I initially thought maybe this was part of a documentary coming in October, but if you click the link in the description, you’ll learn that this video is to promote a tribute band performance in Australia! Anyway, pretty cool recollections by band members and producer Sandy Pearlman. It’s absolutely bonkers to think that Joe Strummer died at 50 and has been gone for almost 24 years.
Tales of True Adventure for Rugged Men Not Unlike Yourself
The Clash were the best band of their time (perhaps only because of the swift implosion of the Sex Pistols). Their second was a sophomore slump for sure, but their worst is better than most bands’ best. (By calling it their worst I’m of course ignoring Cut the Crap, which is more an accidental fart than an album.)
When they were in NYC mixing their second, a bandmate and I went into CBGB’s one afternoon on some business for an upcoming gig, and all four Clash members were at the bar. I was struck dumb, not only because I was a fan, but by the fact that they were in NYC at all. They’d never played a gig in the US at that point, and I’d recently seen an NME article that quoted Joe Strummer as saying “America isn’t ready for the Clash, and the Clash isn’t ready for America.” Later on I learned they were there for overdubs or mixing. I didn’t speak to them, which I regret. They seemed approachable, but I was hesitant. My bandmate wasn’t a Clash fan, so maybe I thought he’d say something dumb or rude. He didn’t even recognize them. But I think they might have gotten a kick out of meeting Memphians.
Part I of that documentary is outstanding. So much good Clash content online.
The Only Band That Mattered.
Lots of props for Topper.