Well hello again, all things being equal it’s the end of your working (or studying week) or perhaps you are part of that fraternity of people who work weekends? I’ve been in that boat and the rest of the world just don’t relate to you if you have a week day off cos you have to work a Saturday or Sunday do they? Anyway if you are a weekend worker I hope you enjoyed your day off during the week. Not sure why I brought that up – mostly to welcome in the weekend before we see what’s come over the Clash newswires the last 36 hours.

Quite a lot of activity to be expected in the next week or so as Stummerville makes it way to Austin for the SXSW music festival and hopefully we’ll get to the bottom of a rumour that’s been circulating for the better part of two weeks about Simonon and Mick Jones becoming part of Gorillaz live band. Initially I heard that the two former members of The Clash would be appearing with Gorillaz at Coachella and then that they would actually become a semi-official part of Damon Albarn’s live band for gigs coming up in the UK. Now it seems the rumour is heating up as the NME are joining the speculation I’ve offered above. Two thoughts on this, first I think where there’s smoke you tend to find fire so I do expect it to happen at some level, secondly I don’t care if you fail to enjoy the music of Gorillaz (I realise some Clash fans are more than a bit turned off by it) the fact that Albarn respects his musical heritage enough to include Paul and Mick is good enough for me if that’s what it takes to see them play live on the same stage together. To extend that point, Blur made some of the most interesting music of the 90’s while I’d take all three Gorillaz albums and The Good, The Bad and The Queen as representing some of the more diverse things done during these last ten years. The heritage of a musician who takes chances and constantly evolves is entirely in keeping with the spirit of The Clash and for me has more merit than Simonon and Jones joining a band that attempt to be a modern day Clash circa 1978 (I won’t name names but there are more than a few of those kicking around with a US origin). Let’s see what happens and keep an open mind to new music – in as much as there were Clash fans who disowned the band after the release of London Calling you’ll find Blur fans who can’t find value in what Damon does now. I’m banking on it being made official next week.

This is great (thanks for the heads up Alan Miles) and make sure you make some time to listen. A podcast is up with an special feature about JGD. It kicks off with the reworked version of Jail Guitar Doors with vocals from Billy Bragg and a new verse from Mick Jones. It’s a pretty lengthy podcast which doesn’t

image courtesy Laura Levine

exclusively feature Jail Guitar Doors related material but there’s enough on there to keep you interested. The bulk however features an extensive interview with director Alan Miles (who put the film ‘Breaking Rocks’ together about the charity)  and tracks by some of the artists associated with the project. The link to the site is here and they give you a further outline there especially if you want to skip to your ‘Clash’ bits.

New York City and The Clash is a theme we’ve touched on more than once on the blog, accepted wisdom is that Manhattan gradually became the overseas headquarters of The Clash especially from 1979 onwards. As the British press started to reject the evolution of the band they spent more and more time in the US and Canada, New York becoming the hob for the band. It extended beyond the residency at Bonds and other famed concerts but they also were immersed and inspired by the scene in the city not to mention recording and mixing so much of their music in the town. I only meant to write a sentence there…sorry…I mention the pairing again as PopMatters posted a good article about New York and the band that’s worth a quick read.

I’ll have more over the weekend – Clash Cup and more. Thanks for visiting…..

Right then here we are again. It’s that spell now between Christmas and the New Year where you get all wheels spinning and decide what might be different in the New Year. I’m genuinely excited about the arrival of 2010 as I’ve got a fundamental hope that I’m capable of learning new and better ways to do things.  I’ve also gone back to taking supplements and fish oil and reduced my caffeine intake by about 75% and tried to get on a better schedule. Anyway, whatever works for you…..do it!! After all of which I figured why wait for January 1st to do what I know needed to be done. I also know I need to communicate better so that’s a goal…for the blog…and overall.

So….bringing this back to The Clash Blog, I started this up just over six months ago with a rough idea of what I hoped the blog might become. Its taken me that long to realise that I can’t do everything as often as I’d like to so I’m going to spend some time between now and the New Year making some pencil plans for the blog so it can accomplish more and be a better resource for Clash fans and still give me a chance to chirp on about music, politics, culture, getting older and whatever comes into my noggin. Its been a great ride so far and the most inspiring part has been the willingness of others to share ideas, contribute and try and spread the word. The viral nature of the internet is something else to watch take place, that coupled with the fact that people from almost every country on the planet have visited the blog makes it all worthwhile. I had a feeling that The Clash community (is that trite?) would support something that was current, varied and interactive. Its the interactive piece I want to work on in 2010, so if you want to submit your own story, review, column or opinion piece so we can get more Clash news and ideas out there all the better. I want to add features to the blog that are good and eliminate what doesn’t work. I’ll use polls in January or February to try and establish that a bit further.

I also want to thank those who’ve offered so much support and time in spreading the word about the blog. Special thanks go out to Pete, Shannon, everyone at Strummerville, Angela, Strummernews, Catherine, Joannie, Alan Miles, Carbon Silicon, David, Jessica,Charlie, Mark, Gail (I’m sure I’ve missed a few) plus the numerous excellent music/culture blogs that are so free with positive encouragement and suggestions. Amazingly we’ll have had our 100,000th visit in the middle of January – which makes my head spin.

Right, thanks for reading this far!! I also wanted to make sure that everyone in or near Boston gets along to the Middle East in Cambridge, MA for a special Clash event. Boston band Destroy Babylon will be playing every track from London Calling to honour the 30th anniversary of the albums release. Details are here – but essentially 8pm Jan 1st, tickets $12 on the night or $10 in advance. Get along!!

I’m also keen to hear from anyone who attended any of the Joe Strummer events in Chicago, Glasgow, Bologna to name just a few. I’ve got to be better prepared next December!! I’ve got some photos from the Phoenix event to post very soon (thanks Brandon).

Tim

Hello all – sorry once for the delay in posts, I was innocently watching a free live stream via Justin TV of Liverpool/Man Utd on Sunday morning (my time) when my computer got infected with swine flu or similar (same thing that hit Man Utd I’m pleased to add). Needless to say, the old PC was never to recover which led to me being without access for a few days and hence the lack of posts in the intervening time. Blah blah blah I hear you say…but that’s what the issue has been. In the meantime Clash news keeps coming in so please allow me to play catch up for the next few days. There is one vital matter for today!!!

Today (Wednesday) London – I recommend in stronger terms that I can write that you make your way down to see the cinema premier of the Alan Miles documentary Breaking Rocks . As you know it received wonderful reviews and acclaim during the Raindance film festival appearance in Camden Town a few weeks ago and tonight’s events look to be equally memorable. Here is what I can confirm: The Full West End Premiere of the Film / Q&A Session with Billy Bragg and Alan Miles / Acoustic Set in the Foyer with Billy Bragg.

Here’s the rumoured part (but a hunch you should go with if you read this in London). The acoustic set may well include Mick Jones and Topper Headon with the Billy Bragg ensemble, even if my sources are incorrect it will be a brilliant evening and if it’s correct it will be an historic one also. Topper had played with Mick and Billy back in September you may recall as Jail Guitar Doors was re-recorded for the film.

For regular visitors to the site you are well versed on the Jail Guitar Doors project if this is your first visit here is all the information you need! Lot’s of news about an American ‘branch’ of the project will follow soon also.

Jail Guitar Doors official site

Proceeds will benefit Strummerville

Breaking Rocks Raindance Film Festival information

Billy Bragg official site

Hoping some of you can make it along this evening to the Prince Charles cinema – doors open at 830pm, tickets via the link!

Cheers

Tim