Saturday night and I should be out seeing the sites but domesticity and a stomach flu keep me on a very short rope. I was explaining the kid’s rhyme ‘Oranges and Lemons’ today (to a child) and found myself getting the words mixed up – all due to Clash City Rockers I expect. I’ve a few things to be getting through tonight so let me cover the off topic matters first. Everton Football Club I must thank for keeping my hopes alive in consecutive weeks and cheers to Amy Williams who won Britain’s first Olympic individual gold medal since 1980! Is it true that Robin Cousins used to listen to Rudie Can’t Fail over and over again on his brand new Sony Walkman back in 1980? Seems such a long time ago…..my excuse is that the UK is severely lacking in mountains and snow (well at least up until the last two winters). On to Clash related matters some time soon…I hear you mumble.

I need a secretary to get through all of these bits and pieces as I just reviewed my list of pending stories. I plan to update the stats on the Global A Go Go page soon also as the US traffic to the blog is now leading the UK by a sizable amount – so I’m going to lay down a challenge to my homeland to catch up! I realise the US has 5 times as many people but The Clash are ours and the blog traffic should reflect this. (this is all a bit tongue in cheek of course).

I feel a bit remiss in failing to spread the word that the Jail Guitar Doors ‘roadshow’ is doing some dates this week and next. All the details are here and there is still time to make it along to Nottingham, Bristol, Southampton, Cardiff and London. Billy Bragg is on the bill and of course a chance to see the film so please show support if the schedule fits. Speaking on Billy Bragg (so long as he keeps talking about The Clash I’ll reciprocate) there was a good article profiling his career and recent activities in The Times.

The Sidebar in Baltimore (downstairs I'm guessing)

Clash fans near Baltimore/Washington (maybe Philadelphia?) need to consider dropping $5 next Saturday night to attend the 3rd annual ‘Night of The Clash’. Seven (!!) bands will be performing Clash cover versions – so there should be something to your taste on the menu. Event takes place at The Sidebar Tavern in Baltimore starting at 5pm (seven bands after all) next Saturday.

Weren’t we just talking about Manic Street Preachers? I thought so…was glad to read about a bit of a battle of principals in Glasgow this week. Seems that Manic Street Preachers Nicky Wire had a good old go at the bloated carcass that is Radiohead. Bad words were exchanged and the whole nasty event has reached the music press. At the heart of the issue is downloading killing music (you know where I stand) and Wire accused Radiohead of only being bold enough to offer free or near free downloads after they became multi-millionaires. I must say he has a point when you think about it. Things simmered until MSP performed during which Nicky Wire said this of Ed from Radiohead (I’ll have to censor the ‘c’ word…probably the only word I won’t put on the blog….and I don’t mean country music although the first syllable is the same)

“Apparently Ed O’Brien called me a wanker, I’m really fucking scared, go back to your boarding school you ****!”

Full details are on the NME. Worth noting this a festival of bands that had previously played there marked the 20th anniversary of the famed King Tut’s in Glasgow. This made my radar because the owner was interviewed by the BBC and he was asked what was the best over gig at the venue, naturally he had the sense to say Joe Strummer and The Mescaleros in 1999. Link to that story right here. I need a rumour confirmed or denied and I know someone will know the answer (ideally someone reading this). Did Mick Jones really appear on The Damned’s Machine Gun Etiquette as an uncredited vocalist? If so what track? I thank you. Finally for now please read this article from the wonderful Quietus about some quotes attributed to John Lydon. I’m not someone to downplay the importance of the Sex Pistols and PIL but the jury is out on where Lydon resides today (and I don’t mean Los Angeles). He just seems to have morphed into something that is 50% parody and 50% confused, it would be nice to see some of the earlier (music based) output from Lydon – failing that get an agent who ensures you get better press.

Right…that’s me out for now, more tomorrow and thanks for visiting.

A wolf moon tonight….very nice indeed it is too. If you read this tomorrow (Saturday) you’ll wish you had noticed the moon last night, a killing moon indeed. So what is on the agenda tonight then? The Clash Cup – you have been very patient with me on this and I’ve got a semblance of a schedule back so I’m committing to at least two ‘ties’ per week – round two will begin Sunday. If you’re a newer visitor to the blog we whiled away many hours on the blog last Autumn trying to the best Clash songs of all time. It’s all good fun so do come and participate – we need your votes. I thought Sunday would be a good day as dependent on how a certain football match goes earlier that day I’ll be either elated or morose, so be gentle if need be.

