The Clash
The Clash Live at Chateau Neuf, Oslo , Norway - May 21, 1980
Country of origin	London , England United Kingdom
Genres	Punk rock
Years active	1976 - 1985
Labels	CBS Records
Website	http://www.theclashonline.com
Former members	Joe Strummer Mick Jones Paul Simonon Keith Levene Terry Chimes Topper Headon Nick Sheppard Pete Howard Vince White

The Clash and punk rock British. He began his career in 1976 and disbanded in 1985. In 2003 , training between the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame .

His most important personalities are Joe Strummer and Mick Jones , both on guitar and vocals, and bassist Paul Simonon. His style, attached to the punk movement , is primarily a rock protest texts whose importance is paramount . This is a group which is also characterized by its ability to integrate his music sounds different, drawing from the source of the musical roots of its members, including the punk , the rock , the rockabilly , the reggae , the ska or the dub ^, . Thus, The Clash is one of the first white groups to assimilate reggae (cover of Police & Thieves by Junior Murvin on their first album and their composition (White Man) In Hammersmith Palais in 1979 ).

Mick Jones , a founder of the group.

Training and British success (1976-1978)

Origins of the group

Initially composed of Joe Strummer , Mick Jones , Paul Simonon , Keith Levene and Terry Chimes (credited, with a pun on their first LP as "Tory Crimes"), The Clash formed in Ladbroke Grove (suburb west of London ) in 1976 , at the time of the first wave of punk Britain.

After the failure of their brief punk provocateur on behalf of London SS with Tony James (Future Generation X ), Jones and Simonon Joe Strummer begin recruiting on the advice of their manager Bernie Rhodes while saying it "provides but that his group is shit " ^, .

Joe Strummer , one of the founders of the group.

Strummer, whose real name John Graham Mellor ^, , is then slightly older than them and the singer 101'ers , a group of pub rock rising to fame. After two days of reflection , he accepts, seduced by power and potential of this new musical movement, including a concert Sex Pistols just give him a taste .

For his part, Keith Levene (who later will integrate Public Image Limited ) is a friend of Mick Jones. He participated as a guitarist and composer in the group.

"The youth, after all, is not a permanent condition and a clash of generations is not as dangerous, basically for the government that would be a clash between rulers and ruled. . This sentence inserted at the back of the cover of The Clash by Sebastian Conran summarizes the deeper meaning of the name of the group found by Paul Simonon, Terry Chimes soon after had been recruited. Having noted that the word is repeated regularly in the newspaper Evening Standard , Paul Simonon decided to propose to the other members who agree .

Early on the English stage

On 4 July 1976 , the Clash are part of the Sex Pistols in Sheffield. They interpret Janie Jones, London's Burning and 1977, showing a taste for punk style at the expense of the diversity of melodies. This site, Charles Shaar Murray, journalist New Musical Express , wrote later in his review: "The Clash are the kind of garage band who should quickly return to their garage, preferably with the door closed and the engine . " . The group's smart answer to this attack by calling Garageland .

In the fall, they signed to CBS Records. Keith Levene was fired in early September for lack of work and does not record the first album although it is credited.

Terry Chimes left the band in late November of that year, briefly replaced by Rob Harper for the Anarchy Tour in December 1976, but returned for the group recording their first album.

They released the single White Riot / 1977 and the album in 1977. The success was quickly go to the United Kingdom. But CBS does not release this album in the U.S. , awaiting 1979 to release a modified version (redacted the title I'm So Bored With The USA) after he had been the biggest selling import of all time a British group.

Following the release of their debut album The Clash , Chimes left amicably but definitely of the group, because of different staff members with key .

The album gets a great reception and is ranked number 12 best selling its output . In issue 9 of Sniffin 'Glue , Mark Perry , who has yet criticized the group for signing with CBS, is enthusiastic. He wrote in his column: "The Clash album is like a mirror. It reflects all the shit. He shows us the truth. For me it's the most important album ever released. "

After a period of testing with different drummers, the choice finally stops at Nicholas Bowen Headon, nicknamed "Topper" Headon by the group because of its resemblance to a cartoon monkey. Gifted, Topper will even nicknamed "The Human Drum Machine" by the producer of Give 'Em Enough Rope , Sandy Pearlman, with his impeccable timing and qualities . This musician has a gift for the battery has actually planned to stay only briefly in the group, the time for him to gain a reputation before moving to a better group. But, facing the potential of the group, he changed his plans and decided to stay.

Initially, members of The Clash are known for their political vision of leftist vehement characteristics and their clothes, painted themselves in the style "splashes" of Jackson Pollock and bearing revolutionary slogans such as "Sten Guns in Knightsbridge" "Under Heavy Manners", "Heavy Discipline". During the year 1977, Strummer and Jones encounter trouble with the police for a series of petty crimes ranging from petty vandalism to theft , while Simonon and Headon were briefly arrested for shooting at pigeons with guns compressed air from the roof of their recording studio. This last story is also the inspiration for the song Guns On The Roof ( 1978 ).

