Good day how is it where you are then? Things are alright here – an extended break from the computer yesterday and another stupid injury playing football in the evening (age or lack of flexibility – not sure which officially is the culprit perhaps both) resulted in me not getting a new post out on the Saturday so I’ll try for one now and one a bit later on. That might be a tad optimistic as it’s already Sunday evening here but I’ll do my best. I’m still getting used to the confirmation of the long rumoured reunion of Big Audio Dynamite which isn’t something I really expected after the band wrapped up. As much as I enjoyed seeing Gorillaz in October it was strange not seeing Mick head to the microphone and sing one of his own compositions – which as a by product made me even happier that I was able to meet him and have a brief chat . Seeing him and not hearing his voice would have been a little bit of an anti-climax.

So just how significant is a reunion and live dates from Big Audio Dynamite? In Clash circles it’s about as good as it can get – we can never see The Clash reform (please tell me they’d never do an INXS and tour with a replacement lead vocalist….right?…no never) nor can we see Joe and The Mescalaros again. So if you look at the this from a Clash timeline and if like me you think the first few B.A.D. albums were about as close to a feeling of the continuation of The Clash as we were ever going to get. Even if you argue that ‘No Joe = No Clash’ that was even taken care of on the second Big Audio Dynamite album where Joe Strummer co-wrote and co-produced, musically I think that may have been the peak of what the band achieved (over the course of an entire album) and not coincidentally Strummer’s involvement meant that the actual creation and development of the songs was as near to The Clash as was ever to happen after 1983. Some have gone as far as to say that “This Is Big Audio Dynamite” was the 6th Clash album but I wouldn’t take the case to that level although it does surely represent a certain element of what Mick would have brought to The Clash if that lineup had remained in place after Combat Rock. Don’t forget that live The Clash were already sampling from movie soundtracks mid song and experimenting in other ways for the Rat Patrol recordings (the original Mick Jones version of what was sliced down for Combat Rock). Speaking for myself I’m still swayed by the sentimentality of where I was in 1985 – I was still pissed off that Mick was kicked out of the band and far more impressed by B.A.D. than Cut The Crap. My ‘loyalty’ (such as it was) stayed with Mick’s band for the remainder of that decade and into the next. While, I don’t think that B.A.D. scaled the same heights as The Clash in terms of overall impact and importance they didn’t fall miserably short. In fact I’d cite them as one of the three best bands from 1985-1989 and certainly the most innovative. The chance to see them again live is exciting though I’m happy to say I was able to see them four times – I am more pleased for those who might not have seen them for the first time – hopefully some of you reading this. I hope it’s the original lineup..I want to meet Don Letts!

The Guardian’s Ben Myers takes it a step further than me though in an article you probably already caught which asked on Friday “Big Audio Dynamite: more pioneering than The Clash?” – a bold question which he then goes on to contest quite effectively within the article. ‘Pioneering’ is an interesting term however, if he asked if Mick’s newer band were ‘more important’ or ‘better’ than The Clash you’d laugh and tell him to jog on. The short answer from me is no but both bands were very ‘pioneering’. Mick Jones was and is ‘pioneering’ so it is only logical the two bands he worked longest with share that distinction. More pioneering though stands up to a better debate, they were certainly more pioneering than the post Sandinista! Clash (with or without Jones) but it is difficult to compare what music needed in 1976/7 versus 1985/6. I think B.A.D. sounded less like any other contemporary bands in the mid 80′s than The Clash did in the 70′s but the truest measurement for me would be long term influence and how well the music lasts. With the exception of the last B.A.D. album I think the whole output stands the test of time well but you really need context to be able to say that. Listen to E=MC2  today and compare it with some of the big hits of the year it came out (Shout by Tears for Fears, Don’t You Forger about Me by Simple Minds) and I think Mick’s song stands up far better 25 years later. Exactly the same thing you’d say about Complete Control or London Calling which represent really different eras. Do read The Guardian piece  though and the comments below….what those who are old enough to remember 1985 recall accurately reminded me that Big Audio Dynamite looked pretty bloody amazing…it was 1985 and punk wasn’t about to happen again and Jones/Letts never pretended it should. Their image spoke of something very new and very different and the music lived up to that. Sampling and loops weren’t as earth shattering as punk’s 3 chord salvos but who’s to say if they were any less innovative? I’ve always wondered just how excellent B.A.D. would have been lyrically if Joe Strummer was the wordsmith but perhaps that would be a pointless question – isn’t the answer simply The Clash?

Big Audio Dynamite – Sightsee M.C. (live)

Just a quick sandwich of a post but mainly because I think it’s really worthwhile. I wanted to point you in the direction of the Guardian today who despite suggesting that its readers vote for the Lib Dems in the last election (thanks so much for that suggestion) and an ongoing campaign for Manchester United to be handed the league title even before matches are played (an annual event for the paper) they offset some of their poorer decisions by remaining strong advocates of The Clash and generally good music on the whole. It’s only in the last decade or so where good music journalism is often likely be found in the pages of some of Britain’s newspapers (okay, the Guardian the Times and the Independent) which for us aging readers has perhaps replaced some of the music weeklies we used to read with such fervent consistency. Be that as it may, it’s good to see the Guardian remaining loyal to its roots namely good music which has something to say.

