I don’t normally make a featured post about a single video clip unless it is a new ‘event’ or somehow exclusive to the site. In this case it’s neither but rules are meant to be broken. To the best of my knowledge (and to more seasoned internet Clash fans than myself) it’s the first time thought that this clip has  been available online. It’s visually pretty bad/borderline awful- and the audio isn’t fantastic but it is a unique document and well worth your time. It’s a clip from September 1977 on French television. A brief interview with a pretty chirpy Mick (primarily) and a very disgusted looking Joe with Topper and Paul warily looking on. Jones looks like he might weigh 9.5 stone and a strong gust of wind would take him out of the studio. The interview runs to 2:48 and is followed by Complete Control and 1977.

“Control Absolute” indeed. A very weak (volume/depth) guitar sound reminded me of my first practice amp set low. Probably due to the TV station but impossible to say. It’s strange hearing Complete Control in such a demo/subdued way but doesn’t detract from the overall importance of this document. Seeing the band interviewed ‘out of their element’ and riding high on the buzz the debut album created is excellent stuff. You have to love the special effects used as well. The stage set looks like a 10 year old kid’s bedroom….pretty weird clip overall but something I’d never seen in my life before yesterday.

Cheers Tim

Sa..tur…day (night) just had a vivid 1976 (?) flash back….Swap Shop…Bay City Rollers….Keith Chegwin. If you’re from the UK and about my age that will make sense, if you’re not it only goes to show how much England needed punk rock and The  Clash in 1977. I’m getting out the long broom handle this weekend and adding to other pages on the blog – cut the crap has some new additions as will Audio Clash when the weekend is through. If any regular visitors know much about downloading torrents (especially audio) please email me. I need to catch up with blogs this morning so that’s my focus so let me see what’s popped up this week:

I’ve no idea if Mick Jones reads the blog but if he did he’d be interested to read this article by musicinsider as Mott The Hoople have announced a series of shows. 5 nights at the former Hammersmith Odeon (now the Apollo) should see a lot of people dusting off their burberry hats and growing the sideburns. Mick Jones was more than a fan of MtH he was intensely devoted to the band as being a fan was a big part of his teenage years. This wasn’t a case of buying all the albums he was part of a collective known as Motts lot who essentially were full time fans following them everywhere.  Musically I always thought they were innovative during a time in English music when the list of bands thus described was pretty thin. 1971-1976 was a pretty dark time for music as the 60′s buzz washed away you were left with a lot of lumbering pompous rock that was neither inspiring not easy to relate to. With some notable exception on the fringes of glam it was a bleak phase.

Punk’s not dead oh no…or so the Exploited had us believe in 1981 by which point it sort of was. That’s another long long debate that perhaps we can invest in at some point, I’ve got a theory about the attitude never need leave you but music…good music….does and should evolve. On that topic of punk I always am fascinated that in Eastern Europe a first generation attitude to punk still exists which is both simultaneously novel and dated. It’s almost the land that time forgot (I realise that sounds elitist, it’s not meant to) and when you read this post from Turkey about ‘punk’ you’ll hopefully see what I mean. I vividly recall a trip I took to Berlin mid 80′s pre-unification and it was as if Joy Division were just about to happen. In the former Soviet Bloc and Russia itself the scenes we took as history in the ‘West’ remained vibrant long after the sell by date here was declared. There’s no right or wrong, it’s just an interesting contrast.

I’ve a feeling that more than a few of you have amassed a vinyl, and then CD collection that has been both a source of pride but also a battle of logistics and space. I’m one of those people too…I undertsand. Incidentally no, greatest hits albums should not be filed with the standard releases but filed immediately after dependent on the artist. So this article about record collecting made me smile but also offered some amazing information. Steven Blush, journalist, collector was a fan of hard rock and then took a trip to London where he saw the Clash – he then became a serious collector. It’s such a worthwhile article as it explores collecting, digging (prospecting) and the future of vinyl. Vinyl collecting is increasing again according to all the experts and with that the prices are on the rise. It might be time for you to clear out your cupboards.

Sorry, there are no polls available at the moment.

This blog puts together a nice overview of ‘underappreciated’ musicians who for the most part toil in pretty famous company. Maybe it’s just me but I was shocked to see Mick Jones on his (overall good) list for overshadowed musicians. At the time the Clash were a going concern I always saw it as a 4 piece collective with the ‘creative engine’ being Strummer/Jones - I always saw that as equal billing . Despite the fact Joe sung a much higher ratio of songs – the Clash always seemed to have 3 front men – as a kid I thought Mick  Jones was more important. I never saw it as Joe’s band. Post Clash I think that balance remained for the most past – certainly with the fans. I do however think the media/press have started to canonize Strummer and cast him as the nucleus…as much as I love Joe…it was in every sense of the word…a group. Topper is also on the list which seems more likely, he was the glue.

OK – have a good one…it’s actually raining here so it might be a good day to play the lottery.

This one knocked me for a loop – Edwyn Collins formerly of Orange Juice does a ‘different’ version of 1977. The good news, it’s a free mp3 if you just click here. I don’t know what to say and that’s rare for me. It’s the wrong voice, the wrong pace, it’s acoustic and yet it doesn’t completely fail. I just am not sure what the point was. I’d love to hear Edwyn sing Bankrobber for example, that might work.

There’s also a cover of Clampdown by The National on the same page, if you are already there than why not? Both tested, virus free so please have a listen.

I’m going to start a series of posts comprehensively looking at songs the Clash covered and also Clash songs covered by others. It’s a prickly subject but I’ll try and be objective. I know there are so many out there I’ve never heard so it might be fun, worrisome, sad or a little of each. As a resource I’ll also bury a page on the site with links to everything I stumble upon so you can search as you see fit. I’d planned this from the start but had been putting it off until I heard Edwyn Collins do his thing.

I liked Orange Juice, quite a lot, but now I’m thinking about skipping citrus for a while. I’d love to know what you think.

No Ellllvis, Beatles or Orange Juice…..

Also…I updated the very popular Global A Go-Go page…12 new nations welcome aboard..up to 55 now!

Tim