So that will be the late afternoon sunshine closing down another weekend then Clash fans? Another weekend consigned to the rubbish bin of history and a surprisingly early awareness of the holiday season rushing in. Late December used to mean time off work and John Peel’s festive countdown, now its straddled by the anniversary of the the loss of Joe Strummer and a reminder that we lost John Peel almost exactly two years later in 2004, both events slapped me in the face and said ‘you’re not getting

On stage in Glasgow during the recent Strummerville roadshow

any younger either’.  You may remember about a month ago I wrote this piece wondering where have all the protest singers gone – and while I didn’t suggest that none existed I just wondered why there wasn’t a loud voice or band making a full blown campaign against the overt rubbish that passes for governments and the collective indifference of youth who want more pop and less angst. I was happy to get a very reasonable reply from an artist who says not only are his band writing real protest songs in 2010 but to find them you’d need look no further than the Strummerville roster! I’ve been meaning to write more about other bands in general on the blog which has consistently been one of the best laid plans, but I also think listening to other stuff and better still introducing people to something new is fully in keeping with the legacy of The Clash not to mention interesting to listen to. So I’ll do more in that direction if you’re on board? Chances are if you’re in the UK you’ve seen them on the recent 3 part Strummerville documentary that’s been airing.

The contact was made by Chomsky (of Chomsky All-Stars) who explained that not only do protest songs still exist but that they are at the heart of the music of Chomsky Allstars and after putting some time aside to have a listen he’s entirely right. Rather than try and rewrite history – here’s a reproduction of  the official blurb about the band:

Part financed by the Strummerville charity, Chomsky Allstars’ debut album is a truly eclectic melting pot, featuring vocal cameos from Christy Moore, Drunken Balordi’s Billy King, Bob Marley biographer Chris Salewicz, notorious Scots rapper Eastborn, Noam Chomsky and even Mahatma Gandhi. The Glasgow band’s high-octane constellation of punk, blues, dance and dub has so far seen them feature on the internationally-acclaimed ‘Shatter The Hotel’ CD, headline both the London launch of the album and the Glasgow leg of the ‘Westway Round The UK’ tour and feature in Don Letts‘ ‘Strummerville’ documentary. Guitarist and lead singer Chomsky even provides guest vocals on the opening track of breakbeat legend Cut La Roc’s current album ‘Larger Than Life’, alongside Snow Patrol’s Gary Lightbody. That song, ‘What Love Is’, is also included here. All ten tracks on ‘Rhyme, Treason & Rhythm’ are infused with infectious melodies and inspiring lyrics, from the opening anti-consumerist rocker ‘Disease Of Desire’ and the Afrobeat-inflected World Cup anthem ‘The Beautiful Gain’ through to long-time live favourite ‘The Big I Am’. Acoustic tracks are mixed seamlessly with the gritty eco-blues of ‘Bad Mood Rising’ and the sensual funk of ‘Give Us Peace’ to create a concoction best described as Joe Strummer & The Mescaleros meets Rick Rubin.

But let’s get you current with the band – the new album “Rhyme, Treason and Rhythm” should be available for download on Nov 14th but for the most current information please bookmark the Chomsky Allstars Myspace page where you can hear more songs. Getting back to my original point though, of protest songs and singers. I would encourage you to check out the lyrics to each of the songs currently available online, very notably ‘So Long’ which offers a less than warm farewell to Margaret Thatcher. You can download and listen to the track via this link. The impact of the former prime minister remains a source of great division in the UK and although twenty years have passed since she relinquished power the scars have yet to heal for many of us of a certain vintage. ‘Bad Moon Rising‘ is linked here and is a acerbic look at the BP oil spill. My favourite track that I’ve heard thus far is The Beautiful Gain that is linked in the official blurb above.

I hope that you take some time to give Chomsky Allstars a listen and keep up to date or get in touch with Chomsky via their facebook page as I’m sure he’d love to hear from you. In the weeks and months ahead we’ll look at many artists associated with Strummerville and also profile more new bands that I stumble upon or that you tell me about, especially if they have something to say. Cheers – I’ll speak with you Monday. Tim

Good evening to you, I want to register a complaint about the return of 100f heat to this dusty city. Someone needs to remind whoever is in charge that it is the middle of October and this just isn’t acceptable. I just looked at my feed and there are a host of new articles concerning the .5C/G tour that I’ll need to do a monkey review rating for tonight but before we get to that a couple of other things. First of all don’t forget the Strummerville showcase tour is zipping its way around the UK at present tonight is Manchester (well its taking place as I write this) and there is still Newcastle and London to follow. Its a great chance to see some really good bands for less than the cost of a round of beers and proceeds of course help Strummerville out. To find out more please make sure you visit the link right here and if you managed to get to any of the gigs thus far please write in and share your thoughts. I’d like that!