Today’s article is written by Helienne Lindvall and focuses upon her chance meeting with Joe Strummer on a transatlantic flight just a year before he died. The article then expands upon his legacy and the work that Strummerville began in 2003 and has continued ever since. If you are a regular visitor to the blog then hopefully you’re fully aware of the increasing profile and scope of the work carried out by Strummerville; 2010 has probably been the most active year to date for the charity and the continued commitment to fostering new bands and giving them an opportunity to record and play is surely a fine interpretation of what mattered to the man whose name adorns the organisation. I’m excited to see what they can manage in 2011, hopefully the continuation of raising their profile in North America where the impact of Strummer and The Clash remains strong and perhaps even growing.

I found him unassuming, gentle and passionate. He was incredibly generous with his time and resources – especially considering I was an unknown songwriter he’d just met.                     – Helienne Lindvall on Joe Strummer -

Anyway, as ever my rambling nature is keeping you from the article which is linked here so head on over and have a read. The holidays are coming so if you wanna shop at Strummerville once this year – now would work a treat. Tim

Good afternoon, funny how a 3-1 away win makes the sun shine just a bit brighter. This won’t be a long post so thanks for zipping in to the blog for a quick half pint. I’ve got some overdue housecleaning and promotion to take care of for people who’ve helped make the blog what it is so let me get that done.

The Strummerville ‘Westway Round the UK tour’ kicks off in just over a weeks time so now is a good time to remind you of a chance to see 3 or 4 up and coming bands per night at a very reasonable price with proceeds helping Strummerville. Full information is over at the Strummerville site and they’ve even put together a promotional video (social media giants in the making!), you can now also purchase tickets for every gig at the site and hear sample tracks by the bands being showcased!

Strummerville UK tour video

We’ve been lucky enough to get the inside scoop from Buddy Ascott previously last Summer when he appeared on stage drumming with Mick Jones, Glen Matlock and Steve Diggle at the 100 Club. Talk about an amazing lineup, you can review his account right here on the blog. Buddy has also recently completed a time eclipsing reunion tour with The Chords and has been kind enough to write up his summary of the tour especially for the blog – so look for that in the days ahead.

Speaking of The 100 Club, moves to save it look to be more than a pipe dream a few days after the news broke about the likely demise of the famed club. A great place to keep abreast of the issue and try and help is the facebook campaign that is now more than 11,000 strong. On the same subject I regret that I must say goodbye to being a regular reader of a newspaper I once stood by through the thick and thin. I’ll still read it from time to time but on the back of showing intense dislike for Arsenal, officially endorsing the Lib Dems (perhaps crucially in that last winner free UK general election) they’ve now gone and turned on those who might like to see the 100 Club avoid closure. It pains me to say it but after reading this article,  fuck The Guardian and the fence sitting morality to which it plays off against itself and its readers.

Bootleggers listen up, I don’t usually make time to download and listen to bootlegs (I still seek an expert contributor for the blog on that front…hint hint) but I have to say give this one a go. 23 Tracks of rare edits, demos, outtakes and remixes all on one big download – and the links work! For all but the most hardcore of you there will surely be a few tracks that you’ve yet to hear – so pop on over to the Punk not Profit blog to start downloading.

Finally I confess I sometimes forget to transfer information from the ClashBlog facebook page over to the regular blog so you may already know this but wanted to make sure you all have a chance to take advantage of it. The Big Pink Clash book is currently still sitting in stock at a local bookshop for the ridiculously low price of $6.99 (US) – the original retail was about $45 and it makes for a very nice coffee table book for any Clash fan. As a Clash Blog exclusive I’m willing to purchase a copy, package and ship it you via USPS media mail if you are in the US. I’ll charge standard shipping rates and you’ll get the book within 10 days Here’s the official blurb on the book:

The unique story of the Clash, by the Clash. The Clash were a band like no other. Pioneers of British punk rock, their incendiary gigs, intelligent songwriting, definitive style and passionate idealism caught the spirit of the times and made them a worldwide phenomenon. Rolling Stone magazine declared London Calling one of the greatest albums of all time, their autobiographical documentary Westway to the World won a Grammy, and their music lives on, influencing emerging bands and exciting new audiences today.

This is the first official book to be created by the band. With unprecedented access to the Clash archive, this landmark publication brings together previously unseen material–including tour posters, artwork, and photos of the band at home, on stage, in the studio and on the road–with each member telling it like it was, in their own words.

Secure online payment available via the blog – for more information leave a comment or email me via the usual address Tim(at)theclashblog.com. The things I do for you lot! Next batch will be picked up on Friday so get in touch.

Cheers for now.