Good Evening, sorry for my Elle rant, but I do feel an elle of a lot better now. I need to bring you a selection of Clash bits from around the net as my inbox and searches keep bring in more than I can relay to you. In addition to my story  yesterday about the Jail Guitar Doors film ‘Breaking Rocks’ making the Raindance Film Festival there is another Clash connection to the film festival. There must be something in the (rain)water?

This Clash relationship flows all the way back to 1975 as the pre-clash Mick Jones ‘project’ London SS auditioned a Kiwi named Patrik Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald didn’t join the inner circle of The Clash but did remain in London for a few years as a ‘gun for hire’ or Punk poet depending on your point of view. His biggest moment was playing Victoria Park during Rock Against Racism (yes, on the stage) so he kept near the Clash shadow. Drop in and read the article – it’s interesting stuff. Oh, the Raindance connection….a film at the festival entitled ‘All The Years of Trying‘.

Staying in the past and more of that pre-clash extended family, John Lydon has announced that Public Image Limited are reforming. Yes it’s been 17 years and perhaps a cynic will see this as little more than a grab for cash by the former Finsbury Park native. My point of view – I’d sooner PiL tried to play some gigs or make another record than see the Sex Pistols go round the houses for the 4th(?) time. It might be my age – or just perspective but I think PiL accomplished a great deal more than the Pistols in real terms.  If nothing else it’ll be a chance for more interviews with Lydon as he still opens his mouth with more than an answer in mind. Stay tuned…

“Younger people at the moment are very mouthy and aggressive, You’re all terrified of your own youth. You’re not allowed to give them a clip around the ear and send them home.”                 John Lydon

Time for some odd trivia (the things you learn when researching). It’s over 15 years since Kurt Cobain died, in 1992 he listed his best 50 albums of all time. Which Clash album made that list? Answers or guesses in the comments section please.

Still not back my popular demand – I know I need these – the 4 piece Clash action figures are still on back order. I’ve written seeking an update but at this time have had no reply. $60 for the set works out to about 15 quid per Clash member but I wonder if a reserve/interchangeable drummer is available? The product description is rather surreal:

Bring home a piece of British punk rock history with these amazing “The Clash” action figures from new music action figure manufacturer, Locoape. This Clash action figure set is part of Locoape’s Icon figure series and includes an action figure of Joe Strummer, Mick Jones, Paul Simonon and Topper Headon. Each 6” Clash action figure features each band member, their respective instrument, accessories, action figure base with “The Clash” logo name plate and one of four randomly inserted “The Clash” action figure back drops. The back drop is inserted in the rear of the base which highlights each Clash action figure for display.

What back drops can they possibly mean? Accessories…? Boggles the mind. I must find out how soon they’ll have thse back in stock as Christmas is just 3.5 months away.

OK – some short ones -

This is great, the ghost of Joe haunting a Chicago record shop Also,  Was Joe really only 5’8 tall? That will make my short-arse brother happy. I’ve noticed The Clash Blog is popular in Spain and I’ve heard from some of you. Can you tell me what this says?

This is fun, a feud between Flaming Lips and Arcade Fire. I like the ones who cover a Clash song and don’t look like an Italian football player – so you figure it out.  Finally the US Top 5 Albums Sep, 1983:  Michael Jackson, The Eurythmics, Hall and Oates, Stevie Nicks, The Clash

I’m done…sorry for lack of Clash Cup….will squeeze two rounds in tomorrow. Happy labour (labor) day if you have a job – wishing you a quick return to work if you don’t.

Sorry, there are no polls available at the moment.

Combine two musicians I’ve held in the highest regard  since I was a kid, add a unique charity that looks to provide postive rehabilitation  to prison inmates via guitars, wrap that up with a documentary exploring the process and what do you have? In this unlikely case you have a film heading to the 2009 Raindance festival.

