Joe Strummer with a Pogue

Friday and such…well done and welcome back. Before we get started I wanted to set you with a challenge. Go to the Quietus website – they’ve created a ‘album cover quiz’ but not in your normal style. You get 30 second video clips to watch one bloke try and mime the famed album cover. It was a lot harder than it sounded – I managed to get twelve correct, but it really is a teaser. Wasn’t I just writing about Mick Jones being very keen to lend his time for a good cause…..well he’s at it again.

Seems that Shane MacGowan has enlisted the help of a few mates to record a single to benefit those impacted by the recent earthquake in Haiti. According to this article in the Belfast Telegraph Shane has recruited Glen Matlock, Chrissie Hynde, Primal Scream’s Bobby Gillespie and Mick Jones. There’s even a rumour that Johnny Depp played some guitar on the recording but I imagine they didn’t plug him in. MacGowan flew to London to record his version ‘I Put A Spell On You’ which along with two other songs will form a charity EP for the Irish organisation Concern Worldwide. Nice one! *** This just in….I have video evidence of the gathering ***

You might like this interview with another friend of Mick Jones – the French Algerian musician Rachid Taha who talks about his latest record as well as The Clash and music in general. One of those chaps who breaks down the walls of nationalism he’s always got an interesting point of view. Below you’ll find the video of him performing with Mick Jones in 2006 – a stellar version of Rock El Casbah (How much would Joe like this one!)

Taha has been around as an artist for over 25 years now and I guess when I was a lad he would be categorised under world music, whereas he is just brilliant at blending sounds from all different cultures. Worth investigating if you don’t know him, start here with his myspace page.

“I did ‘Rock el Casbah’ because I like The Clash, and it was my tribute to Joe Strummer,” “It’s extremely pleasant to play with Mick Jones, because he was one of my childhood idols. It’s a dream come true!”

Hope some of you made it to the Shatter the Hotel launch event tonight. Let me know if you did!

Back with more during the weekend….Tim

(John Terry…..ha ha ha ha ha couldn’t happen to a bigger ****)

If you’ve been following the blog lately you’ll know there was a remarkable benefit concert in London for Steve New (Rich Kids) on Thursday night as the band reformed for the first time in 30 years (see the post below). Also on the stage that night were Mick Jones, Tony James, Gary Kemp, Ian Broudie to name just a few. See prior posts for extra information. Thus it came as a lovely surprise to hear directly from one of the artists this afternoon who wanted to share her experiences of that evening.

Yes, Viv Albertine from The Slits who is now back recording and performing her own material wrote in to the Blog, it’s brilliant to see her up on stage again. Viv of course was closely associated with both The Clash and The Sex Pistols in the very earliest days of the London punk scene and then went on to join The Slits in 1977 as their new guitarist. I’d encourage you to visit Viv’s website to see what she’s been up to as 2009 slides into the new decade. So…enough from me I’m thrilled to let Viv explain her perspective of Thursday night:

“I was nervous because I was playing solo, not about the audience but because it would be the first time in 20 years that a lot of my peer group had seen and heard me play.  I didn’t want to be rubbish.

There was a sea of blokes stretching as far as I could see. The ones at the front were quite rowdy.  I like that. I like interacting with the audience.  Doesn’t faze me.

Did my songs, they went well.  Loads of reaction from the crowd and they listened to the words which was nice.  Talked to quite a few people afterwards and they really got what I was on about. I sang a song about not believing in love.  Back in the day it was very uncool to believe in love. The only two people who stood up for love were Mick Jones and Glen Matlock. The songwriters. Mick is a one-off.  He doesn’t dance to anyone else’s tune.

Then Carbon Silicon with Mick Jones and Tony James.  I see Mick occasionally, we still look out for each other.  He is always checking that I am ok.  That I’ve had a soundcheck, watches my show.  He is very supportive.  He has great stage presence, very ‘up’, lively, you can see he just loves playing.

Steve New was whizzing about backstage.  He said ‘this is the most exciting thing ever!’ he couldn’t wait to get on stage. The audience were very warm. Steve looked fragile but such spirit.  To be going through all that with humour, energy, adventurousness.  Something like this tests a person and Steve has shown himself to be strong and resilient, whole.

I felt like I was with a bunch of friends I had been to school with.  A closeness.  Old squabbles forgotten. Best night I’ve had for ages.”

Viv Albertine live on Jan 7 (image courtesy Pete Stevens)

Thank you so much Viv, what can I possibly add to that? I’ve heard from a number of people since the concert and it truly seems something special was in the air on that cold cold evening. Don’t be a stranger to the Clashblog, we’d love to have you back! (Pete – great photo thank you…)

Tim

Good Evening – just a short post tonight but I wanted to share a quick summary from the Rich Kids reunion show last night. I so wish I could have been there as it sounds like it was brilliant on so many levels. The good news? Two friends of the blog (namely Stuart and photographer Pete) were there and have kindly provided a summary of the event and photos to boot! Thanks to the two of you and let me hand it over to Stuart:

Well, what a fantastic night at the Rich Kids bash. You’ll be pleased to know that Carbon Silicon were back with a bang – only four songs – Global War on Culture, The News, Why do men fight and What the fuck. All delivered with fun and energy which reminded me why this band is soooooo SPECIAL . A very special mention for Rusty Egan who guested on drums and was so powerful – highlight being his magnificent performance on the News – wow did he give some welly. An awesome Why do Men fight also deserves a mention – a good old rambling epic – like the old Carbon Silicon days – went on for ages but totally captivating. Other highlights of the evening include Viv Albertine (God she looks good – Oil of Olay adds next surely?) wooing the crowd with “Confesions of a Milf” , Ian Broudie and Glen Matlock with The Illusions belting through Wreckless Eric’s Whole Wide World, Glen again with Patti Palladin leading a singlaong – ohhh so many great moments…… As for the Rich Kids – well what can i say – they played with enormous energy and it was hard to believe they hadn’t been together for 30 odd years. Another special mention for Midge Ure, as his vocals were outstanding. Most enjoyable though was seeing these guys having such a great time – it was quite touching. Encores were A Rousing All or Nothing with the band being joined by Mick TJ and Gary Kemp and having a generally riotous time finishing with an absolutely belting Rich Kids – honestly it was fantastic and I feel so lucky to have been there – God these old punk rockers know how to put on a show, have a laugh , and create a brilliant atmosphere – I’m proud to say thats my kinda music. It was also nice to see Pete the Snapper albeit briefly and I noticed with disappointment the demin quota was at a more manageable level than the Breaking Rocks bash in October – mind you who am i to talk – it was so cold i had a cardigan on under my jacket – so Val Donican jibes my way next time Pete! I’ll try and write this up properly when i get a moment but hopefully this’ll give a bit of an idea – all the best – Stu

Mick Jones looking dapper for 2010. Image Courtesy Peter Stevens

Stu – thank you…that’s a lovely capture of what sounded like a uniquely amazing night. Pete – Thanks as always for doing what you do best! I’ll sort out more photos when we talk….. Stu – I’ve got that breaking rocks article to post soon….

Video clip above and to the right ~ worth a look for a hidden Clash track mixed in there!

Tim