JOE STRUMMER, 1988 (on Rock 'n' Roll): "It's the only thing that's living to me. I shall live and die and be judged by it."
Joe Strummer- Guitar/Vocals
Paul Simonon- Bass/Vocals
Mick Jones- Guitar/Vocals
Nicky(Topper)Headon- Drums
The Clash were considered by many to be the only constructive band to emerge from the British Punk Rock revolution of the mid-70's. They were originally formed by Mick Jones and Paul Simonon. Mick and Paul hooked up with singer/guitarist Joe Strummer, who had broken up his previous band, pub-rockers The 101er's, the day before joining The Clash.
The Clash recorded their self-titled debut album, with Terry Chimes (aka Tory Crimes) returning to play drums, over two weekends and released their debut single, "White Riot" shortly before the album was released in March, 1977. "The Clash" was to become the highest selling import album in American history, selling 100 000 copies before the album was released along with additions in 1979. "White Riot" joined "Anarchy In The U.K." (by the Sex Pistols) as the anthems of the punk movement. Nicky "Topper" Headon was recruited to play drums after a huge audition.
The Clash were obviously very politically motivated with their music, as was proven on "The Clash". They headlined a "Rock Against Racism" concert in early 1978 in Victoria Park, London and made several quotes in the media stating their stance against racism.
The Clash released their long-awaited second UK album (and first US album), "Give 'Em Enough Rope", in November 1978. It reached #2 in the UK charts, but failed to dent the US charts in early 1979, reaching #128. It featured the musical base was now beginning to swing away from punk, which was losing singles "Tommy Gun" and "English Civil War", the latter being based on the American war song, "When Johnny Comes Marching Home". The Clash's popularity with the demise of most bands in the movement by 1979, including the Pistols. They were beginning to experiment with reggae, which first appeared in their cover of Junior Murvin's "Police and Thieves" on the debut album.
1982 was an eventful year. After a great tour of the Far East and Australia, The Clash made their final touches on their fifth album, "Combat Rock". Shortly after the release of the first single from the album, "Know Your Rights" and before the release of the album, Joe Strummer disappeared. He was eventually found in Paris and returned in time for a concert in Holland - but not before forcing the postponement of a British tour (he later revealed that walking out was a combination of the stress of how to deal with the growing conflict between Jones and Rhodes and a Bernard Rhodes publicity stunt to promote the album). On returning from Holland, Joe Strummer announced that Topper Headon had left the band due to a "difference in political direction that The Clash planned to take in the future", although it was later revealed that it was because of his worsening heroin addiction (of which he would be jailed for 15 months in 1987 for manslaughter).
In 1983, at a time when The Clash were the best band in the world, it all started to fall apart. Mick Jones was becoming more disenchanted with the other members of the group, wanting to take a break when joe and Paul wanted to tour. Mick also wanted to expand The Clash's music even further whereas Joe and Paul wanted to return to punk. The band headlined the US Festival in LA in June, and with new drummer Pete Howard, kicked up an almighty mess over band payments, leading to fist fights backstage with the bouncers, in what was to be Mick's last gig with The Clash. In September, the music world was shocked to hear Mick Jones was fired by Joe and Paul.The following day, Mick formed Big Audio Dynamite, a band which he still leads today and which reached huge success with the #1 single "Rush".
Vince White and Nick Sheppard became the new guitarists in The Clash in late 1983, and joined Joe, Paul and Pete on tours throughout 1984 and 1985. The Clash's sixth album, "Cut The Crap", was released in November, 1985 and was attacked in the media. It became certain to Joe and Paul that The Clash were lacking the energy and genius of Topper and Mick, and so they fired the others, including Bernie, and called an end to The Clash in the opening days of 1986.
Since then, Joe has been heavily involved in the music scene and has appeared in several movies. Paul performed in the short-lived band, Havana 3AM and has now returned to his trained profession, painting. Topper apparently has been in and out of drug detox since his release from jail.
"Should I Stay Or Should I Go" became The Clash's only #1 single to date when it was used in a Levi Jeans commercial in the UK, and has been followed up with increased interest in the band and the continuing rumours of a reunion.
"The Guns of Brixton"
When they kick at your front door
You can crush us
The money feels good
You see he feels like Ivan
You can crush us
PAUL SIMONON: "I always wanted to be a guitarist, not a bass player, but because I couldn't play or nothing - I just used to leap about with it and not hit any right notes - so in the end I thought "I'll be the bass player - but I'll be the best bass player."
PAUL SIMONON, 1976: "I don't know why people are talking about The Clash being a political band. I didn't know who the Prime Minister was until a couple of weeks ago."
Paul Simonon
How you gonna come?
With your hands on your head
Or on the trigger of your gun?
When the law break in
How you gonna go?
Shot down on the pavement
Or waiting in death row?
You can bruise us
But you'll have to answer to
Oh, the guns of Brixton
And your life you like it well
But surely your time will come
As in heaven, as in hell
Born under the Brixton sun
His game is called survivin'
At the end of The Harder They Come
You know it means no mercy
They caught him with a gun
No need for the black maria
Goodbye to the Brixton sun
You can bruise us
Yes, even shoot us
But oh, the guns of Brixton
CliCk HeRe 4 My HoMe paGe
CliCk HeRe 4 My BMX paGe
CliCk HeRe 4 My SuRvey
CliCk HeRe 4 My PuNks paGe
CliCk HeRe 4 My InFo paGe
CliCk HeRe 4 My VanDals paGe
CliCk HeRe 4 My MuSic paGe
CliCk HeRe 2 AsK My MoM!