“Breaking Rocks” is the documentary in question and from a Clash standpoint of course it features performances by Mick Jones and Billy Bragg, along with the project being chaired by Bragg. The Jail Guitar Doors project was always a huge nod to The Clash and paired with Strummerville and was begun in 2007 by Bragg with Mick becoming actively involved since. Strummerville having been actively involved with the making of the film.  Related events are all coming up quite soon so here is a summary of what can be looked forward to:

Jail Guitar Doors documentary “Breaking Rocks” will have it’s World Premiere at The  Raindance Film Festival on Thursday 1st October 2009 at the Proud Galleries, based in Camden. (Site of Rehearsal Rehearsals) The premiere will be followed by a live concert with Billy Bragg, Get Cape. Wear Cape Fly and many special guests. The night will be accompanied by the punky/reggae sound system Radio Clash, who will be looking after the decks on the night.

Full information, map plus poster are here:

“Breaking Rocks” will have it’s cinema debut on Wednesday 28th October 2009 at  The Prince Charles Cinema, just off Leicester Sq, London.The screening will be  followed by a Q&A with Billy Bragg, Alan Miles (director) plus JGD graduates Jonny Neesom & Leon Walker. Tickets here

Other useful links:

Information on director Alan Miles

Official Site for ‘Breaking Rocks’

Jail Guitar Doors site

Proud Galleries

Hello – Saturday and football is back! Arsenal played out a 2-2 draw with….sorry wrong topic…The Clash!! Yes, coffee on hand I’ve got a piece for you to get started with today. A personal account of last Sunday’s JGD event at The Flowerpot in Kentish Town has been kindly forwarded by ‘Lily and Ruby Gange’ more on them in the footer. For now though, over to the the ladies….

Jones Highlights Punk Tribute at the Flowerpot

Not many diehard punk fans can claim to have witnessed music history, but on Sunday 12^th of July the audience at the Flowerpot in Kentish Town were privileged enough to.

Former Clash lead guitarist Mick Jones performed a Clash song for the first time since playing alongside band mate Joe Strummer in London in November 2002. This was one of the final shows prior to  Strummer’s unexpected death a month later. Jones graced the stage for the ecstatic fans to perform “I Fought the Law” alongside featured band Night of Treason at Billy Bragg’s charity project ‘Jail Guitar Doors’.

The charity founded by Bragg himself takes instruments to prisons all over the UK so inmates can express themselves as a creative form of rehabilitation. Participating bands of inmates took to the stage and rocked out at the free all day gig, which was all in all an amazing treat displaying true talent in the Flowerpot’s generous venue.

‘I Fought the Law’ was a taste of good things to come as Mick Jones reappeared in his cousin’s band, Rotten Hill Gang. Though most wouldn’t pick Jones as an experimental/ hip hop kind of musician, Jones provided steady riffs for the animated Rotten Hill Gang’s energetic beats & urban rhyme.

Thanks so much for that account, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a bit jealous.

Billy Bragg has meant to much to me for such a long time also. I hope that JGD along with the all of the  Strummerville projects are on your radar as they really make a difference.

A bit more about the authors, who write a entertaining music/urban blog that you should check out. Two London based music lovers/ sisters who go by the names of Lily and Ruby Gange- a tribute to original Rude Boy Ray Gange of the 1980 film Rude Boy. Since starting up their blog they’ve have been privileged to become friends with Ray Gange himself, who actually reads the blog. It was Ray who invited them Flowerpot Jail Guitar Doors gig, and they shared:

It was out first time meeting Ray in person and we were lucky to hang with him most of the night and chat about everything from family vacations and IKEA (?) to Joe Strummer. Ray also discussed Rude Boy, his days with The Clash and what the film means to him. The JGD gig was fun and we were pleasantly surprised at the diversity of the crowd- young and old, but all friendly faces and general punk fans.  Unfortunately we weren’t able to stay for Billy Bragg’s performance, which must have been amazing.

Thanks again, I’m really thrilled with how the blog is becoming a place for others to contribute as it breaks up the ClashBlogger’s working week a bit. Thanks – and I’m keen to hear from more of you. Loads to come over the next week – some guest interviews, exclusive images and more analysis and debate along with the usual news and updates.

Tim