Successful American (1978-1982)

Paul Simonon in 1991

The band's second album, produced by Sandy Pearlman and entitled Give 'Em Enough Rope , was the first of which is credited Headon on all titles. It was released in 1978 and achieved second place in the UK charts , although he fails to finish in the Top 100 in U.S. . In the UK , he was greeted with disappointment by many critics, who accuse production too "polished" and smooth compared to the excitement gross debut album. However, it is still well received by the British public and allows them to get his first hit, Tommy Gun .

Give 'Em Enough Rope The Clash's debut album comes out officially in the USA. Moreover, the group's first tour on U.S. soil for his promotion to the beginning of 1979 , the Pearl Harbour Tour .

Shortly thereafter, in July 1979, their first album to officially turn the United States , but by shedding titles 48 Hours, Cheat, Protex Blue and Deny, replaced by a few singles released between the original album 1977 and Give 'Em Enough Rope. The Clash therefore contains in addition a version of I Fought The Law, Sonny Curtis (who later released on their EP Cost Of Living), Clash City Rockers, Complete Control, and (White Man) In Hammersmith Palace.

London Calling

Paul Simonon to Eurockennes with The Good, the Bad and the Queen in 2007.

The third album, London Calling , a double album priced at a mere emphasis on the group, was released in 1979 and remains the peak of their commercial success. Initially, he was welcomed in the United Kingdom with suspicion by fans early, because of double albums were generally associated with groups of progressive rock. Opening the punk music in other worlds, it offers a wider range of musical styles and influences than the previous albums , including the rockabilly sauce and American reggae Jamaican styles echoing dub and Ska popular in Great Britain.

Accompanied at the time of a sticker announcing the Clash as "the only band that matters" ^, , the album has been regarded as one of the best rock ever produced , appearing in 8 ^th place overall referencing the 500 greatest albums of all time according to the magazine Rolling Stone. He also said a number of top 25 albums of the last 25 years of Entertainment Weekly . The securities in the index, such as Train in Vain, Clampdown and London Calling are still regularly broadcast on stations radio. Upon its release, Train in Vain is also the first tube group to rank in the Top 40 U.S., although originally a hidden track on the original vinyl added too late as the end of sessions registration .

The font used on the cover is a tribute to the first RCA LP namesake of Elvis Presley , while the photograph taken by Pennie Smith shows Paul Simonon smashing his frustrated bass guitar against the floor during the show at the Palladium in New York 1979. According Simonon, who initially was against using the photo on the cover, it is the only time he smashed a guitar onstage. This bass is now in the Museum Rock and Roll Hall of Fame , with the caption "Revolution Rock: The Story of the Clash."

Sandinista!

Flag of the Frente Sandinista.

At the end of 1980 , The Clash, after the double album London Calling, released the triple album Sandinista! (with catalog number "FSLN1" for the initial Spanish political movement of the Nicaraguan Sandinista " Frente Sandinista de Liberacin Nacional "). Once again, the group insists that the album is sold at the same price as a single album, paying the difference by lowering its own royalty.

Mickey Gallagher

Exploring various musical styles, Sandinista! Receives from critics and fans, the very opposite reactions. If some find this album confused, scattered and very accommodating, he nevertheless reached the summit of the Pazzi & Jop list of the best albums of the year by The Village Voice . Recording every idea they have, the group members become less interested in the traditional concept of punk as their experiments in the reggae and dub (One More Time) and broaden their musical spectrum with jazz (Look Here), the hip-hop (The Magnificent Seven), the chamber music (Rebel Waltz), the gospel (Hitsville UK & The Sound of the Sinners), the song Baby Mickey Gallagher, the player synthesizer.

While the fans are upset and that sales are falling in England, the group operates more in the U.S. than previously, mostly by surfing on the previous success of London Calling. Following the release of Sandinista!, The Clash made his first world tour with dates in East Asia and Australia.

It was then that the combination of crazy schedule of touring and recording a new album reveals growing frictions within the group.

Tensions and separation (1982-1983)

Topper Headon, in September 2008

Tensions and conflicts within the group lead to the conclusion of a separation, especially since the band's drummer, Topper Headon, became unstable due to his addiction to heroin .

However, full tour, the band managed to record an additional album Combat Rock , which becomes even his best-selling worldwide. With titles such as Rock the Casbah and the double A side Should I Stay or Should I Go / Straight to Hell , the disc comes into force in the charts American and British .

Mohawk or "Mohawk"

At this time the unit starts to crumble The Clash . He is asked to Topper Headon left the group just before the release of this fifth album. The drummer is then unable to cope with his addiction continues, which has a negative impact on both his health and his technique of battery. The real reason for the departure of Headon was hidden by Bernie Rhodes, who spoke of differing political point of view . The debut of drummer, Terry Chimes, was recalled for the months that followed.

