Mick Jones – sowing the seeds of Big Audio Dynamite
Hello again and welcome once more to the blog. After a busy few days it will either come to you as a relief or a shock to find that this post isn’t exclusively about Joe Strummer. Indirectly a decision that Joe made in 1983 led to what I’m about to write about, but that would be splitting hairs. I finally got around to getting a copy of the Legacy edition of the Big Audio Dynamite debut “this is Big Audio Dynamite”. Few things scream louder about the passing of years than these special editions that are getting released to celebrate anniversaries of the initial release. I suppose that only cuts to the quick when you have a clear memory of purchasing the album (on vinyl) at the first time of asking. I don’t feel so bad about that knowing that so many of you are in the same boat.
The album was originally released with great anticipation in October of 1985, although you could argue the official 25th anniversary is not for a few months CBS/Sony/Legacy actually released the special edition in April of this year. I don’t quite know why I didn’t pick up it earlier but that’s neither here nor there. I would’ve been 18 when the album was released and that two year spell between what was essentially the dissolution of The Clash and the release of this album was a spell where I found myself listening to some great music but still lamenting the end of the band. After The Clash split you could rely upon the NME and Melody Maker to provide at least occasional gossip about the future of Mick Jones, what was clear from the very earliest days was that he wouldn’t be rejoining The Clash and that Joe and Paul with some new recruits would keep the band name if not the quality. Late in 1983 or early 84 it was reported that Mick was working with Topper and a new plan was being formed, when the rumour fell quiet the next thing I recall reading was that he would be working with Dave Wakeling and Ranking Roger from The Beat as a member of the newly formed General Public. That turned out to be far more than a rumour and Mick did indeed work with them on their new material and featured on their debut album “All The Rage” which I believe was released in the summer of 1984.
I get the impression that Mick’s involvement with them may have been more a case of helping out than his next career move. By all accounts simultaneously in 1984 Mick had continued to sow the seeds which were to become Big Audio Dynamite. He had certainly approached Don Letts very early on and the remaining members of the band were in place that same summer. Leo Williams had been playing with Mick since very soon after he left The Clash whilst drummer Greg Roberts was added later during ’84, plus Dan Donovan on keyboards in ’85. Reading the music papers compulsively combined with the fact that I worked in a record shop at that age resulted in me frequently asking our CBS rep if he knew anything about Big Audio Dynamite and when something might be expected. In hindsight it seemed like an awful long time had passed between the rumors of the band working and recording and the actual release late in 1985. Strangely, during that same period of time the new version of The Clash had been equally quiet in terms of recording output but they had played live as a now five piece lineup extensively during 1984. That in itself kept The Clash under the spotlight and while the glare was not on Mick Jones it’s now very clear just who was producing the more worthwhile record.
It’s also interesting that while The Clash with a revamped lineup hit the road in earnest in 1984 some of the tracks that eventually made up the 
final Clash album were in existence very soon after Mick got the sack. I remember thinking that the delay between Combat Rock and that album seemed almost endless, especially for a band who had released so much material between 77 and 82. If anything the feeling was that the new Clash would get a head start on Mick by releasing some new material first but in a strange twist of fate it was actually Big Audio Dynamite that released their first album about three weeks prior to The Clash. Working in a record shop at the time and knowing a lot of Clash fans it is hard to believe that we used to debate whether the Big Audio Dynamite album could possibly be as good as whatever The Clash did next. I also recall still being pissed off about the way Mick was ousted and had a quiet suspicion that his project would actually turn out to be better. Probably the only time I was ever 100% correct when forecasting events connected to The Clash. It’s a bit hard to relate just how different things were in 1985 perhaps Mick Jones sums it up best in the sleeve notes for the newly released Legacy edition: “What do I remember?… Reagan was president, Thatcher was Prime Minister and we were Big Audio Dynamite”
I will scribble up my review of the Legacy edition later this week focusing on the bonus artwork, the special packaging, the fully remastered first album and the bonus disc which probably drew the most attention. That’s all for now-Tim.
