Strange day….after spending a nice break in Los Angeles it took coming back to Phoenix to feel an earthquake (or two) earlier this morning. Not a big shake but enough to notice and rattle the cat. Is this Earthquake weather?

Speaking of enough to notice; I’m tired of people sampling/borrowing/lifting music from The Clash unless I’m sure Strummerville or Jones-Headon-Simonon are getting the deserved royalties. Whatever happened to a straight cover version? The Clash themselves were always keen on covers a did a bang up job on a number of them. I Fought The Law being the one that some even assume The Clash wrote -- on that topic it (I Fought…) made this list of the 50 best cover versions ever coming in 9th which is decent, til you see a cover of a Tears for Fears song at number 3. Covering Tears for Fears?? Isn’t that a bit like trying to cook like McDonalds…what’s the point?

Back to my concern….M.I.A. ‘taking’ the melody from Straight To Hell for the song Paper Planes was one thing, however it was a known thing and not presumed or implied. Mathangi “Maya” Arulpragasam (for that is her real name) didn’t hide the fact the song was essentially built around the Clash track saying:

I always took pride in being a little underground — it really is a very unlikely record to cross over -- MIA

Just a little underground

I’m not sure how ‘underground’ it is to take one of the best known Clash songs from their biggest selling album? I would imagine that was why she used the word ‘little’ but I should watch my step as my name is neither as long nor do I have a cool three letter moniker. Maybe she means underground like the Piccadilly line is once you get to Barons Court? She might have done better to pick something from side 5 or 6 on Sandinista! All that said if it makes (and I’m sure it does) a certain percentage of kids who heard that track want to investigate The Clash then that’s a good thing right? Anyway if you somehow missed it -- it’s below and is good, basically as it’s Straight to Hell with a hip hop beat.

My lingering question is do The Clash get paid when it’s out in the open? Music industry lawyers or Mathangi -- feel free to write. Now onto my other less obvious example which was sent to me by a Clash fan in Tokyo. This one is far more subtle as only the intro 12 seconds or so plus briefly at the end demonstrate The Clash theft.

The song in question (to these ears) is The Call Up from Sandinista! A more distinct opening to a song is hard to imagine and the timing and and nuances are essentially exact especially Topper’s little drum roll. Or is just me? The ‘song’ in the middle is dire, pointless and not likely to cause a stir but that’s not the issue. Again did I imagine it? Incidentally here is a brilliant live version.

Try this on for size and let me know:

Sampling is what it is, and in principal if you confess your source I’m alright with it but still not an admirer of the concept. I’m feeling very 42 as I wrote that last sentence!

What's this then?

Two last things -- The 2nd Clash related photo from my L.A. trip is above, can you name it? Also just added this section to the site for a laugh and essentially for stuff too naff to make the actual front page posts.

Tim

Hello everyone, hope you’ve been well? I just got back from 4 well needed and thoroughly enjoyed days of cool breezes off of the Pacific in Los Angeles. Now I’m back in the home inferno (my excuse for using Devils in my title) of Phoenix, like a fool I somehow thought the heat that constitutes a desert summer might slacken during my time away. This didn’t happen, nor was world peace found….silly me.

I have to make a few comments about the city of Angels, despite some of the negative generalisations I still think it’s a tremendous city – a vibrant live music scene – dining that’s top class and scenery I’ll never tire of. Worth mentioning in the charmed environs of coastal inhabitants – recession? What recession?  I also passed a good number of Clash related haunts for old times (and Clash Blogs) sake which I will share in the days ahead. For a start name this one below?

Clash connection?

So what’s been going on the last 4 days? I’m catching up with your votes for the Clash Cup and will post the details tomorrow. Some songs look safe for the late stages, but still a week left to vote. There’s been a number of Clash related items on the wires so I’ll share some of them tonight and then get back to regular posts again tomorrow.

I count myself among those who felt Joe Strummer’s soundtrack to Walker is one of the most overlooked pieces of work he was associated with. If you don’t own it I encourage you to give it a try. Be warned it’s so far removed from most of his work that you must (I repeat must) ensure you listen to it with a very open mind. It’s simply a brilliant disc that captures Joe at his best in terms of span – the music has such flavour and richness I can’t find fault. I write about Walker as I found this article about drummer Steven Mitchell who worked with Joe on the soundtrack. Central Pennsylvania (I kid you not) is where you’ll now find Mitchell, who also worked on the soundtrack to amazing film Tucker. I recall that soundtrack being as brilliant as the film also – see it if you haven’t !

The music press (especially in England) must have lost rude photos that they don’t want the Hold Steady to publish such is their reverence for the band. I must be listening to the wrong tracks as I hear a B-list Springsteen fixation but perhaps that’s my ears playing tricks. What I will add though, and as this article from nj.com confirms their track ‘Constructive Summer‘ is one of the far too few that gives Joe Strummer a proper name drop as follows:

“Raise a toast to St. Joe Strummer/I think he might’ve been our only decent teacher”

I think I should be more open with my sentiments toward the band, so if you can provide recommended listening I’ll give it a try – can’t say fairer than that right? In the interim here’s the track in question linked for your listening pleasure.

Addendum – Jason wrote in to offer:

For the Hold Steady, start with the Separation Sunday album and then go to Boys and Girls in America.Hugely influenced by Springsteen, yes, but B-list, definitely not. See them live if you ever have the chance.

If you haven’t tried lala.com yet – give it a go….pretty bloody amazing. The catalog isn’t perfect but it’s a great improvement on some other sites out there and allows you to play entire albums. Moreover, as I’ll always suggest – it can open you up to some new things that you might want to then purchase – and please do so the artists get the money, or at least some.

There’s a number of other cool news pieces to follow up on over the next few days – so please check back. Til then – cheers

Tim

Hello all – just a quick note to let you know the Clash Blogger (and Bloggette) are taking a few days away from the inferno of Phoenix for the 72f cool of Santa Monica California. I’ll be back with the usual mix of Clash news, views and reviews on Aug 2 – so keep my seat warm.

Santa Monica Pier - Missing you already...

Loads to report when I get back including information on some exclusive interviews for the blog with people closely associated to the Clash camp – and I’ll need your help with questions.

In the meantime please vote for your best Clash songs in the Clash Cup (all information is here) and feel free to email me/leave comments on any breaking news I miss. If you get bored have a look through some of the 85+ posts I’ve added in these opening 5 weeks that you may have missed!

Til then – be lucky, I’m heading to the Gates of The West.

Tim