The tour of the Combat Rock tour was ironically a huge success. In part with the first part of the farewell tour of The Who , the band played the biggest stadiums in U.S. ( JFK Stadium in Philadelphia , Pontiac Silverdome in Detroit , Shea Stadium in New York , Coliseum of Oakland. ..). At that time, after a period of searching for identity dress and hair , Joe Strummer sports a mohawk , while somewhat outdated symbol of punk revival and fashion at the " MTV generation " .

The loss of Headon, member unifying and appreciated by all, brings a lot of friction within the group . Jones and Strummer began to quarrel incessantly, although it has sometimes been said that this animosity was that Bernie Rhodes, Jones did not like, finding him arrogant and he would Strummer mounted against it. Group members communicate barely avoided even look, both at concerts and behind the scenes. On the eve of the tour in the United Kingdom, Joe Strummer disappears , forcing the group to cancel the first dates. The Clash nevertheless continues to turn, but in 1983 , after years of constant touring and recording, is paying the price. Although he matured as musicians and individuals, members are still young enough (Paul Simonon and Mick Jones were only 26 and 27 years, Strummer 30) and do not know to deal with such situations difficult and strained. Simonon, a longtime friend of Jones, Strummer is closer because he is frustrated by the experimental music of Mick Jones.

Chimes slams the door after Combat Rock Tower 1 982 - one thousand nine hundred eighty-three , convinced he can not continue to bear the incessant infighting of the band. In 1983, after an intensive search for a new drummer, Pete Howard was recruited and accompanies the trio on stage at several U.S. dates to spare style and finally the U.S. Festival San Bernardino , California . Headlining the festival alongside David Bowie and Van Halen , The Clash gives is the biggest concert of his career in front of nearly half a million spectators. This date will also be the last appearance of Mick Jones from the group.

In September 1983, driven by Rhodes, Strummer and Simonon Jones saw the group, citing his problematic attitude and the fact that he has strayed away from the original group .

Mick Jones (Here in 2008) left the Clash in 1983

The Clash Mark Two

After a series of auditions, the band announced that Nick Sheppard , a former member of Cortinas, a panel of Bristol, and Vince White is the new guitarists. Howard continues as a drummer, despite rumors that Chimes might return Headon or replace it. The new lineup played their first concert in January 1984 with a set of new hardware and launches into a self-generated tour, called Out of Control Tower.

This training will still have an artistic failure . Joe Strummer also prefers to call it later Clash Mark Two ^, . In this regard, responding to the question of whether this version of the group was a mistake, he says: "If you are allowed to make your mistakes, I think you should. But people do not really like to hear you admit them. Although I've never wanted to unload on the musicians who were involved in that ... Because it was not their fault. " ^, .

In 1988, in another interview ^, , Joe Strummer admits he still thinks from time to time to these musicians: span class = "quote"> "I hope it does them too rotten life, because it was good people in an unwinnable situation. .

Clash of the winter turns to early summer. On the occasion of Scargill's Christmas Party, a charity show held in December 1984 to the attention of minors, the band announced the release of his next album later this year.

Cut the Crap and the last tour (1984-1985)

The recording sessions for Cut the Crap were chaotic, especially with Bernie Rhodes and Strummer working in Munich. Most musical pieces were played by studio musicians, with Sheppard and later White flying in rewarding bits of guitar . They are found only for concerts in public spaces across the UK where they played acoustic versions of their hits as well as covers such as Twist and Shout and Stepping Stone.

After a concert in Athens , Strummer went into exile in Spain to the point . Upon his return he officially disbanded the group. While Strummer was gone, the first single This Is England from Cut the Crap out with a mostly negative reception. The song, like most of the rest of the album following later that year, has largely been remixed by Rhodes, adding synthesizers, drum machines and song recordings of Strummer unfinished. Other songs played on the tour have never been published today, which include Jericho, Glue Zombie and In the Pouring Rain. Although Howard was a skilled drummer, paradoxically all the percussion tracks were produced using drum machines.

Musical style

Joe Strummer

Energy concerts

Joe Strummer, the Clash's live sound is like that of "a seal barking mad amid a multitude of jackhammers" .

Onstage, the band's style is very rhythmic. Initially, Paul Simonon is a novice and this is Mick Jones, who handles bass on him . The sound is not perfect but the public appreciates the energy they emit.

Joe Strummer, meanwhile, screams to the point that few people understand . Among the other members, the rage he uses to sing attracts most attention towards him .

Their various services are worth their purchase quickly a solid reputation. The critics then compare the Who and Rolling Stones early or to Bruce Springsteen. The rage they generate on stage is their trademark . And the full involvement of members in their stage performances impressed the audience during their tours .

