This is all a bit 2009 – but technology has to be respected – so with the assistance of my more modern (read that as younger) friend Brandon, we’re going to bring you Twitter updates of the Phoenix Joe Strummer event. What to expect; short, sharp live updates from the venue followed by beer consumption and a moment or two of weepy retrospective. It needs to be stressed that this is very impressively the 6th annual event in the normally indifferent to live music desert metropolis. That said there are refugees from old punk days on the West Coast, the Midwest (Keith that’s you – Motor City) and elsewhere. The George and Dragon is also the only mock authentic English pub in this city so there a few candidates for extras from Snatch or Lock Stock who may have previously lived on The Isle of Dogs or Milton Keynes, it’s a bit hard to say as everyone goes all Michael Caine with the accent when speaking to local Americans (I don’t include myself in that analysis).

So it is that The G&D hosts the event (I think for the 3rd year running) and now with the addition of a light rail (overground electric train) station right outside the door let’s hope for a good turnout to honour the passing of Joe Strummer. The stage is set and the beers are flowing so I’ll now make this a tweetfest courtesy of Brandon’s phone – I can barely use a phone to make a call but will bow to his texting skills as the feed goes live. We might even get some photos later!!

Oh yeah – it’s a stretch as a link but the owners of the pub are from that lovely port of Ramsgate in Kent which is but a short drive from Dover, the home of Topper Headon. In traditional pub owner style, think The Krays but with less menace. I’ve always been amazed at just how cockney Northern Kent is – but apparently it’s a long standing issue.

We’ll work out which bands covered which songs later on. So with no delay and much nervousness I’ll be on my way and just set the default to be the Twitter Feed (and witty comments to follow later) – Cheers to living memory of Joe Strummer and everyone who made their way out to the event this evening:

TWITTER FEED

930-1030pm

• Finally here… 1st band on… Westway playing on all the tvs
• Lots of tasty geezers here…looks like the New Den  (First and probably not final football/hooligan reference)
• Set break… Coma Girl being spun by the DJ
• Johnny Appleseed… Brill
• Settled in outside @ the George… Ready 4 Newcastle in 8+ hours…   (Brandon is a Middlesbrough supporter….I can explain)

1030-1130pm

• Moving 2 Emperian on Cent in 5wks… Coming 2 grips w/ fact that this’ll b my new drinker   (Moving to new flat, a short drunk stumble from this venue)
• The prisoner lives in Camden Town selling revolution
• Rebel Waltz… Over-deserved love 4 Sandinista!   (A bold effort)
• This Is Radio Clash… Aural ammunition
• TOMMY GUN!!!!!

1130-1230am

• Glass Heroes on early….
• Got a button 4 u T!!!
• Glass Heroes blistering!!

More in the morning….we’ll sort out which band played what and summarise a bit more……

Hello all and welcome back to the blog. Two events coming up on both sides of the Atlantic this Saturday (December 19th) there’s some odd parallels to the two Stummerville events honouring the anniversary of the death of Joe back in 2002 for me that I couldn’t help but notice. The first event is in Cambridge, England which is about 15 miles from where I grew up and the second event starts about 7 hours later here in Phoenix about 10 miles from where I currently live. I like that strange coincidence rather a lot (don’t know why…but if it feels right).

So in Cambridge:

It looks like this will be a brilliant event and I’ve borrowed the text beneath from Strummerville as I think the info will help you go if you are from East Anglia or even fancy a trip out from London for the show.

