Good evening, just the 113f for a high temperature here today then. I’m not best pleased. I hope your weekend is going well wherever you may be and as this a holiday weekend here we’re unofficially saying goodbye to the the summer which when you live here is actually a good thing as we soon head into 8 or 9 months of great weather and I need it to break soon so I can get outside.

I don’t know if you collect art, I’ve always wanted to but never had the cash really. If I did I’m sure it would be dominated by music (Clash) related pieces and I would be more than happy to begin with the item featured in today’s post. (hint…hint – just in case you’ve got money burning a hole in your pocket I’d happily furnish you with my address and promise to treat this with tender loving care). I wrote the other day that you just can’t compare CDs for the artwork you used to get with albums or singles. The Clash in my own opinion had some of the best covers of that era although there was a period of time from about 1977-1984 when artwork was often so good I ended up with some pretty crap records (especially singles) on the strength of the sleeve art alone. I’m sure (I hope) I’m not alone in that. There was also the risk that when you went to purchase a 7″ single that it might be in it’s second print run and in a plain white paper sleeve which was always a huge anti-climax and usually left you wondering if it was worth waiting for a new print with proper artwork and go without the record for a while or take the less inspiring cover. Gladly that difficult decision did not apply to albums. Amongst the many great sleeves on Clash singles was the fairly simple but extremely effective cover of what may have also been their greatest ever single ‘(White Man) In Hammersmith Palais’. The stark and bold sleeve left almost as much of an impression as the brilliant song contained therein and was designed by the (still yet to become famous) Nick Egan. If you take a look at the albums, merchandising and videos he was involved in after punk and his initial work with The Clash, The Sex Pistols and The Ramones you have quite the resume. I guess it shouldn’t surprise me that talent of this nature creates the same demand as a great producer but there you have it. Incidentally he also designed the sleeve for ‘Tommy Gun’ which is one of my favourite Clash sleeves, as much for the colours as anything else.

You can find out more about Nick Egan on his official site, he did some amazing work at the height of my record buying years and as such I’m embarrassed that his name wasn’t already familiar to me.

As usual I’ve gone off track, back to the artwork in question – it’s a giant sized sleeve for ‘(White Man) In….’ reproduced to perfect but measuring almost four times the original size of the single at 27″ (68cm) square. From what I can tell the piece of art is in three pieces with the sleeve (in canvas) and the record within plus the reproduced label, better still just like the original single you can select the sleeve to be in blue, green, pink or yellow. I own the green and always wanted the pink. Each piece is signed and numbered by the artist Morgan Howell and while it’s not cheap at £380 it is in my opinion unquestionably cool. The company that manufactures and distributes these is called SuperSizeArt.com and they offer a limited selection of sleeves including The Specials ‘Gangsters’ and some other cool stuff. Here’s the link if you fancy purchasing one for your loved one or even your Clash Blogger. I’ll be back soon. Tim

Oh…nearly forgot to mention – we passed a landmark last night with our 600’000 ever visitor to the blog. Thank you all so much! Since starting the blog in June 2009 and adding over 750 posts I never imagined there would be so many visits. Thanks again and keep spreading the word and sharing the blog. Cheers!

Hello again, thanks for stumbling through the smoke filled streets of London and finding your way back to The Clash Blog. Unless you live in a cave or don’t watch the news you’ve probably noticed that sporadic violence, arson and looting has consumed different parts of London at an accelerated rate for the last 3 days. I’ll be the first to say that from 5,000 miles away I’m not well positioned to know exactly what is going on. I do know this though, much of what is happening isn’t taking on the definition nor cause of urban rioting seen in the UK in the 1980′s. This seems to be far more opportunistic and based around looting, although the root causes might be caused by political decisions this isn’t protesting – growing from some organised statement against the government. Moreover stealing Wii consoles and new trainers doesn’t send a message to parliament. The media will leap all over the chaos and the ‘mob’ is already the catchphrase of the day but when the smoke (hopefully soon) clears the root causes won’t be examined – only how to react to what looks like it has been three days of fucking nightmarish conditions. So it goes. I do think there’s plenty that is wrong and to be angry about but I don’t see this as even the beginning stages of a solution.