In addition to concerts, the members are close to their fans. This altruistic attitude detached from the rest of the rock scene of the time. In an interview, Lester Bangs , a columnist for Rolling Stone and Creem , explains his fascination with the marginal approach: "I was amazed when I was touring with The Clash to a story about them, something they were really at the end of each show, they went out to the crowd and met the kids in these towns and say "Hi, looks like this town?". " .

catchy slogans

As stated by Mick Jones, the texts of their songs are more slogans than traditional words. The beginnings of the group, members of the reuse elsewhere to make their own t-shirts . Release B-side single from White Riot but not present on the first album, the song 1977 is characteristic of that era with its passage catchy "No Elvis, Beatles or Rolling Stones in 1977". It sums up the prevailing mood in 1977 during the explosion of punk. The group nevertheless respects the artists who influenced their music. The criticism aimed at the production of this musical epoch, which has become a simple tale of profits .

Topics covered throughout the album

The red star, a symbol often used by The Clash

"For me, punk rock was a social movement. We tried to make things politically that we thought they were important for our generation and, with luck, inspire another generation to go even further. " - Joe Strummer

Opposition to imperialism , exposing racial injustice, criticism of capitalism, The Clash with Joe Strummer at the head address many topics that are dear to open the eyes of youth .

Criticism of the establishment

In their repertoire of songs, with Clash Remote Control a title that denotes a certain paranoia. Inspired by 1984 by George Orwell , the song is illustrated in The Clash Song Book ( 1978 ) with the message " Big Brother is watching you. .

Footprint of anger toward oppressors (local government, politicians, business, police), this song brings into question the established order, so critical to the punk movement .

Criticism of the political system

The Clash are seen as the pioneers of punk and politics are being tricked by the name of "intelligent Loubards Rights" ("Thinking Man's Yobs") in 1977 in an article by Tony Parsons of NME ^, .

Their political vision is expressed explicitly in their words, their earliest recordings such as White Riot. Inspired by Joe Strummer after the riots of Notting Hill Carnival of 1976 , the text of the song encourages disillusioned white youth to become politically active so like the black minority . While England is in a recession, the English punk youth will recognize in these words that express the frustration of the time .

Career Opportunities is another example, denouncing the underpaid jobs, the style of factory jobs and the lack of alternatives. The song London's Burning , meanwhile, deals with political complacency. The political aspect of their texts is a characteristic traits of the group ( The Guns of Brixton , Something about England , Straight to Hell ...).

By 1976, in an interview for Sniffin 'Glue, Strummer says that music has to be a means of expression more than just a hobby: "Listen, the situation is much too serious to have fun, man. " . Washington Bullets is one example. In this way Sandinista!, The U.S. military is criticized for his involvement in various political upheavals around the world and particularly South America . On a disco rhythm and Headon with vocals, they play even compare the two American and Soviet blocs in 1980 in Ivan Meets GI Joe , evocative piece of the time .

Criticism of Media

Throughout the album, and various interviews, the band trumpets his skepticism toward the media, especially those of mass . In an interview, Joe Strummer explains his perception of the media: "In our music, we try to balance things a little by giving people information that they will not be on TV or in a newspaper. " ^, .

While CBS is refusing to release their first album in the United States and imposes the producer Sandy Pearlman to the following , the Clash frontally attack the music industry with their second album of 1978. Entitled "Give 'em Enough Rope (and They Will Hang Themselves)," it literally means "Give them some slack (and they will pass the rope around his neck). The cover shows that accompanies a corpse eaten by vultures, a metaphor of labels .

Other

The 1970s saw the U.S. cultural dominance of England . The Clash denounces this all-powerful America and its imperialism. So, Joe Strummer said: "I'm so bored with the USA denounced imperialism cheap, but not American music, not blues, not their great movies, not people . "

Anti-military , the musicians of The Clash singing themes related to war several times. The Call-Up Calls for desertion from military service with his words "It's up to you not to heed The Call-up / I do not want to die / I do not want to kill. " It is both young Russians with the war in Afghanistan and the Americans with the Iranian hostage crisis that are so concerned by this song . In the same vein, Charlie Do not Surf , inspired by Apocalypse Now by Francis Ford Coppola , has a ironic approach of war. This reinforces the attack against those who would impose their vision of the world . In the song Career Opportunities , exit on the album The Clash in 1977 , a passage is a rejection of the military authorities and the refusal to go to fight during his national service ("I hate the army an 'I hate the RAF / I do not want to go fighting In The tropical heat ").

Socio-cultural

Incarnation of punk and Social Policy

In the 1970s, the gap left in the United Kingdom by the Labour Party pushes the emergence of punk and its political commitment. Idealistic, with a sensitivity spurt left the Clash are one of the groups most embodying this aspect of punk, mainly driven by its leader Joe Strummer . "We are anti-fascists, we are anti-violence, we are anti-racist and pro-creative we are against ignorance, "said Strummer elsewhere ^, .