July 20, 1984 story from the 'Ottawa Citizen'
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Wish there was more info out there about Mick’s involvement with General Public!!! I was actually hoping your post might delve into that…I think there’s a nice chunk of history there that needs to be explored. In any event, here’s a trivia qs. for clashbloggers—Mick’s voice is not heard on the record, except for these 3 words that lead off one of the songs…anyone care to guess?
I must say, other than my Clashophilia, I have a added vested interest in GP because the English Beat are one of my favorite bands; and my concert going years have been chock full of English Beat shows…and never a dull one at that. As fate has it, the English Beat played on Sat. in NY at Webster Hall (what those of us who lived in NY area in the 80-s used to call The Ritz…one of the first venues where I saw the English Beat in 1982…) and it being Joe’s birthday on top of that, it was quite a night. Funny then to see the General Public album cover on your blog tonight; Dave Wakeling still regularly plays General Public tunes at his shows and I’ve often thought it would be immense fun if he and Mick were to join up onstage.
Anyway, thanks for the mention of GP…maybe someday I’ll get an interview with Dave and get his side of the story anyway…Joannie xxx
Great comments Joannie. Yeah that General Public spell does need more analysis, I think it probably lasted no more than a few months – and like you I had a lot of time for The Beat. (without the English!)
I’ll dig some more – I don’t recall any official interviews in NME/MM with Mick as a band member but I may be wrong. The resultant album was good though, if (to me) a step marginally from The Beat. Dave Wakeling works his arse off even now and carries a lot of good feeling everywhere he plays.
I bet Dave would do an interview….maybe we should get him for the Blog!
Joanie,
I found a short interview from ’84 now posted on the same blog story. As ever there’s a story in the story!
You got that right about Dave!!! Here’s a cheerful and funny guy, never stops smiling from start of show to finish, he still has a beautiful voice and plays guitar with a very unique and happy sound. He surrounds himself with professional and talented musicians. He’s got an ear for talent. Hence the reason General Public “All the Rage” is still a moving and very danceable album.
Cmon Dave and Mick—you guys have to get together!!!
And yes…I think we by all means we should get Dave—I will def. let him know you’re interested! and yes I think he’ll do it in a heartbeat. You might be able to get a face to face Tim, he’s in your neck of the woods often and loves the publicity!
Tim, which record shop did you work in? cheers
If I tell you I’ll have to kill you. Let’s just say they had a dancing bag…..for your records.
\still cant get it?
Was it ‘Our Price’ Tim ? I’m desperately trying to remember obscure 1980s TV adverts and somehow this comes to mind. There used to be one in Acton High Street when I first moved here in 1987 as far as I can remember, opposite the big yellow ‘M’…….C’mon, spill the beans !
I think we’re forgetting the Special Aka Way, Selecter and many others
forgetting them how? We were talking about Mick’s involvement with members of The Beat….
Pete hes ducked the question!
oh, my ears are a bit bunged up after my sickness this weekend. I didn’t realise there was a question to be answered!! I’d love to say I worked in some indie shop to help finance my schooling but alas I was a part-time/summer employee at the formerly huge chain you mentioned indifferent London locations. I’ve got some stories to tell which I’ll have to share in later posts about certain artists who needed the Entire Tottenham Court Road branch closed down so they could shop in peace and quiet.
Hope your feeling better Tim….I have replied to your email mate…
Nick,
Thanks…I didn’t get the email – can you try again?
Tim
I had visions of a ‘High Fidelity’ type establishment, but realised quite soon this was in fact not true ! The only shop which approached this (film version, not Nick Hornby’s book) I ever went to was Probe Records in Liverpool, where in the early eighties you would be served quite probably by Pete (Dead or Alive) Burns, and given either an approving or disapproving look depending upon your particular purchase ! Pete Wylie would often be seen in there too…..
No such glamour….but we had quite a good laugh on Tottenham Court Road as you can imagine….free tickets all the time and white label 12″ singles