.::. THE CLASH .::.

The Clash have changed the lives of so many music fans around the world. A band who embodied passion, idealism and political social zeal. Blending rock and reggae, hip-hop and funk; they were the cutting edge of the punk scene, spawning a generation of fans. Formed in the summer of ‘76, The Clash rode the wave of the punk scene and went beyond it in so many ways. Under the guidance of manager Bernard Rhodes, Mick Jones, Paul Simonon and Keith Levene were on the lookout for a frontman. Joe Strummer was in a pub rock band called the 101ers. When he saw The Sex Pistols play live, he knew the 101ers days were over. He was approached by Bernard Rhodes and asked to leave his band and join a tough new band that would rival The Sex Pistols. Terry Chimes took the drum seat and the group became The Clash. Malcolm Mclaren asked his ex business partner Bernard Rhodes for The Clash to join The Sex Pistols on the now legendary ‘Anarchy in the UK’ tour, by this time Keith Levene had left The Clash. Their Eponymous debut album ‘The Clash’ was recorded over three weekends in ‘77. This pounding, high velocity record captured the urgency and passion of the times and received huge critical acclaim. The single ‘White Riot’ inspired by Joe and Paul’s participation in the Notting Hill Carnival riots was indicative of the social activist attitude that the band would have throughout their career. At this time Topper Headon joined the line-up replacing Chimes, and in ‘78 they played what has become a hugely celebrated gig in front of 80,000 people at Victoria Park in east London for Rock Against Racism. The band hit the studio after this to record their second album ‘Give ‘Em Enough Rope’ over three months in the UK and the US with production by Sandy Pearlman. It reached No. 2 in the UK charts in ‘79. With a tougher expanded sound moving on from the immediate music of ‘The Clash’, this second album confirmed the band as the leading light of the Punk movement. ‘Give ‘Em Enough Rope’ catapulted the band onto the US scene and they set out on a tour of the states with Bo Diddley in support. The influences they experienced from this tour were apparent on their return to the UK from a new musical direction, and their classic rock and roll quiffed up look. Whilst in the studio in the US they recorded a cover of ‘I Fought The Law’ (Bobby Fuller Four), now regarded as a classic Clash track. Other musical influences including dub, reggae, ska and jazz have always been at the heart of the band. When the band re-entered the studio in the summer of ‘79 under the guiding hand of producer Guy Stevens, many of these styles were found in the songs that the band created. ... historia completa »