Much of contemporary British punk bands the Clash do not show as great a political sense, such as The Sex Pistols or The Damned. Even the American scene of Ramones, Blondie and Talking Heads is meaningless politics. For many, including Billy Bragg , the contribution of the Clash and Joe Strummer in particular in this area is crucial: "If it were not for the Clash, punk would have been just a sneer, a safety pin and a pair of pants to Serfdom " .

From the tradition of activist musicians , one of the political struggles of the group is pushing the youth to rebel against the oppressive conservatism of Thatcherism . That's why Joe Strummer is sometimes seen since his death as both a songwriter and political activist .

For Lester Bangs, which lends credibility to the speech of the group, its authenticity is more than the social origins of its members. Thus, in his article The Clash along thirty pages, he writes about them: "The fact is that, like Richard Hell says, the rock 'n' roll is an arena where you recreate, and any what is said about the authenticity is just a bunch of bullshit. The Clash are authentic because their music carries with it such brutal conviction, not because they are noble savages . "

Ideology

Do It Yourself

Mark Perry, creator of the fanzine Sniffin 'Glue

Inspired by the precept of the Do It Yourself , yet the group chooses to sign his debut in a major rather than an independent label. When the band signed with CBS Records to the firm 100,000 , some fans are taken aback . Mark Perry even says on the subject: "Punk died the day the Clash signed to CBS. " .

Aware of these criticisms, Joe Strummer replied in an interview for Melody Maker: "Listen, we want to reach many people. If we had our own label, we would only come to affect hundreds or perhaps thousands of people. What is right in there when you try to be realistic about these things? " . But at the same time the punk movement begins to transform into a huge business , so the community feels the confidence and the ad group Crass wrote the song Punk Is Dead, in which he yells: "CBS promote the Clash / But this is not for revolution, it's just for cash. " .

The group believes yet have the hand on the artistic side. But when CBS released the single without asking the opinion of members, they are frustrated. In response, they wrote the song Complete Control attacking their label .

As for money

Money has always been the perennial problem of the Clash. Thus, during the tour Anarchy Tour, after cancellation of most concerts, other smaller rooms are found, thus reducing revenue. Provocation, the scene of Leeds , Joe Strummer wears a T-shirt which reads: "Social Security 9.70 pounds" ("Social Security 9.70), or the modest sum he touches per week.

Furthermore, Bernie Rhodes covers the expenses of his pocket during this period.

Similarly, when in 1980 the band released their fourth album, Sandinista!, he decided to abandon his royalties on the first 200,000 copies. Leaving this triple album at the regular price of a double (see below), members of The Clash wish to provide the public the maximum possible pieces for affordable sum .

Paul Simonon then summarizes the thinking that drives the group to do so: "But it is betting that we must take. We believe that what we are doing is right. If we were to impose what people say, it would not be The Clash " ^, .

Thus, despite the money raised by the tour group, including the United States with the Who, the group is regularly close to bankruptcy. In 1981, despite the success of their first four albums, the members are fighting with their record company to receive a weekly salary of about 200 per person .

Political involvement

Like many groups in the first wave punk , The Clash protested against the monarchy and the aristocracy in the UK and worldwide. Nevertheless, the Clash did not share the same vision nihilistic policy held by most of these groups. This also gets them a lot of criticism from other influential groups such as Crass and Angelic Upstarts.

Logo of the Red Army Faction

In 1978 , during the show Rock Against Racism organized by the Anti-Nazi League , Strummer wearing a controversial T-shirt bearing the words " Brigate Rosse, "accompanied by the insignia of the Red Army Faction ( Baader - Ulrike Meinhof ). He later said that this gesture was not intended to support terrorist brigades of extreme left Germany and Italy, only to be talked about. Similarly, in the song Tommy Gun , his attitude is ambiguous. Caroline Coon sheds light on what the Clash were in fact at that time: "Those tough, militaristic songs What We Were Needed As We Went Into Thatcherism ("these songs, hard and militaristic, were what we need as we entered the Thatcherism. ")

The group will also support other charity concerts, the most famous are those of December 1979 for the people of Cambodia, organized by Paul McCartney. The album released in the wake of these concerts also contains a song by The Clash Armagideon Time.

The Clash also offer their support to the Sandinistas in Nicaragua and other movements Marxists of Latin America (witness the title of their album of 1980, Sandinista! ).

At the time of their album London Calling , released in December 1979 , the group tries to keep the punk energy while developing more and more experimental music. Although particularly suspicious vis--vis their burgeoning celebrity, they have always offered a warm welcome to their fans backstage after their concert, being open-minded, intellectual interest and compassion in dealing with them.