Speaking of Strummerville I trust many of you found out about the Prince Blanco project last year that was produced for the cause…its an excellent CD (Shatter The Hotel – A Dub Inspired Tribute to Joe Strummer) which you can find out more about here and also download. Prince Blanco doesn’t rest on his laurels though and also plays with Rockers Galore, there’s a nice Clash element running through that as well, have a look at the video below:

Right then, as you’d expect the list of features about Mick and Paul playing in North America continues to grow so I thought I’d get some of those posted for your chance to review with our previously chosen monkey scoring method. As ever I’m more than happy to hear about your experience in seeing Gorillaz, how it felt to see the boys after so long and if you have any special stories that might be enjoyable. Any contributions are welcome 200-1,000 words as you see fit. Email, tweet me or use facebook to get in touch and I’ll get it added to the blog. So here’s what I’ve found…

Simonon in full Clash pose

WeLoveDC.com wrote an excellent summary of two shows (namely those in New Jersey and Virginia) and also included some rather tasty photographs to boot. Full credit to the author Michael Darpino for being a serious Clash fan, but more than that putting together a review that is an entertaining read and captures a good flavour of what sounded to be two more excellent concerts. Two extra interesting points, Michael was also able to see them at the Coachella Festival in the Spring so was in a position to compare how the live experience has evolved since then. He also noted as have many others that a 3rd guitarist is on stage for at least some songs and its worth noting as its none other than Simon Tong, your man from The Verve, very late period Blur and of course The Good, The Bad and The Queen. Perhaps we are more likely to hear ’80′s Life’ than some 80′s Clash before the tour is out? Don’t want to tempt fate but Tong tends to join bands when they are just about to end…..     great review though 4.0 Monkeys

Express Night Out wrote a nice review of the Patriot Centre concert. Not sure what city that is, Patriot, Liberty, Freedom Fighter arena they all run together to a certain extent for me. As for the review that recurring theme of how bloody happy everyone looks on stage keeps popping up….I never saw Paul as much of a smiler (onstage anyway) with The Clash so seeing him grinning a lot is a new concept. Hopefully its a reflection of the sheer joy of playing and what I’m sure makes for an interesting entourage on tour. I wonder if Paul finds the string section cute like I do? Clash bloke fans need something to look at too you know. 3.0 Monkeys

The Philadephia Inquirer pumps out a reasonable if slightly little pedestrian review in that ‘big paper’ way that I find so dull. A few facts, uncomplicated opinions and a little dig (at Blur’s US lack of success and Mark E Smith) but nothing that you probably don’t already know and a bloody stupid simian reference to Albarn. 2.0 Monkeys

The Oakland Press (suburban Detroit) actually does a preview and comes up with some proper writing. Two reasons that make this article worth a read, surely a writer like that deserves a happier fate that living within sniper rifle distance of Detroit? The preview is a curious piece looking at bands who along with Gorillaz blur the line (bollocks, my turn for a puerile pun) between being real bands and created consortia. Think The Monkees et al and you’ll see where the writer is going. It applies of course but its worth remembering that Damon refused a proper tour until they had enough material to support and a fleshed out live band to propel it. The escape from cartoons was right on cue, as recently as 2008 Albarn was evasive as to whether Gorillaz would proceed to a 3rd album and much of this touring lineup were very much a part of the recording process. Yes it’s dance rock but the new album has more songs than the first two that can be stripped down to bass guitar and drums which equates to a rehearsing band. Anyway…go and read that one. 3.5 Monkeys

That should keep you going. Thanks for dropping in tonight and to my dear friend who just moved flats…welcome home and best of luck!

Hello out there in Clash fan land, hope you’ve had a pleasant Saturday wherever you reside. I can’t say that was a very great or normal day, waking up to learn about another significant earthquake (this time in Chile) was followed by tsunami warnings throughout the Pacific – even at the time of writing Japanese coastal towns are fearing what might happen in the next few hours. Then I watched a genuinely exciting football match between my side and Stoke City – a game that was ruined by Aaron Ramsey having his leg literally broken in two by a late (jury is out on the

Will Coachella feature half of The Clash?

intent) tackle from a Stoke mule. Although we went on to win the match, seeing one of your most promising young players with his foot literally hanging off at the wrong angle ruined the entire spectacle of winning. I played football myself later this afternoon and felt very cautious throughout although at a much slower pace of course! Add to that some Clash news and I guess we can wrap things up eh?

This is just at the rumour stage at present but there is a a certain amount of buzz that Mick Jones and Paul Simonon might be playing with Gorillaz at the Coachella festival in Southern California coming soon. If I can find something concrete about that I’ll be sure to let you know. As if The Specials, PIL and others wasn’t enough reason to drive to the middle of nowhere eh?

The charming and very informative Viv Albertine gave a brilliant interview to the Quietus this week. Within it she discusses her return to music in addition to her time with The Slits. She also talks about the early days of The Clash and The Sex Pistols, her relationship with Mick Jones and other key figures in those early years. Don’t forget Viv wasreally close to Sid Vicious, Keith Levene and so many others as she tried to break into such a male dominated scene. She says of Mick:

“Mick had such a thinking, intelligent mind, he wasn’t swayed by the latest wave of thinking or what was trendy. That’s what’s so great about Mick. Yeah. Brain in there”

Here’s an interesting write up on the Canoe.Ca site about the recently released ‘Shatter The Hotel’ project – the dub tribute to the songs of Joe Strummer and The Clash. There is a lot of interesting insight into the making of the album so it is definitely worth a read. I hope you’ve had a chance to purchase/download the album which benefits Strummerville, if not here is the link.

Finally a poll on the MTV site inquires about what might be the best debut albums of all time (and you can vote if you wish), credit to the former music channel (now just basically a big teen wankfest) for mentioning the debut record by The Clash – the results of the poll so far tells you all you need to know about who watches MTV these days.

A fairly rubbish day – but that will all change overnight. Cheers for dropping by.