A remarkable gathering of members from three of the most important bands from ’76-’77 at the 100 Club on Sunday night. I’ll be posting full information about the event later tonight. All indications are the famed little club behind Oxford Street was treated to a special and memorable night including a 25 minute set from this unlikely combination of members from punk’s leading bands. What a remarkable image with a member from  The Sex Pistols, The Buzzcocks and The Clash all sharing the same tiny and historic stage.

Mick Jones last night

Songs included Should I Stay (video on this page), Pretty Vacant, Train in Vain and You Really Got Me. There were many other very renowned faces on and off stage and what a fantastic benefit for the Terry Rawlings Family Benefit Fund.  More details and photos to follow when I get time this evening.

Pete – thanks as always!!!

Tim

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

Rolling Stone have posted a short piece about  Topper Headon. Good news is that part of the audio from the phone ‘interview’ is direct on their site. Unfortunately the clip only focuses on the creation of Rock The Casbah but even then it’s still enjoyable. You’ve got to figure there’s more to that phone call than that – so I hope Rolling Stone will release more online. It’s great to see Topper seemingly doing the rounds with the press to a certain degree, and even better to see him in decent health once again.

A very nice Casbah

Anyone going to see Mick Jones on Sunday night at the 100 Club? Please contact me if you are, I’d love to hear more about that event.

Also worthy of a quick mention is a new book by director Alex Cox called True Confessions of a Radical Film Maker. Slashfilm.com have posted a favourable review which suggests it’s worth purchasing, borrowing or visiting the library to get a copy. For the Joe Strummer connections alone I’m sure it will be good and when you add in the broad scope of Cox’ work overall I’m keen to get my hands on this.

Finally The Mail is writing for the sake of it about Lily Allen, Damien Hirst and Jewelry. When you get beyond the images there’s nearly a story there and just thought I’d link it due to the reference to Paul Simonon’s artwork and Hirst of course. I thought I was good at writing ‘apparently’ and ‘seemingly’ but the Daily Mail have me beat!

Not much else, we’ve got a good friend just diagnosed with Swine Flu so am a tad distracted til she gets out of hospital.

Cheers ~