Hello again welcome back to the blog, feeling a bit more ship-shape today although I still don’t have my voice back properly although no one’s complaining about that funnily enough. I should have another post this evening but I wanted to quickly share some exciting news from Strummerville. It always warms my heart when I see the continued activity from the foundation with Joe’s name on it, this year like last has seen continued strides to sponsor new bands and facilities while simultaneously spreading the word and the work of Joe in so many different places. It’s a pleasure to bring news about Strummerville to you and they also been ever so supportive of the blog itself which is nice.

Right on the back of Joe’s birthday celebrations that were held in support of Strummerville and the Carnival events this past weekend (news to follow I hope) Strummerville have announced a tour featuring three Strummerville bands around the UK for a crazy week in October. The tour is being dubbed “Strummerville Westway round the UK” and will feature Rum Shebeen, The Supernovas and Beans on Toast. Better still unlike so many concerts this won’t cost you too much either with tickets fixed at around five quid it will make for a night out that is affordable and right at the core of what Strummerville are doing. Full details via the Strummerville site in the weeks ahead I’m sure and also on the groovy artwork I’ve enclosed – so if you are in Sheffield, Bristol, Leeds, Glasgow, Manchester, Newcastle and for those living the high life in London entry is free at The Flowerpot in Kentish Town for the final night. Three bands all touring together makes it sound a bit like one of the old Motown revues or perhaps something the Sex Pistols, Richard Hell and The Clash attempted many moons ago, hopefully not as many concerts will be canceled this time round!

I will be back a bit later with new words from Don Letts and some other stuff. Thanks for dropping in – Tim.

The Supernovas – City of Smoke

Good morning from the desert once more. Something actually happened yesterday…it rained…first time in 8 weeks for all of 25 minutes, even the sound was alien but the smell was lovely. We’re heading into the only time of year where I find myself overpowered by a bit of a funk, the incessant heat makes you want to be indoors most of the time (which I don’t like) and lack of football from England doesn’t allow me to divert my attention much. Its when I usually watch all the films I meant to from the last year and tidy up my record collection. The next 4 weeks are oddly very similar to the depths of January and February if you reside somewhere cold, you just get through it. On the plus side I’ve never had to shovel sun or slipped and fell over because it was just too hot.

So, what do we have on the agenda then? First of all a very good rumour and fairly strong, it appears that Mick and Paul will be playing with Gorillaz until later in the year and will therefore be on the US leg of the still unannounced tour. Huge news for those of you in the States who haven’t seen the two play together for the better part of 27 years, I’ve a strong feeling that Clash fans will be driving some huge distances to see them share a stage as who knows when it might happen again. Based on the calendar it will most likely be October and perhaps 10 or 12 cities I would imagine. Interesting interview with John Lydon in the Guardian who doesn’t regurgitate his story about turning down Gorillaz this time, he does however change his earlier goodwill towards Malcolm McLaren following his sad death earlier this year. I know I’m in a minority when I say this and I know I put The Clash on a pedestal (its sorta the point of the blog) but John Lydon over the last 10-15 years is simply annoying for the most part. I understand that’s partly his goal but there seems to be nothing he really treasures and the cynicism does little more than make me hit the mute button when he now speaks. Its probably me, I’ve changed more since 1980 than he has perhaps…or perhaps it goes back to there being some strange rivalry between Clash fans and Pistols fans when I was growing up? I won’t extend it, each time I criticize another act fans of said act seem to find this site quicker than they change the calendar on their wall that still reads 1978. Do read this second interview with The Independent also though, its worthwhile.

Still having trouble with this but hopefully either A/ you read Italian B/ your computer has the needed plug-in to play the interview. Mick Jones was interviewed for Radio 2 in Italy (or something…) but I can’t get the link to work. Check this site, the archive you want is 14/7 on the left under Puntate 2010. Please report back with your success or otherwise to the site, I’d like that very much.

Finally a clip that I’m sure you’ve seen before but few introductions to a live track are as enjoyable as the one beneath. Always puts me in a great mood. Back soon of course, probably this evening….

Hello good people, let’s see how this works out. If this is your first visit to the blog I usually write daily (or so) with Clash related news, updates, opinions and previews of events or reviews. We’re trying something new today simply to allow you to filter through some of many Clash related stories that there isn’t room to cover in depth (or enough thought/time). So welcome to the first installment of Westway Traffic! All the headers are links if you are so inclined.

Green Day Versus The Clash : I know, it hardly sounds like a sensible debate to be having but it’s taking place over on the inconsistent (read messy) format that is last.fm with the heading “Who’s Best – Classic Punk Green Day or The Clash?” The comments are somewhat funny and you’ll not be surprised to see The Clash stroll it. By some margin. Incidentally last.fm is a decent site to set to your favourites and listen away but it’s a messy layout and full of things that might drive you a bit mad.

Clash Shopping: Pick of the day a 7″ single of London Calling signed by the entire band. Looks like an import perhaps Spanish (not quite sure) and was apparently signed by the band during the Bonds Residency. Dealer looks authentic – reserve price a lofty $279.99 which looks keen. Based on the vinyl is this a promo or an acetate? I’d guess the latter.

Album Review – The Future is Unwritten Soundtrack: I’m not a compulsive completist when it comes to the bands I love and although I know I spend too much money on music I still try and be selective. Some of you probably have every Clash/Clash related release imaginable while some of you probably just download what you like. This soundtrack was an interesting mix which matches up in the same patchwork way the the film works and occasionally fails. This review is accurate enough, highs – Joe Strummer’s links from the radio work and Rachid Taha’s cover of Rock The Casbah, lows – a bit of a mess as a concept. Should you own it – probably. Does The Clash Blog own it – no, gave it a miss.

Influenced by The Clash : In an enjoyably candid Q+A  interview, Australian author Gregory Day reveals when he was 12 years old he wanted to be Joe Strummer. Who didn’t Gregory…who didn’t?

Cut The Crap: Tynan’s Anger blog goes on a ramble about the greatest years in music history. Good. 1977 ranks 3rd on the list. Fair enough. Somehow despite this being a site I respect he chatters on about 1977 without once mentioning the debut Clash album. Not acceptable…cut the crap! Add your comments….comments drive change….**addendum, he replied advising it was due to the album coming out in the States in 1979. A bit like World War II starting in ‘41 I guess…

Music You Should Own already: Just a quick note pertaining to a well versed review on Hellbomb of an album that is simply one of the best of its ilk and generation. The Minutemen (as noted in the review) were proclaimed by Joe to be one of the best punk bands ever – and for one album at least- ‘Double Nickels on the Dime’ I’d have to agree. As to why…just check out this review and then track down I think the best of California’s punk exports. SST label too…very nice.

Defintely Maybe, Maybe not: Recently demised Oasis songwriter Noel Gallagher tells the NME he ‘plans to write a book, or a film’ in the near future. Don’t keep us hanging Noel…one or the other mate. The band that wouldn’t go away did finally break up and now we can get the Oliver Stone version. I’ll risk offending here but if The Sex Pistols had plodded along for a decade they would have been Oasis, fitfully trying to recapture what you can only really do properly once.

As a final occasional guest on Westway Traffic I’ll dig out a Clash related video – they may be funny or excellent, dodgy or questionable but ideally something some of you haven’t seen. Tonight…you’ve not seen it before but I hope you can relate.

So that’s the format…do you like it…will it work? Let me know and thanks for reading.

Tim