The title of "London Calling" evokes the motto of American radio journalist Edward R. Murrow during World War II. His words also announced: "War Is Declared ... and battle come down ..." . She warns those who hope they are the saviors: "... now do not look to us / Phoney Beatlemania has bitten the Dust ..." paints a stark portrait of the time: "The Ice age is coming, the sun's zooming in / Engines stop running, The Wheat is Growing thin " but calls those who listen to emerge from their stupor drugged and resume the fight without constantly turning to the Clash themselves for Answers - "Forget it, brother, we can go it alone ... Quit holding out and draw Another breath ... I do not want to shout / But While We Were talking I saw you nodding out ... " - finally asking, "After all this, will not you give me a smile?" .

During the life of The Clash, the musicians are never driven by money. Even against their interests, tickets for their concerts are sold at reasonable prices. The group also insists that at CBS for their double and triple album, London Calling and Sandinista!, Are sold at a single (about 5). To do this, they give their royalties to reach 200,000 sales. This logic of "value for money" has the effect of leaving them still in the grip of their label. It was not until 1982 that they can completely control their own musical career.

Events

Rock Against Racism

The release of White Riot is accompanied by a misunderstanding: some critics and journalists relaying the idea that The Clash is a nationalist group . Yet, the song screams the opposite. The Clash are also participating in a concert for the anti-Nazi League and the Rock Against Racism.

Launched by Red Saunders and Roger Huddle in 1976, the Rock Against Racism movement has the support of many musicians and intellectuals and is rapidly growing. In April 1978, the "Rock Against Racism Carnival" brings 100,000 people in Trafalgar Square to Victoria Park . The outdoor concert is given the opportunity unfolds The Clash, The Buzzcocks , Steel Pulse , X-Ray Spex , The Ruts , Sham 69 , Generation X and the Tom Robinson Band.

The importance of The Clash in this movement is such that Red Saunders explains: "Should there be a soundtrack to an urban revolution, it would be the Clash" .

Controversy

Arrests various

During his promotional tour International White Riot Tour (with the Buzzcocks and The Jam ) of the first album, the group begins to create an image of conflict, in part because of the arrest of its members for vandalism . On May 21, 1977, after a concert in St Albans , the English police stopped the bus carrying members of the group and their entourage. Strummer and Headon were arrested for stealing pillowcases and a key to a hotel Holiday Inn in Seaton Burn near Newcastle . They are each sentenced to a fine of 100 pounds .

Throughout their career, the group members regularly experience problems with the law. On June 10, 1977, Joe Strummer and Topper Headon were arrested in London after writing the group name on a wall . On June 6, 1978, Joe Strummer and Paul Simonon are closed this time in Glasgow for being drunk and disorderly on the public highway .

During the first three years of their career, the group members are based in what is now called "The Stables Market in Camden Town , London. On March 30, 1978, during a recording, Topper Headon and Paul Simonon are arrested for shooting pigeons from the roof of their studio with a gun in air. These birds were found to be actually racing pigeons of great value.

But if the police moved that day to arrest the two musicians, it is because the British Transport Police Railway (British Rail Transport Police) have offices near the studio. Based on the reputation "anti-establishment" of punk, she thinks they want to take the train . A helicopter and officers of the Criminal Investigation Department (Criminal Investigation Department ") is made to arrest .

Following this incident, the band composed the song Guns On The Roof Album Give Em Enough Rope .

Cultural Connections

Comparison Sex Pistols and The Clash

From the same movement, the Sex Pistols and the Clash have a common history. Initially, despite the competition between Malcolm McLaren and Bernie Rhodes to install their respective groups as a leader of the punk movement , the two groups running at the same time. The Pistols are headlining one of the Clash support groups.

Yet both groups have the same philosophy, or the same goals. As Mick Jones says, "There was camaraderie to some degree, but obviously a bit of competitive spirit, too: You're a different team. If there was one thing to start a punk group of people who thought only to destruction and to another who thought to create, it was the Sex Pistols and us. We had two different approaches, opposing purposes. " .

Besides, Mark Perry , editor and creator of the fanzine Sniffin 'Glue , considers that the Clash delivering a real message. According to him, the Pistols had no real meaning and focused mainly on hate and derision. In contrast, the Clash inspired themes addressed everyday problems like unemployment, the very basis of the punk movement.

The musical legacy of The Clash

English Scene

"The Clash was the best band in the world and they would have been bigger than U2 without a doubt. For a long time, they were the ones to whom we measured. " - Larry Mullen of U2

The Clash has influenced much of rock bands since the 1980s, beginning with The Wallflowers and U2. Bono has also discovered during a concert in Dublin . According to him, "The Clash was the greatest rock band. They wrote the rules for U2. " .

Fan of the group and its leader, Sharleen Spiteri , singer of Texas , uses the same guitar as the latter, a Fender Telecaster Black . Indeed, at first, bought a Telecaster Strummer from 1966 to 120 pounds personalizes it by painting himself black. Moreover, in 2007, echoing the fact that Strummer had kept his entire career , the manufacturer realizes the "Telecaster Joe Strummer" .

