Friday morning at last, it’s been that sort of a week. Funny how the events this week with Billy Bragg sent more than just me into a bit of a frenzy. It’s not every day that 50% of The Clash get together to re-record an old Clash number and better still in this day of online promotion you can get pretty much ‘real time’ access to exactly what’s going on. It reiterates a theme I’ve dwelled on a few times and that is just how much the music industry and media has changed in the 30 years since The Clash were active. In the 70′s and early 80′s the music press held all the cards. If you wanted news you waited for the NME or Trouser Press to be kind enough to share it. If you wanted to hear the songs it was late night sessions on the BBC or perhaps independent radio in the US. When did college radio kick in in the States to help indie music? 1982-3?

If you wanted to see the band wait til they finally toured in your town or city, by the time MTV came along and made music videos the norm The Clash were already close to the end. With all that said I did a quick scan of the reporting about the Jail Guitar Doors event this week and wanted to share some with you:

Consequence of Sound went with the somewhat bold “The Clash reunite, well kind of…”

The Telegraph promised even more as “The Clash Musicians revisit one of their classic tracks”

The New York Times (consistent Clash support) keep it up!

Uncut was more subdued as it just stuck to the details

The Guardian kept up their Clash campaign with a nice “Topper and Mick collaborate on charity single’

The Mirror (wankers) decided to cease the Strummer baiting long enough to fire out a story which was even vaguely accurate!

UKPA announce ‘Clash duo reunite for a Jail Project’

I’m excited on two counts, it shows that the level of interest in the Clash remains high in general which cannot be a bad thing. It also brings a lot of added awareness to the Jail Guitar Doors program specifically and the film just before the release date. Needless to say I hope the Clash Blog will be your preferred source for Clash news but nice to see a story create such a buzz this week. I must get my head down to some work, Clash Cup tonight and some assorted stories this weekend.

Cheers – Tim

Many thanks to Steve Kirk from Night of Treason for providing more photos from the ‘Breaking Rocks’ session with Mick Jones, Topper Headon and Billy Bragg plus ‘graduates’ from the Jail Guitar Doors program. Photos are fairly self explanatory but Steve assured me it was a very special day to see them play together. Billy Bragg’s face looks like how I would look, despite his 25+ years in the business I can still see ‘Clash Fan’ all over his face. Steve assured me it was a priceless time to be present for as Topper arrived first and Billy had to traverse the whole of England to arrive on time.

As for me, I can’t hide the fact that Billy Bragg has had a huge impact on me since I was a teen, and emotionally/politically took the torch from The Clash and carried it through the 80′s, 90′s right up until now. Great images – thanks Steve.

Topper's missing his kit....

Happy looking bunch...

Topper doing what he does best

All images courtesy Steve Kirk

As promised yesterday -- video clip from Breaking Rocks featuring Billy Bragg, Mick Jones and Topper Headon. Billy Bragg has even been kind enough to be in contact with the blog about the project…I’m so chuffed and grateful to Alan Miles, the director.

Legendary Clash members Mick Jones and Topper Headon were reunited in the studio for the first time in 27 years when they joined Billy Bragg for a recording aimed at promoting the folk singers Jail Guitar Doors campaign.