Hello Clash mad people….quick explanation of the Clash Cup which I should offer as around 50% of visitors each day are first timers. If so – keep coming back as I update the blog every 8-12 hours 7 days a week. So onto some results from earlier bouts:

Koka Kola defeated Drug Stabbing Time 20-13

Hate & War defeated Where you Gonna Go (soweto) 29-4

I was interested to see how that first match up went and Koka Kola took a lead and held it – so another track from GTER is finished. Hate & War is ready for the next round. So that said I need your votes – well 2 of these 4 songs do and you have until Sunday at dawn:

Sorry, there are no polls available at the moment. Sorry, there are no polls available at the moment.

4 New songs and I’m not in the predicting game tonight, I’ve seen some shocks lately so it’s in your trusted hands. As always a chance to hear or see the songs is beneath and my initial thoughts about the new contenders.

The Street Parade - I’ve only got two thoughts to share on this – the first moment I heard about the death of Joe Strummer I played this song first and then Nitcomb. Don’t know why, but I’ll never forget doing it and I didn’t start crying til it faded out…and that lasted days. I also consider it the most beautiful song they wrote.

Stop The World - I hadn’t heard this for years and what a great song it is. I don’t have the CD only the vinyl. It was the B-Side of The Call Up and I think it should have been on the album. Like so many Clash songs it sounds like nothing else they ever recorded.

Shepherds Delight - Just the other day when discussing Sandinista! and the fact I feel it’s got a few songs too many, this would be one of them. Now watch the votes prove me wrong. I actually struggle to find anything to say about this song….Red sky at night?

All The Young Punks…- I can’t ever tire of this, the chords, Joe’s voice, Micks guitar licks, the lyrics, that chorus, the harmonies. Pull it apart and Paul’s bass (or did Mick actually play on this one) and Topper just smacking out a beat. Another track that made you wonder like mad just what it was like to be in a band, a song that convinced me I could never work in a factory. Half a pint of Brown…

Vote early to avoid confusion. Thanks for all your time and visits!

Tim

Good Morning Sinners…well the search continues and thanks for all the voting the last few days. We will get through round one eventually and 4 new Clash songs go before you today. First though a couple of lopsided results.

1-2 Crush On You beat Dictator 36-7

Radio Clash beat Midnight To Stevens 40-8

No major shocks there but was nice to see Midnight To Stevens get a bit of support. I’ve seen a trend where a few people vote in one poll but not the other…is that due to the landslide aspect? Don’t forget the best supported runners up can stay in the cup. So on to the next 4 to ponder, and there are some good ones today!

Sorry, there are no polls available at the moment. Sorry, there are no polls available at the moment.

Member of the Last Gang

The first match is as tough as can be, I hope both get 20+ votes and hopefully both will remain. The second pairing seems a bit less tricky. As always more info and a chance to see or hear the songs is below. Thanks for taking part!

The Prisoner – Few songs performed live had the ferocious energy of The Prisoner and the version I’ve linked just gets my blood zipping (was also the first time it was played live). This was the B-side to White Man in… could you possibly ask for more on a 7″ record? I think not.

The Card Cheat -The Phil Spector wall of sound meets the Clash. The simple explanation being that everything is double tracked. An epic Clash song and another testament to the variation on show throughout London Calling. This song used to make me sad as a teenager….am I alone in that?

The Sound of The Sinners – Poor luck to be matched with the track below. This track does have it’s fans and I confess the lyrics are pretty brilliant. Holds the strange place as being Elvis Costello‘s favourite Clash song, so if you’re visiting the blog Elvis…here’s your chance. Can the Clash do gospel….why bloody not eh?

Last Gang In Town – For variation’s sake I’ve included a demo version that I’ve dug out. It’s slower and more bluesey but still great to hear. One of the better Clash ‘stories in a song’ this was the song that made ‘gangs’ hold a certain appeal to the 13 year old me that never really left to this day.

Any questions? Cheers…Tim

If you are new to the blog – let me explain the Clash Cup. Crap day, I’m licking my wounds more than a bit today, if you are a Man United fan, I wouldn’t trade my clubs style for your success…end of story.. Sometimes being better doesn’t count for much and this is one of those days. Perhaps the same can be said on some of The Clash Cup voting (I jest)….our continued democratic mission to select the best Clash songs of all time. Before moving on to the newest selections we’ve some results to review:

What’s My Name over     The Right Profile 26-10

The Leader over Junkie Slip 19-5

I thought both votes would be a lot closer when I loaded these polls, the support for tracks from London Calling so far has not translated into wins in the cup. The rule of thumb seems to be the earlier the song the more likely it is to progress (not scientific but it is a fact in 10 of 13 results so far where the tracks weren’t from the same album). The Right Profile didn’t even get enough support to make a later appearance as a high vote getter. So onto the next foursome and it’s a good bunch again.

3 tracks that you’ll be very familiar with and potentially 2 that might make the final 32. The voting is open until Monday night – below you can link to audio and I’ll provide my usual extra info and handicapping.

Sorry, there are no polls available at the moment.

Sorry, there are no polls available at the moment.

Drug Stabbing Time – The first Clash song to feature brass (I think) and I also think it’s got a 20 second brilliant introduction. Leads by Joe and backing by Mick on the choruses (that in itself is a reason to love it). I’d like to hear a version without the saxaphone…is there one? It’s also a very Sandy Pearlman impacted song with every second of the audio filled with noise.

Koka Kola - Strummer lead vocals and Mick joining on the chorus, sound familiar? Still love the couplets rhyming decision, precision and indecision and to this day I still find myself driving at night saying ‘neon light sign says it’. Funny how stuff sticks with you. But clocking in at just 1:48 it’s one the shortest most punchy songs the band ever recorded.

Where You Gonna Go (Soweto) – Yes it’s a rough demo and yes it never made an official release but I was thrilled when it turned up on the London Calling Legacy edition. The sound is the missing link between GTER  and LC and as a result needs inclusion.

Hate & War - I love this song…purely and simply. As a 12 year old kid I played this over and over and over. I knew Hate & War years before I read about the 60′s and Peace & Love. I just found this track had the anger I felt and loved the lyrics. Mick Jones sounds so pissed off especially during the closing refrain when you suddenly add Strummer barking out how he feels. This is one song I’d love to see make the final 16 due to my emotional (and lasting) connection to it. Don’t let me down Clash Bloggers! I just played it now…still bloody supreme.

Thanks for your votes – I promise to fill up a link to all the results so far if you wonder if your personal favourites have been selected.

Tim