Good Sunday afternoon from a vantage best descibed as the hissing of summer lawns but someone already took that title I think. Such a lovely summers day I wish I wasn’t stuck with a mountain of work in front of me. A strange post today but one I wanted to share anyway though I’m not sure what you’ll file it under; odd, funny, daft or vaguely interesting all come to mind. It only struck me as a bit of each but not a lot of one. Read on and make your own mind up.

While music from 1982-84 offered much brilliant stuff (despite that spell leading to the collapse of The Clash) there wasn’t much about television comedy that sticks in the mind for those less adventurous broadcasting times. Whilst music was reinventing itself and challenging,  television was generally a decade behind in terms of going through anything resembling a punk phase. One notable exception was BBC’s The Young Ones which ran from November of 1982 to June of 1984, I thought my memory was playing tricks on me but only twelve episodes of the comedy were ever made. At the time it was probably the most anarchic thing that the BBC had ever ran in the 80′s and upon research I found out that the only reason it ever got commissioned was the advent of the new television channel (Channel 4) in the UK and the BBC fearing that any ‘alternative’ audiece would migrate to the new station en masse.

Background information complete and fast forward 30 years, Ade Edmonson who starred as Vyvyan Basterd no longer has orange spiked hair, in fact he has no hair at all. However in a throwback to the days before The Young Ones he now tours as the head of a band he began in 2008 called The Bad Shepherds that are deeply influenced by punk music. The three piece act features Ade on  on vocals, mandolin and mandola; Troy Donockley on uilleann pipes, cittern and whistles and Andy Dinan on fiddle and their repertoire includes a wide range of  punk and new wave covers with a folk sheen. Now 56, Ade grew up right when punk came to the forefront:

“I was 19 when punk arrived, so it’s always been a part of me. But even before that I remember when we got (folk electronic band) Fairport Convention. That felt kind of revolutionary”

He plays because he enjoys it and the band just began a 5 date tour of Australia but the music doesn’t aim for any comedic edge, simply a folk instrument based interpretation and loyal observance of the original songs. For Ade it’s become a career love after his comedy phase ended and takes the music seriously as evidenced by the dexterity of the musicians. Worth a look if you have the chance, you can find out more via their official site or Facebook page. Dates coming up include Sydney, Brisbane and Perth over the first 8 days of May.

Source article for quote – TheAustralian.com

The Bad Shepherds – London Calling

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The future is unwritten, so share it

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Good morning, it’s Friday again at last. I was up bright and early this morning and noticed the Clash Blog cat and dog don’t care what day of the week it is, getting some breakfast was a bigger concern. I noticed the same indifference from a rabbit who was hopping down the street and also the low-flying stork (without a baby) that distracted me to the point of almost running the car off the road. Sorry to go all Dr. Doolittle but I wonder if the animals get a better deal? On reflection probably not because they don’t have a brilliant record collection like so many of us.

So what’s on tap today? I have photos, lots of great photos and a sign that you really need to read the blog often to make it along to the events that matter most. It also helps if you’re in London.

Last night you may recall that I wrote about the launch of the new Sheila Rock book ‘Punk+’ at Browns in central London. The book looks amazing and as you might expect there was a healthy turnout for the opening event. Friend of the blog (and yet another West Ham United supporter) Nick made it along and has graciously allowed me to share his photos below. He’s the handsome chap with Mick.

Mick? Yes, that one was there along with Sheila Rock naturally, Don Letts, Tony James, Paul Simonon, Chrissie Hynde and others. A splendid time was had by all whilst you and I were working yesterday. All winter long we’re wondering where our Clash crew are and as soon as the snow melts and the sun reveals itself they’re out and about. It might be a very active summer I hope.

Please join me in thanking Nick for the photos and being on the spot. As ever click on any image to enlarge and open gallery.

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The future is unwritten, so share it

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A very fine Thursday morning to you, I’ve got my coffee and a pretty full schedule but some things have to wait when important things are happening in New York City.

I know you think that New York is best known for the Yankees, the Statue of Liberty, the bagel or perhaps The Ramones but those in the know understand that all of these rank beneath being home to the Joe Strummer mural on the lower east side. A gathering place for Clash fans since it was created and even had a full makeover, it has survived snow, baking heat, flooding and even some grafitti attacks but currently is at even greater risk.

Thanks (deep thanks) to the always brilliant EV Grieve blog (a blog dedicated to the East Village) for the photos below. As you can see the entire building that is home to the mural is getting facade repairs. Workers don’t need to tell them that they better not drop a brick or spill any paint on our mural. I’d suggest keeping an eye on EV Grieve for updates as they are on the scene, the rest of us can simply wait and hope for the best. Is it me or does the first photo remind you a little of late stage sets used by The Clash? Symbolic perhaps!

Click either to enlarge and view the gallery.

images the exclusive copyright of EVGrieve.com

The future is unwritten, so share it

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