THE YALLA YALLAS are a fantastic punk rock ‘n’ roll band from Leeds. Their name was carefully and deliberately chosen as a rallying call to unify. “So long liberty, lets forget you didn’t show. Not in my time” a sentiment expressed on an early Joe Strummer recording, one which spurned him on to form The Mescaleros, and one which struck a chord with the band and their audience.. Some members have appeared in other Leeds based punk rock bands The Dead Pets, 3milehigh and The Gushers. Others have built up a solid reputation as solo performers. All of them now share a common goal to bring anthemic mayhem to wherever they play.
http://www.myspace.com/theyallayallas

THE TAGNUTS Cambridge “Gimp-Core” ska punkers are back! After almost a year away The Tagnuts are ready to do it again. This is the hometown night of a UK tour for The Tagnuts that sees them playing across the country. Their unique and energetic live shows have been sadly missed! Good to have you back!!
http://www.myspace.com/thetagnuts

THE TEN-O-SEVENS are real punk rock’n’roll! These four lads combine elements of early punk rock with the sound and attitude of the most obnoxious of garage punk bands. Their songs are fast, loud, nasty, snotty, catchy and sweaty simple chord tight style tunes that will stick to your head like cheap superglue!
http://www.myspace.com/krummylanky

THE DEAD BATTERIES return to the Moon as part of their winter tour with local legends the Tagnuts. They are fast, they have a lot to say, and they say it with venom! Great anarcho punx from Ipswich, don’t miss them!
http://www.myspace.com/thedeadbatteries

There are plenty of great Strummer/Clash related Prizes to be won, as well as the usual stalls selling merchandise and maybe even some late Christmas Prezzies!

Expect punky xmas décor, Last Gang In Town DJ’s playing punk and ska, drink promotions and maybe even a mince pie or two, it’s a Strummerville Benefit and Last Gang Xmas Party/ 6th Birthday all rolled into one! What more could you want for Christmas!!!?

Saturday 19th December
@Man on the Moon, 2 Norfolk Street, Cambridge
£5 adv / £6 door
Doors 7:30pm
Ticket reservations email lastgangintownuk@yahoo.co.uk
http://www.myspace.com/thelastgangintownuk

Meanwhile here in Phoenix, my friend Keith Jackson’s band Glass Heroes are headlining a six band lineup that will be paying respect to Joe and The Clash for the 7th consecutive winter here in the desert. This year each band will perform at least three Strummer/Clash compositions and the DJ between acts always adds to a great night. Lots of prizes and giveaways and all proceeds of course benefit Strummerville. See my previous post for full details – or send me an email.

If you manage to get to either event I hope you have a brilliant time (tell us about it!).

Sorry for my time away and I hope you haven’t made too many visits in vain? I’m committing to Clash fans at least a short post daily through these hectic few weeks and then you can count on the daily updates and full news round up – analysis – interviews and more that you’ve come to expect from the Clash Blog. Works been busy and there was an avalanche of other daft events that left me with little time for the blog. I started the blog with the intention of daily updates and remarkably there is more than enough news to make that worthwhile. So thanks for your patience (if you’re still with me) and I’ll endeavour to make this your Clash spot for a long time to come.

Suddenly the Christmas season is almost upon us – I know it’s a bit taboo to even say the ‘C’ word in the States but I took a big chance and just mentioned it – Christmas…there, I did it again. Speaking of the holidays, if you are in the UK there’s time to get your hands on something very special from Strummerville if you act quickly. Joe’s last ever hand painted Christmas cards are available as a reproduction for a limited time (image beneath).

What could be nicer for any Clash/Strummer fan in your life than this piece of art from Joe? Speaking of Joe Strummer I’ve got a list of Strummerville events to preview over the coming days as this is the month where they typically peak. In addition to major events in London and here in Phoenix there are others too. If you want to be sure yours get mentioned please email me at Tim – @ The Clash Blog.com and include your information. Thanks!

Also on tap for the holidays is the Shatter the Hotel CD (more to follow on this) an events all around the world; London, Berlin, Glasgow, Phoenix, Bologna, Cambridge and Brighton to just name a few. I’ll spotlight each event in the days ahead for you.

If you are in Arizona (anyone?) I hope to meet you at this:

7th Annual Joe Strummer Memorial Gig.
Sat. Dec. 19th @ 8pm.
Where: George & Dragon Pub (Phoenix Az.)
4240 N. Central Ave.85012
Why: Celebration of Joe’s life and Music
Who: 8 damn good bands
How Much: $5.00 donation
8pm till 2am

Finally, I’ve seen better photos of Lily Allen but kudos on her shirt at least!