In tribute to the band, the compilation Burning London: The Clash Tribute was released in 1999 with covers by No Doubt , Third Eye Blind , 311 and Silverchair , among others. Babyshambles , The Paddingtons, Dirty Pretty Things , Guillemots , The Kooks and about 20 Other artists have also released a cover of Janie Jones for Strummerville Charity Music .

French Scene

In his debut with Hot Pants , Manu Chao has The Clash for the reference group . Although initially it is not specifically tied to punk , it is packaged with a concert given by the British group at the Palais des Sports .

Black Desire has also been influenced by The Clash. In an interview with Vibration Magazine , Bertrand Cantat says that the album London Calling is part of his nightclub privileged span class = "quote"> "But others also, because punk was important for me, at all levels, because they have not unexplored, opened on the dub, and if you have a small loss of power on the island, it can go up the ramps. " ^, .

In 2009, Editions Buchet Chastel publish a collection of short stories titled "London Calling - 19 stories and black rock." Nineteen authors mainly from the French roman noir ( Jean-Bernard Pouy , Caryl Ferey, Marc Villard, Jean-Luc Manet , Pierre Mikhailoff ...) it appropriated the 19 songs on the album to draw 19 new. The collection is preceded by a preface by Antoine de Caunes and illustrated with drawings by Serge Clerc.

Opening Music

One of the peculiarities of punk is its musical eclecticism. From her first album, The Clash imposes CBS resumption Police and Thieves, a title Junior Murvin's reggae. This approach to open the directory to other punk songs sets them apart from other groups of the time .

During its existence, the group explores a maximum of musical genres , trying for example to groove with Magnificent Seven and Lightning strikes and almost always continues to be inspired by the musicality of Reggae ((White Man) In Hammersmith's Palace among others).

The group nevertheless considers that tap into the reggae rhythms and roots of black music is a typically punk. Thus, on the occasion of the release of Sandinista! Paul Simonon says in Rolling Stone : "People do not understand. Punk was about to change - and was the number one rule: there is no rule. " ^,

Yet the desire to learn new sounds which pushes the group to separate. In 1983, Jones wants to continue to insert references in hip-hop songs that they compose, like what has been done for the album Sandinista!. But after exploring the dub with Washington bullets, ska, rockabilly (Brand New Cadillac by Vince Taylor) or even the soul (Stagger Lee) , this is no more taste of Joe Strummer and Paul Simonon. They seek to return to the roots of punk for the next album. This point of divergence that will result in the eviction of Mick Jones .

Band Members

The composition varies little during his career:

The post-Clash careers

Joe Strummer

Joe Strummer on stage.

In 1986, Strummer worked with his former comrade Mick Jones on the second album from ADB , No. 10 Upping St.. He co-produced and co-wrote seven songs. Strummer plays comedy in several films, including Alex Cox's Walker and Mystery Train of Jim Jarmusch. He also performs a cameo cameo in Aki Kaurismki in I Hired a Contract Killer where he sings Burning Lights / Afro-Cuban Be-Bop.

He noted at this time for his participation in soundtracks , including Love Kills for the film Sid and Nancy. He later co-produced one of Grosse Pointe Blank with John Cusack who meets success.

After some experimentation with support groups with limited success, he resurfaced in 1989 by producing her first solo album. Earthquake Weather is not a critical success, nor a commercial success. Strummer nevertheless share the road with a new troupe of musicians, the Latino Rockabilly War, before leaving the single Trash City. As in 1991 / 1992 , Strummer joined the Pogues after the ouster of former lead singer Shane MacGowan for a series of concerts across Europe.

Finally, in the late 1990s, Joe Strummer brings together top-flight musicians under the name The Mescaleros. On 15 November 2002 , Joe Strummer & The Mescaleros gives a benefit concert for the London Fire (FBU) at the Acton Town Hall, London . On this occasion, Mick Jones joined the band on stage on Bankrobber, White Riot and London's Burning .

The last time Strummer on stage is 22 November 2002 at the Liverpool Academy. He died suddenly one month after a heart attack at age 50 . Streetcore , the Mescaleros' album on which he worked, was released posthumously in 2003. Its critical reception is complimentary.

Mick Jones later admitted to reporters that his death came as former members of The Clash seriously considering getting back together for a world tour. Their reunion for the documentary Westway To The World of Don Letts (2001) had restored their envy.

Don Letts in March 1987 with ADB

Mick Jones

After his expulsion from The Clash, Jones form Big Audio Dynamite (or ADB) in 1984 along with Don Letts, director of several videos on the Clash. Their debut album, This Is Big Audio Dynamite, was released the following year. E = MC , which is drawn, then listen in dance clubs. The next disc, No. 10 Upping St., met Jones and Strummer. 3 albums later, Jones decided to completely change his training and renamed Big Audio Dynamite II. And mid-1990s, the group is called Big Audio.

Producer, Mick Jones is working with the Libertines for their two studio albums and Babyshambles for their first. Since then he has played and recorded a new album, The Last Post, with his new band Carbon / Silicon.

