Well looks like its time again to type some thoughts and welcome you back to the Clash Blog. First time here? We don’t bite and welcome comments and suggestions to help make the site essentially an ongoing fanzine-like resource for all things Clash related. If you are a returning visitor thanks for your time and spending it with me. I still don’t have my Clash license plate…but I did visit the Motor Vehicle place today and they eventually told me not to worry as the computers and thus a cop will know I’m legal. I thought that a brave pronouncement but I guess I’ll need to trust them against my better judgement. Telling a Phoenix cop that a little old lady with a New England accent told me not to worry about my expired (non-Clash!) plate might not wash however, especially as I can’t fool anyone with my bad American accent. Whenever I do it I sound like a radio DJ about to tell you about the weather and introduce some Pearl Jam (yes…that is how all American men sound to my ears).

Speaking of accents I’m on the cusp of purchasing some software that might make my writing and therefore much of my life up to ‘3 times more efficient’, no it’s not more coffee or amphetamines, but new and apparently vastly better voice recognition/dictation software that would allow me to blog just by speaking to my computer. It’s very tempting and under serious consideration as between this blog and others that I write for work I routinely bash out around 10,000 words a week and the thought of time saved is very tempting. I would like a demo of the software first as I’m concerned that my accent might not mesh well with the technology plus I’ll have to go back and fix the incorrect spelling of color, honor, tire every time I write for this blog. Another part of my decision is the fact that I intend to start another personal blog in the near future and the thought of getting free form out in a third of the time would help me no end.  Stay tuned, if you suddenly see posts 2 or 3 times a day you’ll know I’ve taken the plunge. I should also state I’m essentially an advanced hunt and peck typist so although this doesn’t take you long to read it takes me a while to type, if I could just have the page fill as quickly as I speak we’d be in for some real content on this site at last!!

I had sat down with the premise of writing briefly about Joe Strummer’s birthday later this month and also some updates worth checking upon at the Strummerville site. So why I don’t get on with that then? August 21st is the day in question and Joe would have turned 58 this year if he was still with us, which actually rubs some salt into the wound at the thought that he was but 50 when we lost him in 2000. Currently the two notable tribute events that I am aware of are in Sydney and San Francisco though I’m hoping as we get nearer the date we’ll learn of some more things that are going on. (Pete I got your email thank you and I’d love your help/ideas to chronicle the day in London). If you are associated with or aware of an event near wherever you may be please get in touch so that I can share the details with the community. Any city, any country – a celebration of Joe’s life is what is at stake. I’ll furnish more info on the aforementioned events as we get nearer to the date. On the facebook side I’ve invited (but need to remind everyone) of an event scheduled for the 21st where we ask everyone to change their facebook status for the entire day to a Joe quote or lyric of your preference. It would be nice that everyone of your facebook friends knows what you’re up to – so perhaps for example make your status:

“I’m the all night drug prowling wolf”   Joe Strummer’s Birthday Aug 21 , 1952

Please checkout the facebook page for the event via this link, your participation would be really nice. Yes I’ll remind you! Another goal I had for Joe’s Birthday was getting to 1,000 people in our facebook gang and then declaring our independence from the brutal democracies (or otherwise) that we live under. Looks like we’ll make the first goal with days to spare which is exciting to me and thanks everyone for spreading the word. I’m going to then type up some informal announcement about it and ask if the good people at Strummerville could get the information over to Joe’s widow Lucinda. Just an email or something to let her know we are collectively paying a nod to Joe/The Clash on a daily basis if she’d ever like to drop by.

Strummerville was the other point of my incessant rambling this evening as there are a lot of cool updates over on their website that I’d like to encourage you to visit. So in no special order here are some new things on tap:

The end of August always marks the Notting Hill Carnival in London and Strummerville are hosting a special party on Aug 29th at The Inn on The Green during Carnival weekend. For just 5 pounds a wristband lets you see 4 acts from 6pm on the night. Wristbands and full details via the link. The very new Strummerville documentary is set to make its television debut in the UK on Sunday Aug 22nd on SKY Arts. Full details via this link, and while we get far too many channels in the States we don’t get stuff like this in any sort of a timely fashion. Finally a second small plug for a Strummerville act ‘Rum Shebeen’ the video which we featured about a week ago. Both videos from a new double A side single are featured over on the site.

That will be me done for the evening, more tomorrow I’m sure and don’t forget to let me know if you plan something for Aug 21st. Thanks ~

Big news from Clashblog towers…..It’s raining !! Seriously…it’s raining…and at 6pm the temperature is just 82f. I forgot what it felt like to not be hot. It will be back over 100 degrees in 24 hours so allow me a little joy where I can find it. Oh and no my Clash license plate did not arrive if you’re taking notes.

