Good morning how goes it? All is well here, got coffee and and the right attitude for the time being. Let’s see how long that lasts. Don’t forget all images on the blog can now be enlarged by clicking on them and as a gallery when applicable. I’m also experimenting with some video walls which seem to be such a memory drain that I’m not sure the site can handle it without a dedicated server. I might go out with cap in hand to add more video. If everyone who visits the blog in a week donated a dollar I’d have enough for a server, hosting, new audio recording software and also a chance to send $2,500 to Strummerville. Hmmm, might set that up for Joe’s Birthday?

Viv in January 2011. Image courtesy MagicCube77 http://www.flickr.com/photos/25880052@N08/

Right then, straight into it. Some time ago we were lucky enough to be graced on the blog by a letter from Viv Albertine (formerly of The Slits) about her experience of getting back on stage with Carbon Silicon, hard to believe that was over eighteen months ago. Here’s the link to that post essentially written by Viv. Viv’s relationship and subsequent friendship with Mick Jones goes all the way back to art college where they met before The Clash came into existence. Then in turn the friendship and support given by each member of The Clash to the emerging Slits was well documented, itself a testament to the close-knit scene that early punk was in London. It’s been exciting to watch Viv reemerge as a solo artist in recent years, a nicer person is difficult to imagine. Here’s a link to Viv’s myspace where you listen to tracks and purchase her most recent album.

Return of the CIA (Clash Influenced Award) merits  an honourable mention in the direction of Boots Riley of The Coup. I like it when hip hop artists are tuned in enough to tip their cap in the direction of The Clash. It reminds me of the eclectic choices that The Clash made when choosing supports acts. This interview with Riley on punknews.org is a good read not least of all because of The Clash mention. Unfortunately as this video shows Bo Diddley wasn’t as enamoured with the chance to open for The Clash as they were with having him guest (and takes a good percentage of the takings by the way). Yes he’s talking more about the PA than the band but it’s a pretty funny interview.

Another CIA while we’re at it. A new book about ‘Rage and Rebellion across the Islamic World’ takes the title ‘Rock the Casbah’. I do hope that Topper Headon gets at least a credit and ideally some royalties; here’s a review of the book in The L.A. Times book section by Wendy Smith. Sounds an interesting read, Rage and Rebellion would make a good album title.

Much more soon including a special event Clash infused event in Cleveland. Yes…Cleveland. Tim

Good evening and welcome to 2011 and back to the blog of course, thanks for dropping in. A fairly cool (in fact bloody chilly) start to 2011 last night as the thermometer dropped into the mid 20′s (F) last night here which might not sound too significant except for the fact that it rarely falls below freezing in Phoenix. I had half a mind to buy a decent jacket today but resisted the urge as it won’t be staying this cold for more than another 48 hours or so. Hope you all had a pleasant New Year’s Eve and got home in one piece – start the year off right and listen to more Clash records and more music in general. I need to put my list of 10 best new CDs of 2010 together this week for posterity but I’d venture to say it was the best year for new music in about 5 or 6 years which must be a good thing eh?

Just easing myself back into daily blogging again and I’ll have many of the usual features in the days ahead but as you’d expect it was a bit of a slow time for news over Christmas with the Gorillaz album (online download only) being the most significant development. I’ve only had time to listen to 3 tracks so far but it’d be too early to have much of an impression but I’ll dig into that this week. According to a ‘tweet’ Paul Simonon and Mick Jones were involved but the source is neither notable by being official or replied to my inquiry for additional information. More on that if I can confirm. Second rumour is that Carbon Silicon will be lining up some UK live dates in the next month or two which sounds more likely than the first rumour.

Looking back at 2010 a sad event we experienced late last year did once again catch my eye this afternoon as the first official celebration of the life of Ari Up (of The Slits) who I’m sure you’ll recall passed away dreadfully young in late October of last year (here’s the link to that story). Interestingly the tribute event is taking place not in London but in New York at The Music Hall of Williamsburg in Brooklyn. It takes place on Jan 16th (her birthday I believe) and features members of The Slits and more. Here’s the link and below is the semi-official blurb

Ari Up Punky Reggae Birthday Party!

Participating artists include original and current members of the Slits, including Tessa Pollitt, Hollie Cook and Neneh Cherry; Bruce Smith of PiL and the Slits, members of the Slackers, Brave New Girl, and Band Droidz, as well as Gary Lucas.

Tickets @ $15 in advance / $20 on the door    -   Doors 7pm Show 8pm    -    Ages 18+

I know there are a lot of readers in New York so I hope some of you might be able to make it along on Sunday the 16th I’ve a feeling it will be a really special night. I’ll get the events calendar updated this week also so if you’ve things to add please contact me via the normal channels – Strummer night in Brighton a week from today -Jan 8- plus another event here in Phoenix one week after that. Keep warm and I’ll be back tomorrow.

Good evening good people, that will be Thursday in the bag then….well done us. A bit of a numbing day today as my last thoughts awake yesterday was the news of the sad death of Ari Up of The Slits at just 48 years of age, I thus woke up with that thought but haven’t had a chance to read more than what I posted last night until sitting down this evening. Three thoughts dominate tonight after reading a little more from various places; firstly in 2010 its easy to downplay the impact of The Slits on a very old school music scene in 1977 and beyond but you really shouldn’t. As an all girl band they were trailblazers for so many who followed and confident enough to learn as they went along.

Ari Up (image courtesy Ann Summa)

They were writing from a new and very feminist place and kicking a lot of rock tradition off the stage as they found their own way. As the vocalist and co-writer Ari was a large part of that, failing to play the demure pop star nor being predictable whether onstage or off. Secondly having read enough from people who knew her either a little or well she was a huge influence and seen as being more unique than even some of the legend makes her out to be, totally a rule unto herself she did what she was passionate about with music and life, which leads me to thought three. Ari had some measure of gypsy blood which I always admire and respect, its easy to be comfortable in your own back garden but trying it out elsewhere takes courage and a little bit of adventure too, born in Germany, raised partly in the UK after The Slits she went on to live in Belize, Indonesia and settled for an extended time in Jamaica to name but three places.

I didn’t learn until this evening that her cause of death was confirmed as being from cancer, which will shut up some of the speculative bastards who posted comments about illegal drugs being the cause at various sites online. Such speculation should cause shame whoever you may be.

Naturally there have been a flurry of obituaries posted all day long and I’d be happy to point you in the direction of the least redundant ones. At times like this I bemoan being a few years too young to have ever seen The Slits live and also a few years too lazy to make the effort following the reformation of the band in 2006. Putting off things like seeing a band like living life itself should not be deferred whenever possible.  Onto some of those stories then….

The Guardian Culture Blog does a nice job capsuling the rise of The Slits and Ari. Esteem indie music site Pitchfork offers a bland almost canned overview with all the passion of a piece of toast. Fortunately LA Weekly writes something far more personal and includes some great video clips too. Rolling Stone offer a nice concise piece with some touching quotes and apparently an exclusive video. The NME pays tribute and includes words from Kate Nash and Johnny Marr. Perhaps the best piece of all is in The Fader including a lengthy interview with Ari talking about the early days of punk in London.

I’ll get back to normal Clash business tomorrow, if you saw The Slits live or have any favourite memories of Ari we’d love to hear from you – leave a comment. Thanks for dropping in.

Just added – LA Times obituary is really very good.