I don’t wish to glorify some of the protests, marches and what turned into riots I myself attended 15-25 years ago but I feel I should, not because of me but because of the premise. I do know that there was some unity behind those causes and smashing into shops and stealing coupled with arson wasn’t on the agenda. Telling the government they were getting things wrong was at the heart of it. This is very different, but again just my opinion.

Is anyone genuinely surprised by any of this? The underlying facts are that we are in a very similar trough as we were in 1981 but the reaction is quite different in my opinion.

As for the arson, something needs to give tomorrow or else some poor sod living in a flat above a shop is surely going to die. That’s a grim but realistic expectation.

I’ve seen the word clash and the songs of The Clash quoted like mad around the broadcast media, social media and Facebook. I’ve even been guilty of it myself. I’m questioning the logic though, I think these events were entirely predictable with the austerity measures that have been taken. ‘I Predict a Riot’ wasn’t exactly a bold statement. The risk of such violence since the recent changes in the UK were well documented. Whether it’s about opportunism or greed from the reduced lack of ability to ‘have’ I just can’t be sure. I don’t think it relates to the boredom of 1976 nor the riots in Notting Hill at the carnival that summer.

This isn't your Don Letts moment mate...

Does it make the music and lyrics of The Clash suddenly more relevant again then? No more so than a month ago I’d argue. The issues faced by Londoners and millions elsewhere haven’t really changed but the reactions certainly seemed to have done so. Will this be the first of many bad nights in different European cities, to suggest as much ignores Athens. Then again even to overplay it is to ignore what has been happening in Syria over the last week. More than 2,000 have died in those exchanges. Makes London look like kids playing at arson and window smashers to some extent.

I’d be heartened if I felt these were genuinely political statements such as the student protests. A statement was made, even if the desired changes weren’t resultant. I think that relates far more to the ethos of The Clash than the last three days. I could be wrong of course, this could be the continued implosion many expect for the systems that are in place. In reality though it looks to be mostly about grabbing trainers and laptops for free. Consumer culture gone mad with instant gratification being at the top of the agenda.

While many will continue to use The Clash as the backing track to these images I think the lyrics rather than just the titles should definitely be considered. Joe Strummer wasn’t saying go and steal some mobile phones and when you’re done torch the shop. Whilst it’s convenient to borrow London’s Burning and White Riot as titles I think a certain song by The Sex Pistols might be more apt. Though it’s more like isolated anarchy.

I love London, I miss it deeply and I hate seeing many neighbourhoods where I used to live or frequent being destroyed when the result will be quite the opposite of what many would like to see. These won’t drive change, not good change anyway.

Who knows if I’m right and please feel free to disagree but I think London’s Burning is about as appropriate to this as the misuse of Rock The Casbah during the Gulf War. Strangely I ranted last week about things coming to a head and a change being needed, by which I didn’t mean drilling a nail through your own foot – are you listening Tottenham, Peckham, Enfield, Ealing(?), Camden Town, Croydon and so on. If you really want to get involved improve your neighbourhood and vote out those who don’t share your concerns.

I had planned to write about B.A.D. in Minneapolis last night this evening but this got in the way. Feel free to tell me I’m wrong however, I’ve had very mixed feelings the last few days. I don’t think it’s extremely punk to smash up The Body Shop (although Starbucks gets nearer to the mark). Punk Rock is opening a club for the disaffected youth to come and hang out and create something. I just don’t think the bloke pictured above is the new Don Letts. Tim

Now this song on the other hand is about riots

Welcome to Friday, especially good news after what was a short week for me but I still welcomed in the weekend with open arms. Hope all is well on your corner of the planet too. You might remember I was contemplating getting tickets to see The Psychedelic Furs and Tom Tom Club for old times sake next month. Today I found out the price of the tickets – a remarkable $57.50 per person. For $57.50 I’d want Richard Butler to buy me a few pints and let me jump on stage to sing Sister Europe. Still, I find myself in a tricky position as the Clash Bloggette really wants to go. Due to her age I get the feeling that the Furs might have been The Clash for her generation. A good band I’ll agree but a tough stretch to make that comparison.