I think this is a good time to tell you our main story later tonight (I plan at least) is long overdue as it features Terry Chimes. The fifth Clash member if you will as he was there at the beginning of The Clash story and again when they needed him most to fill in for Topper admirably and at very short notice. Terry rarely pops up in the press and it’s always nice when he does. His crucial work on the first album and then carrying the sticks for some of the biggest concerts the band ever played should not be overlooked, perhaps more importantly he’s a very nice chap. We’ve only really had 2 prior chances to shine the blog on Terry in our 13+ months so I’m glad to see something fresh. Before I get to that three short things I’d like to make sure you are aware of.

First up a good article following up on the now traveling (New York and Tokyo still to follow) Ray Lowry London Calling exhibition. Fresh from the stay in London that we covered (video on yesterday’s post) in depth it’s now residing in Ray’s part of the world in Lancashire. The requests for opening night tickets were hugely oversubscribed which speaks volumes to the continued interest to all things Clash related essentially everywhere. The exhibition runs until August 7th at the Sea Gallery in Crawshawbooth outside Manchester. Please follow this link to the Lancashire Telegraph’s feature for more inside information.

I’d like to give huge props to Shannon who has supported the blog since we were still wearing nappies, Shannon in addition to being another Clash nut has also began a one person crusade to see Mick Jones’ Rock and Roll Public Library leave the safety of London and hit other ports near and far. Our shared goal of seeing to leave the UK is still up in the air but I’m sure she’s excited to see Mick’s collection head out to Norwich a while back and now is set for Glasgow. Shannon started a facebook group that now numbers close to 400 members (go on..join to push her over the next summit) in her ‘unofficial campaign to see Mick Jones Rock and Roll Library go mobile’. Her continued commitment to this has enabled many more people to be aware of it and see many images from Mick’s stockpile. I won’t steal her thunder but rather share her happiness that Glasgow is next on the agenda, more details via this link - Aug 13,14,15 if you’re taking notes at home and more linked info here also. Speaking of facebook, our own little page has now edged past 900 Clash devotees – please jump on board if you like…people are rather chatty over there! Thanks for all your support.

One more thing if you’re in the UK or close, this weeks NME has a special pull out mini magazine dedicated to The Clash (nice one) which is free with the music weekly. It looks to be one of the shiny special things with a buyers guide, interviews and such. Might be worth your time. Also you can actually get the NME in a digital format now for just a pound a week….not sure that would include the NME Clash thing but still worth looking at – more details via their subscription page.

We’re doing some painting and decorating on the blog so you’ll be seeing a few changes – At the foot of the post if you like the article please consider the ‘like’ option for facebook, you’ll even get to see your name on there afterward. Also I wanted to make it easier for you to scan through older posts – so at the foot of the home page you’ll find a page counter to allow you to flick through up to 15 pages (30 posts) at a time. Currently it should show 213 pages, so if you’re new to the site get tucked in. Thanks for dropping in….Tim

Good morning and thanks for returning to the blog or finding it for the first time as the case might be. Doing a bit of housecleaning around the blog today and thought I’d share what I want to get done over the summer. In addition to The Clash Cup, Clash Landmarks, Clash Shopping, interviews, guest pieces (yes please), Westway Traffic and the other usual daily items I am going to add our first annual readers poll, more features on other bands and based on numerous requests a Clash fan’s guide to London. It seems a lot of people take something of a pilgrimage to London and want to visit numerous locations associated with the band which is rather cool. I can almost relate, except for the fact I grew up in London.

Needless to say I could rattle off the name of 15-20 places worth a visit but I’ll try and put together something far more substantial. I may need your help, so if you want to contribute any first hand journalism to the blog that would help make it even more valuable. The London I know best is up to around the mid 90’s, its changed of course since then so newer reporting would add authenticity. The readers poll will be fun, an informal look at where we stand on all things Clash. It will also help me know what parts of the blog you find most worthwhile/pointless.

I’ll also add a bi-weekly (or so) video clash post where we look at cover versions and other oddities that keep being added to youtube and the other video sites. I also want to review online radio sites and podcasts, the very best way to hear a lot of new music (or excellent old stuff) is online so I’ll dig into that too from time to time. Podcast remains a possibility, is there enough to talk about? Do I have enough to say? It would probably need to be broader than The Clash but still remains under consideration. Most of all the blog exists for you to read…that’s why I started it and why I’ll continue it. If the visits dried up I’m sure I’d do something different but as long as you read it I’ll keep moving forward. The most help you can provide is tweeting it, mentioning it on facebook and telling your friends. There are literally tens of thousands of Clash experts out there and hundreds of thousands of fans. The more who visit the blog and then share with it the better. If you saw The Clash in 1978 you’ll have a unique view, if you saw BAD in 1986 the same applies. Don’t be shy – add comments, ideas, suggestions….the more we can achieve the better!

This blog can and should be Clash City online, that’s been the goal so let’s get to it! Thanks as ever, talk to you soon.

Tim – Clash City Blogger