A Cuban in London is a great title for a blog and its also home to a post that I suggest you have a look at. The subject matter is The Clash and the theme of the posts are ‘killer opening songs’ (if he’s in London they should be ‘brilliant opening songs’ but I digress). I’m tempted to agree with his choice – does any album kick off with a better opening track than London Calling from the double album of the same name? I can’t think of any album that opens with a song that sets the stage quite as emphatically, it acts as a call to arms, a warning and a statement of intent – all at the same time. It has everything you want in a Clash song, Joe sounding as fixated as at any time, guitar that chops you in half and Paul with a bassline that should be forever taught in school. Weaving all that magic together was Topper on drums truly making the song a siren to the new decade that was about to begin. It’s a great question – is there a better opening track on any album – the only thing that I think sets up the album to follow with comparable lustre is Joyriders by Pulp which slowly teases you into the world of Jarvis Cocker and the detached brilliance of His ‘n’ Hers their 1994 masterpiece. I’d love to hear your suggestions…

When I think of early English punk  besides The Clash I always associate it with one band above all the other contenders. We all have our own choices and for many its The Sex Pistols, or The Damned (I’d guess they would make the big 3 list for most people) but for myself it would be Buzzcocks. I also think in addition to the Clash the band that most influenced what music I liked most from 1979 onwards would again be Manchester’s entry to the best of British punk. If you have any gaps in your record collection I recommend without reservation that you take advantage of what Mute Records are doing next month! Each of the first three Buzzcocks albums are being reissued as special two disc editions – the amount of extra tracks from John Peel Sessions / Demos / Singles & B-Sides plus live tracks is beyond fantastic. I can’t wait for these and will be replacing my well worn early CDs which in turn replaced my well knackered vinyl. If you don’t purchase any other reissues this year please give these a try. Also, the only live show I show for them in the States this year is next month in Orange County.

Well off track but worthy – a friend of mine runs a site where comic artists (comic book art) sell their private pieces and its more affordable than you’d imagine. If you have a friend, kid, or relative who would appreciate some exclusive art – they are currently holding a special auction of pieces where all proceeds benefit Haiti. Better still he has managed to get his company to match the bids…so have a look here for the details. Thanks. (The auction closes soon..but email me or him if interested).

Finally – sent in a link to a Rancid video (The cover of “Cheat”) via the comments section the other night – in case you missed it I’ve added it below. The first part of the video is what you want to wathc with Joe Strummer giving us all a message.

Cheers all

Good Evening all…its absolutely chucking it down with rain here tonight which isn’t really big news except when you live in the desert just hearing it bashing against the windows is rather novel in itself. As for the way people drive when it rains here, the only word to come to mind is pathetic.

I’ve a few quick things that you might enjoy tonight and its mostly point and click which will make life a lot easier for you (and is helpful to me as I’m a bit short on time tonight) but I will try and post something a little more meaty later tonight or tomorrow. I do want to always try and get a new posting of some length out daily as it creates some consistency for you very kind people who visit the site and I do appreciate your loyalty. I’m also sure the occasional break from my pontifications must be like the relief of rain in the desert for some of you…so lets jump right in.

Steve Jones

Former Sex Pistol and current Los Angeles resident and (now) online DJ Steve Jones appeared on Craig Ferguson late last night. To my pleasure I saw that his interview was already online and I’ve posted it beneath. Craig Ferguson??…yes that Craig Ferguson, if you are the UK you may well remember Ferguson for his (typically drunk) stand up comedy which was really good and quite popular back in the 80’s and early 90’s. Craig has appeared on sit-coms in the US (and a few films) but started hosting a late night chat show in 2007 which is slowly and surely gaining quite a small foothold and some loyal fans in its late night slot. Ferguson does a good job, far less scripted than some of his US counterparts he still lets things run very loose and his monologues tend to run all over the place. He’s also a good host never seeming to fawn over stars as much as try and get them to relax and have a good laugh. He loves music and often has some great guests on the show.

Anyway…Steve Jones. See the video below but the chat was short but enjoyable. If you’re in Los Angeles or know your way around the web you may well have happened upon ‘Jonesy’s Jukebox’ which is his radio show. He was on the show for the interview but also to play live with Hot Rats. Hot Rats are one half of Supergrass (best band ever from Oxford, bugger off Radiohead) and they’ve put out an album of Supergrass(ish) cover versions including the Sex Pistols EMI – which is the 2nd video beneath.

Interview with Steve Jones

Playing live with Hot Rats

A thought I’ve had but I’m not sure yet. Clash memorabilia seems to be a growing concern and of huge interest to many people. So I’m thinking of either doing a feature about rare stuff every week or two or perhaps (and maybe more enjoyable) creating a buyers/sellers board on the site. For

Not talking with the Taxman....

Clash fans and by Clash fans. Can this work….do you indeed care?

Finally and I do intend to write more about this – have you been following Billy Bragg and his argument over bonuses to Royal Bank of Scotland wankers executives? Bragg has been all over the press and radio explaining his position and being labeled an anarchist for his troubles. Good luck to you Billy, this hasn’t played out yet but I do want to revisit it later this week. You don’t see that from Wilco do you?

More soon everyone…(The Specials at Coachella?? I’m feeling 14 again…)