Saturday morning – welcome back to the blog or hello for the first time. I’ve a few things to be catching up on so let’s get straight to it.

If you don’t visit The Quietus website you really should. They offer a great range of news, interviews and opinions. It’s one of my favourite sites for indie music interviews and they never fail to deliver thought provoking interviews and break news as quick as anyone. Thumbs up as usual to the site for a great interview with Pete Shelley of the Buzzcocks. Pete is always a good conversation and this is no exception as he discusses Joe Strummer, the legacy of his band and punk rock. An articulate chap he also muses on the (huge) gap between London and Manchester.

“We found this whole other world of ideas, but tried to temper all that meaningful stuff with humour. Really, punk was about questioning things”            Pete Shelley

Next then………..as much as I like and admire Joy Division and New Order was it enhanced by the antics of Peter Hook? Yes he plays mean bass and of course he was instrumental in the appeal of both acts but he never struck me as anything other than a difficult chap. If more evidence was required (it’s not) here’s some from a recent story in Rolling Stone.

Another good article about the demise of albums that is worth a read. In a very suitable analogy is compares the record buyer of 1980 who purchases London Calling thus acquires the equivalent of a novel, while the ipod generation (need a term for that, leeches seems weak) are essentially cherry picking songs and never getting the full flavour of an artist. I tend to agree and I’m sure the gap can be bridged especially when a 13 year old can spend $40-$50 on a PS3 game, you could get 3-4 cds for that. Come on parents – do the right thing!

This sounds like a good book to look out for – Who Shot Rock & Roll: A Photographic History 1955-Present. Fans of The Clash won’t be surprised to see Bob Gruen (happy birthday yesterday Bob!) and Pennie Smith feature in the book. There’s something about those black and white images that just completes the legacy. I look at the Bob Gruen Clash book at least every week as those photographs are simply magic.

Speaking of books there is a new release for Clash fans:

New Clash Book released...

The Clash: Essential Interviews (Rifftastic!/Rock Reader Books) – compiled by John D. Luerssen

Here is the link and part of the blurb:

From its first-ever gigs with The Sex Pistols to the creation of its triumphant 1979 album ‘London Calling’ and on to the global success of 1982’s ‘Combat Rock’ and everything in between, THE CLASH: ESSENTIAL INTERVIEWS collects the group’s most candid and indispensible media interactions. It is a must-read for any Clash fan.

I’d be happy to write about a review copy if I was sent one (hint hint…again) but can’t imagine there’s a great deal I’ve not read yet…but prove me wrong!

Okay that’s all for now. More news this evening.

Tim