What a fuzzy Sunday morning, feels like my head was placed in a shoebox all night with a small speaker blaring out a bad mix tape of The Sisters of Mercy, Kraftwerk and some Moby. I’d be satisfied if this were the result of a hangover but no such luck, perhaps I took a Rooney style elbow to the head when playing football yesterday and just forgot about it. Whilst I was playing football yesterday and based on the photo and video evidence submitted it seems Big Audio Dynamite were burning down the house in Shepherds Bush last night. This tour is fast becoming one that might end up being folklore especially if it is the only B.A.D. tour we see, the positive vibes and reviews are raining down and the sense of something positive going on during what, let’s face, it has been a really shit year in terms of other news/events. Part of me wishes there weren’t summer festivals to follow and this return was more like a comet to be enjoyed by those with good timing but I’ll reserve judgment for now. I hope to have a very special guest review of the first London concert for you later so for now I’d like to hand you over to some of our BAD reports from the field.

Also, just hours before the gig our resident London photographic contributor extraordinaire Pete was struggling to get to the Saturday night concert so I wasn’t sure we would have the visual documents of such a great night. Seems that via the brilliant network that are Clash people Pete was met by Don Letts and was able to get access to all the key areas on the night. I’m thrilled about that and the visual evidence is partly on this post but I’ll put together a post today or tomorrow that features just photos from Shepherds Bush.

“”2AM. Post pub, obligatory kebab which are better in Manchester {*CLASHBLOG- Whatever…and you’re also more likely to get it nicked out of your hands} and post Big Audio Dynamite at Shepherds Bush ( which was even better than Liverpool – is this possible?). They are truly superb live. Same set except Other 99 added in as well. Cmon Every Beatbox, The Bottom Line and E=mc2 (and all the rest) highlights. The whole place was absolutely rocking – everyone out their seats up in the gods. This has to be one of the greatest comebacks / reunions / returns / whatevers…..
As for MJ – he doesn’t look funny when he’s 50 – he’s indestructible – remember this and do not try to imitate him!
I never thought I’d be watching all this 25 years on – a big thank you to B.A.D.”

“Great Saturday gig at the Bush. Got myself one of those caps I’ve wanted for 25 years! Excellent selection of songs, something for everyone, will we see Limbo The Law at future gigs? Back again tonight!”

“”Been a Clash fan since the early days and met Joe once after a Mescalero’s gig at HMV Oxford Street when they were promoting their 2nd album. It was a great experience and one that I will treasure all my life. However last night beat that experience. I went to the BAD concert at Shepherds Bush and had tickets for level 1. I was a bit disappointed not to have tickets for the ground floor as I prefer the buzz of the standing section. But am I glad that I had those tickets now. Standing in the bar before the band took the stage I saw Damon Albarn first and then Paul Simonon. I went over to talk to Paul and he was just the nicest guy. I can’t believe how talkative and friendly he was. So humble. Honestly I am still buzzing from the experience. It’s like if I had a dream about meeting him he would have been just like that. Usually in life you expectations are rarely met but last night they were exceeded. I will always love the Clash for what they gave me. That love has just grown 10 fold after last night. As a side note we went to the gig from Edgware Road tube and as I went into the subway it was called Joe Strummer subway…had no idea…amazing…just capped off a fantastic day. And by the way, the band were fantastic”

There’s also been a number of ‘proper’ reviews but I think I’ll compile those later as another post as I’m running out the door now…thanks again for sending in your impressions it’s really appreciated. A special thank you to Pete for the live photographs. Tim

One up…go on West Ham….two nil ahead…come on you irons….half an hour later and its a 2-4 defeat. Such is the glory of my Saturday morning. Friday night was much better though as I took some time to look and listen to some of the uploads from the Big Audio Dynamite concerts that have taken place so far. Being as objective as I can be…I’m bloody impressed. I hope you’ve had a trawl around YouTube yourself already but if not this should be a post you’ll enjoy. Looks like Glasgow had the most tech-heads who were out recording on the night so our focus will be there.