Paul Simonon

Paul Simonon with The Good, the Bad and the Queen

Following the breakup of the Clash, Simonon formed a group called Havana 3am, which recorded only one album in Japan before quickly abandoning . He then returned to its roots by becoming an artist, exhibiting in several galleries and art helping to cover the third album by Mick Jones and BAD, Tighten Up Vol. 88. The refusal of Simonon replay music is one of the main explanations why The Clash is one of the few punk bands of the 1970s not to have reformed during the period nostalgic punk in the late 1990.

Currently, Simonon collaborated with Damon Albarn of Blur and training virtual Gorillaz , Simon Tong of The Verve and Tony Allen , principal founder of Afrobeat and drummer of Fela Kuti. Together they created The Good, the Bad and the Queen , whose first concert was given on 26 October 2006 at the Roundhouse in Camden Town.

Topper Headon

Headon's contribution to The Clash is not only limited to her playing the drums. He composes and arranges music for Ivan Meets GI Joe (which he also sings) and Rock The Casbah virtually alone. This title is also their biggest hit in the U.S. where he reached ^the 8th spot on the Billboard in 1982. At that time, however, Headon was fired from the band for his addiction to heroin.

With the exception of a small group of R & B with whom he recorded an LP titled Walking Up to 12 "Drumming Man EP 1986 , Headon disappears from the music scene until retrospective documentary Don Letts Westway to the World. There made his mea culpa about his addiction.

Partly ruined despite the royalties from the Clash, suffering from kyphosis , and after several years of failure in its quest for a pardon, he is now healthy and on stage again .

Other members

Terry Chimes

Chimes played with various groups between and after its investments with the Clash. He is the drummer for Black Sabbath for two years in the mid 1980s. Removed from the music scene, he became a chiropractor. Since 1994 he performs in his own practice in Woodford in the southern suburbs of London.

Pete Howard

Howard plays for Fiction from the group Eat Records, before forming Wind 414 with Miles Hunt in 1996. He joined Queen Adreena in 2002.

Keith Levene

After leaving the Clash and shortly after the separation of the Sex Pistols , Levene co-founded Public Image Limited (PiL) with John Lydon (aka Johnny Rotten ). His style of guitar playing was much imitated by several punk rockers or another, such as The Edge of U2. On subsequent records of PiL, Levene sometimes exchange for his guitar synthesizer. He left PiL permanently in 1983 following an altercation with Lydon.

Nick Sheppard

From 1986 to 1989 , he joined Gareth Sager (formerly of The Pop Group and Rip Rig & Panic) in Head , but their three albums do not meet their public. Sheppard then works with Koozie Johns in Shot and signed with IRS Records in 1991 , Miles Copeland's label . However, no record of the group was never released on record. Sheppard moved to Australia in 1993 and played for the New Heavy Smoker and Egyptian Kings.

Discography

Videography

• Rude Boy
• Westway To The World
• The Essential Clash
• Up Close And Personal (Documentary)
• The Future Is Unwritten (Documentary)
• Live - Revolution Rock (Documentary produced by Don Letts titles included unreleased Live & Rare)
• In Tokyo (Live filmed at Sun Plaza Hall in Tokyo, January 2, 1982)

Tours

Trivia

• The Clash appear in the film by Martin Scorsese's The King of Comedy (1983) with Robert De Niro. Strummer, Simonon and Jones can be seen in a crowd. The credits, they are credited as the "Gang of thugs."

Bibliography

• (En) Topper Headon, Mick Jones, Paul Simonon, Joe Strummer, The Clash, The Devil Vauvert , 2008 ( ISBN 9782846261715 and 2846261717 )
• (En) Marcus Gray, The Clash: Combat Rock, White Truck, 1999 ( ISBN 978-2910196202 )
• (In) Marcus Gray, Last Gang in Town: The Story and Myth of the Clash, Henry Holt & Co, 1995 ( ISBN 978-0805046410 )
• (In) Marcus Gray, The Clash: Return of the Last Gang in Town, Hal Leonard Publishing Corporation, 2002 ( ISBN 978-0634046735 )
• (En) Bruno Blum, The Sex Pistols, the Clash and the punk explosion, Presses de la Cit, 2006 ( ISBN 978-2258069596 )
• (In) Chris Salewicz, Redemption Song: The Ballad of Joe Strummer, Farrar Straus and Giroux, 2007 ( ISBN 978-0571211784 )
• (In) Antonino D'Ambrosio, Fury Have the Hour: The Punk Rock Politics of Joe Strummer, Nation Books, 2004 ( ISBN 978-1560256250 )

See also

Internal Links

• A group of punk rock in response to Clash: Crass

External Links

• (En) Website
• (In) Dmoz Category Clash
• (En) Clashstoryrockers

References

• Portal punk
• Portal Rock
• London portal

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