Don Letts checking in (thanks Brenda!!)

So another day and another triumphant Big Audio Dynamite concert last night in Philadelphia by all accounts, in keeping with New York and Boston the previous two evenings. As it happens we also had a fair few Clash Blog regulars at the show in Philadelphia so I have a surplus of photographs and a video to share with you later. My favourite photo of all was courtesy of Brenda who was able to spend some time with Mick and Don last night and Don Letts was handed the piece of paper that you see to the left greeting Clash Blog readers. How bloody great is that? Thanks Brenda and thanks to Don for being game! I’m sure he was bemused but very nice of him all the same. Mick was given the same prop but managed to lose it – so that’s the task I set the rest of you – to hand Mick Jones a written message to the blog that he can hold up and get his picture snapped for blog readers. Over to you on that.

I love posts like this as the bulk of what needs to be said about last night is done via the photographs (courtesy of Jen and Brenda) and the same two aforementioned ladies who also put together a quick summary of the night’s events. Over to Brenda first – and thank you both for documenting what sounded like an exceptional evening and then spending the time to write the following:

(Brenda) – “Well that was an extremely great show. spectacular, tighter than ever, shimmering textures, gorgeous harmonies, tons of energy from Mick & Davo’s dancing & raging dual guitars, Don Letts has blossomed into a great presence, he’s all over the stage. the new songs were great , well received and the whole audience sang along on key for ‘Rush’ , the encore. I don’t know if it could have been better. As usual, no one is nicer to fans than Big Audio Dynamite.”

(Jen) – Last night I was lucky enough to see Big Audio Dynamite at the Electric Factory in Philadelphia. Aside from meeting a lot of awesome people, as well as the band, we were treated to an amazing show. The set list was great, and the band sounded so tight it was hard to believe they’ve only just started playing shows together again after such a long hiatus. Everyone on stage seemed excited to be performing again, with Mick joking and laughing with the crowd between songs. After the show the band came out and signed autographs for the crowd that had gathered by the bus. All in all it was a phenomenal show, and with the debut of a new song I can only hope that we’ll be hearing more from Big Audio Dynamite soon.

Setlist: Medicine Show, V. Thirteen ,A Party, BAD, Rob Peter Pay Paul, Just Play Music, Sightsee M.C., Everybody Needs A Holiday, C’mon Every Beatbox, The Battle Of All Saints Road, Rewind Encore: The Bottom Line, E=MC2 Encore 2: Rush

That plus all the photos should keep you busy, if I uploaded them correctly you should be able to click on one and get it enlarged the click through. I’ll be back with a video capture from last night from another Clash amigo. Thanks for dropping in. Oh, wait, before I forget to mention it (and if you live in the right part of the world) Stiff Little Fingers just announced a short tour of the East/Northeast part of the States: full details below and (s00n) via this link - please go and see them. They are playing in Maine! Nobody plays in Maine. Talk to you later, please share the blog via twitter, facebook, comments and all the usual stuff.

10-Sep SAT Bangor, ME Bangor Waterfront
11-Sep SUN Altamont, NY Altamont Fairgrounds
12-Sep MON Pittsburgh, PA Trib Total Media Amph.
13-Sep TUE Columbus, OH LC Pavilion
15-Sep THU Portsmouth, VA Ntelos Pavilion
17-Sep SAT Rochester, NY Armory
18-Sep SUN Philadelphia, PA Electric Factory Lot

First two in the section below are from Brenda (the tattooed lady is not Brenda) and the rest are from Jen. Please join me in thanking them both.