image credit Fishbones Photography on Flickr

I listen to far too much music, I don’t watch television and I work from home so I spend too much time on the desktop or laptop and invariably have some music playing. I still purchase a lot of new bands CDs so I’m often on youtube hearing songs before making my mind up on an album but also looking for live clips. Of course there are lots of bands who just can’t capture it live and/or people who can’t capture very good audio or video due perhaps to the equipment they are using or their distance from the PA. So I went looking for B.A.D. clips expecting to find the usual ropey content that wouldn’t convince me one way or the other about the strength of this reunion tour. I needn’t have worried. Bear in mind this is a band that has been in rehearsals for just three weeks and not worked together since Thatcher was at number ten (not at 23 B). Bloody hell…the sound (due to the equipment/technology) is fuller than it was at any time I saw B.A.D. back in the 80′s – of course Mick isn’t in his late twenties early thirties any longer but no bother, the vocals sound good and Don Letts looks like he has waited twenty years for the chance to be back in front of a live audience. It’s good…it’s danceable, it’s fun and it’s still a mesh of different sounds that sounds of today even though it was written and recorded yesterday. Below are some videos and also some links to the audio clips that are best. My personal favourites are Sightsee MC when Don takes over and in the audio section Rewind is simply brilliant plus the always fantastic Beyond The Pale (that’s what we are…says Mick at the end). Have a look and listen and tell me what you think. Full credits to hkscot in Glasgow for getting these online.

The Battle of All Saints Road, B.A.D. Glasgow

C’mon Every Beatbox, B.A.D. Glasgow

Sightsee MC, B.A.D. Glasgow

As for the audio there’s quite a selection on offer so I’ll just link them all out from Glasgow where the sound quality is best. Please make sure you listen to Beyond The Pale, for my money with Joe’s participation it is the last great Clash song. The audio files were all from Clawhammer82 so thank you Claw..or Hammer if you prefer. It might be easier for you to visit his page? If so try that…

Rush

E=MC2

The Bottom Line

Rewind

Just Play Music

BAD

V Thirteen

Beyond The Pale

Medicine Show

I know that doesn’t make for my most thought provoking post but have fun with it. In a few hours I expect the Shepherd’s Bush concert to be a noisy old riot – if you’re going make some extra noise for those of us that are still sitting in bed, drinking coffee and watching Arsenal….

Hello you lot and thanks for making a return (or first) trip to The Clash Blog. Seems we’ve navigated the waters of another working week and find ourselves on the beautiful tropical island of another weekend, well done and I hope you have a really good one. I know a decent percentage of you will be catching up with Big Audio Dynamite as they very appropriately play in Shepherd’s Bush for their London homecoming gigs. I’m filled with more than a little regret that I can’t be there as yes I’d love to see the show but I think the venue is perfect too. I used to live about a ten minute walk away from the venue down the Goldhawk Road and not that I knew it at the time but 22 Davis Road was only a few hundred yards from where I lived. That address should mean something to you as its the flat where Bernie Rhodes brought Joe Strummer to formally be introduced with Mick and Paul in the early Summer of 1976. Nearly 35 years later and B.A.D. are back on a stage just a short stagger away.

all images copyright Viperslair.co.uk

I’ve heard nothing but great reports from the two intervening concerts in Glasgow and Newcastle from so many sources with some recurring themes, recurring to the point where I think its safe to say they are gospel. There seems to be three themes. The band sound excellent, better than expected and in many cases better than before. Whether that’s down to better technology, heavy rehearsals or a combination of both factors I don’t know. Mick seems incredibly happy and the band are having an excellent time. I honestly think Mick’s joy is because he is humble these days, humble about the recognition for his work and the passion those audiences still hold for him and the music he has written. Playing to large crowds who are really excited must be very warming when you’ve been in ‘the business’ for 35 years, not all of them in the limelight. Thirdly, the crowd are really ‘up for it’ – but of course…we’ve waited a bloody long time.

