be there, perhaps Zebedee. Again this is unconfirmed, but if you can make it to West London on Saturday – bring your camera! (if you are neither British nor born pre 1972 accept my apologies for Zebedee reference, if you were…isn’t it nice to see him?

Some said Michael Jackson was bit off his trolley when he was with us. Seems his death is doing nothing to change that theory as news has broken of this.

Former Mick Jones girlfriend Ellen Foley is appearing at Retrofest in New York on September 10th. Foley has stayed involved in film and music all through the years and will be a future subject of a Clash Vaults story.

Joe Strummer 57th birthday events are here on this site, plus this from Austin Texas, the Kooks playing the aformentioned R+R public library and more as I find ‘em…or just tell me!

Finally the very affable Badly Drawn Boy paints another picture of Joe that warms your heart that bit more. Clash Cup later…get in there!