My thanks to everyone who has sent in accounts of the last two gigs, some of which I’d like to reproduce beneath:

“Glasgow “Where do I start! What an amazing night! Big Audio Dynamite return with a bang. Being to young to ever have saw them originally I wasnt sure what to expect but they did not disappoint. The crowd were amazing from start to finish. When the Good the Bad and the ugly theme tune began and the band appeared the place went wild. BAD appeared and bust into Medicine Show. They looked so glad to be back and Glasgow was glad to have them. Mick was sporting a pair of sunglasses in order to hide the black eye he was sporting as,as he put it “had a bit of a fall”. During Don’s solos the energy he expressed was unbelievable, running and dancing from one end the stage to the other. He even stretched out to shake a few hands.
I cant remember the entire setlist in order but it consisted roughly of: Medicine show, A Party, BAD, Sightsee MC,V13, Cmon every Beatbox, Rewind, Battle of all Saints Rd.
1st Encore E=MC2 and The Bottom Line
2nd Encore- Rush
All in all an amazing night! ”

all images copyright Viperslair.co.uk

“Great turn out at Newcastle Academy saw the lads enter the stage to Blue Monday fading into a bit of Morricone western soundtrack. Brilliant set – like the Liverpool one – some drum sound probs well ironed out by 2nd number. Mick was on fire, loving it and the guitar and singing were as good as I recall from the 10 or so times that I saw them in the 80;s. He played a black custom Telecaster all night – no fancy guitars but plenty of effects bang on cue every time. Great slips into reggae and ragga beats and the place lifted off every time Don took centre stage. You could tell they were loving it and a bit surprised by the roars that went up after every song. Dan was trying out some new sounds and the new technology was definitely well fitted into the BAD sound. Top night and I’d do it all again tonight if I could. Mick Jones is on the road – go and see him do his thing!”

“BAD were totally awesome..unfortunately during a stonking ‘every beatbox’ which for me was the song of the night..a young pup jumped off the bar and sent my camera 20ft across the room.breaking into a hundred bits..but I didn’t care. They were far better than I expected..definitely a bigger guitar sound, totally rocking with Don letts samples..from the first song. Mick seemed so happy, smiling throughout and getting emotional himself as he spotted old faces in crowd..”this is bringing back great memories” he said.We even got a couple of stage runs as he and Don swapped sides whipping the crowd up! WOW.this is harder than I thought!!..
The best thing I can say is DO NOT MISS BAD..for me.better now than the 80s..really!!!.brilliant. Oh..even the Rotten hill gang provided a excellent set..the room full u could see they enjoyed it and played a great set..must check em out a bit”

Thanks again for sending these in, it’s really great for us miles away or unable to afford tickets. Best of all I’m so happy that the feedback has been so positive thus far.

Right then, I talked about the audiences at these shows and yeah perhaps I was wrong in that there were more of the over 40′s than I expected although I do hope a fair cross section of people who weren’t old enough last time round got/will have a chance to see B.A.D. on these dates. I’ve got some video evidence which I’ll get to in the next post. Also just to show that sometimes you can still count on the old cliches how about this terribly parsimonious review of the Glasgow concert by Fiona Shepherd in The Scotsman? Sounds like they might have sent along a journalist who actually liked the band in the first place, miserable cow. Let us then offset that frugal effort with a much warmer review from north of the border from the ‘It’s a xxxx thing’ blog – well worth a read and I fully agree with his comments that the sounds B.A.D. created certainly predated and inspired some key names that followed (read it to see what I mean).

all images copyright Viperslair.co.uk

Anyway let’s finish on a positive note, I hope you’ve enjoyed the images on tonight’s post. Each were taken by Vern at the Liverpool gig who allowed me to reproduce them on the blog, my sincere thanks to him and you can find out more via his site The Viper’s Lair. I’ll spend some time assembling more images and videos over the next 48 hours and then there will be loads more to follow at the weekend as I’m sure we’ll hear plenty from London but first let’s see West Ham and Arsenal secure 3 points each please. Tim