Galen & Paul (that’s Simonon) – Lonely Town
I’m always curious to find out how former Clash members are spending their time. In the aughts, Mick Jones collaborated with Tony James on the delightfully quirky Carbon/Silicon (moreC/S please!). Paul Simonon released a couple of albums with the Damon Albarn led The Good The Bad & The Queen . And they both contributed to the Gorillaz ‘Plastic Seat Beach’ record. But overall, the twenty-teens and twenties have been relatively quiet.
Photo by @tommyophoto So, a neat surprise a few weeks back when I was scrolling through Instagram and came across this sweet little tune, “Lonely Town.” The short version of the story is that Paul Simonon (bassman for the Clash, and the bass-smashing cover boy of London Calling) was staying on and off in Mallorca during lockdown – resting, painting, writing some tunes – when a mutual friend pointed Paul toward Gale Ayers back in the UK (daughter of Soft Machine’s Kevin Ayers). They knew each other from years past, and hit it off creatively.
Galen moved in with Paul for writing and recording (separate rooms!), and before you know it, they have a major label debut as Galen & Paul with Can We Do Tomorrow Another Day?
The album releases on May 19th, but a couple of singles are already out: “Room at the Top” and the aforementioned “Lonely Town.” It’s a catchy, laid back, simple little number that I’m enjoying. Check it out!
Midnight to Stevens – The Clash Pay Tribute to an Original
I’m about a quarter of the way through Marcus Gray’s Route 19 Revisited: The Clash and London Calling. It’s a meticulously detailed account of absolutely everything having to do with the landmark 1979 album. Gray also wrote one of the best full biographies of the band, The Clash: Return of the Last Gang in Town.
Needless to say, I’ve been buried pretty deep in Clash music over the last few weeks, listening to the albums, live shows, outtakes, B-sides and the like. This includes listening to my old Clash on Broadway CD collection, and encountering a great song I don’t recall hearing before. Apparently, when I bought the box set back in the 90’s, I didn’t give it the listen it deserved. Shame!.
Guy Stevens and Mick Jones “Midnight to Stevens” is an outtake from the Combat Rock demo sessions, cut in September of 1981. The subject is music industry/producer Guy Stevens, who produced Procol Harum and Mott the Hoople in the late 60’s and early 70’s – and who, along with the Clash, produced London Calling. From what I’ve read, Guy was wild, unpredictable, and a raging alcoholic. Underneath it all though, he was loved by the musicians he worked with – in spite of the his behavior (he’d pace the studio during takes, throw chairs and ladders, and get in the face of the musicians). Clash guitarist Mick Jones, for one, was a huge Mott the Hoople fan, so would have been excited to have Guy on board for London Calling. Guy was absent for a good portion of the LC sessions, but his eccentric spirit likely helped fuel the creative and unpredictable spirit of the album – inspiring the band to produce a multi-genre masterpiece.
Sadly, on August 28, 1981, Guy Stevens died of an overdose of prescription medication, which he was taking to try and combat the alcoholism. He was only 38 years old. Just three weeks later (Sept 17), at the People’s Hall in London, with the Rolling Stones mobile studio parked outside, the Clash recorded this tribute to Guy.
The song itself is a more subdued, pop-oriented tune than one is used to hearing from the Clash. It’s a sad, beautiful tune if you ask me – and I know you are. It was a nice surprise to discover this after all these years.
So here’s a short clip of the London Calling sessions at Wessex Studios in London, where you can see Guy exhibiting his Guy-ness:
And here is the song (available on the Clash mega set Sound System).
IckMix 6: Move
I put this together for my brother a few months ago as a running/exercise companion. Since then, I’ve listened to it quite a few times on my runs, and quite simply, it pretty much kicks ass.
So download, throw it on your iPod/iPhone/SmartPhone of choice, and move! (Or, sit back in a La-Z-Boy with a strong cocktail. You do what you want, I’m not your daddy).
IckMix 6: Move (mp3)
1. “Month of May” – Arcade Fire (3:51) | The Suburbs
2. “Bushwick Blues” – Delta Spirit (3:44) | History from Below
3. “Seaside Bar Song” – Bruce Springsteen (3:35) | Tracks
4. “Run Runaway” – Slade (5:01) | The Amazing Kamikaze Syndrome
5. “Now It’s On+ – Grandaddy (4:08) | Sumday
6. “When My Time Comes” – Dawes (5:08) | North Hills
7. “A More Perfect Union” – Titus Andronicus (7:10) | The Monitor
8. “The Leader” – The Clash (1:42) | Sandinista!
9. “Boom Boom (Out Go The Lights)” – Pat Travers Band (5:06) | Pat Travers Band…Live! Go For What You Know
10. “Let’s Go Crazy (Special Dance Mix)” – Prince (7:37) | Ultimate
11. “Freedom Park” – Marah (4:35) | 20,000 Streets Under The Sky
12. “I Do (LP Version)” – J. Geils Band (3:08) | Monkey IslandTitus Andronicus!
Once in a while, a song comes along, lifts me up by the collar and slams me up against the wall. I had one of those moments with “A More Perfect Union,” the opener on the The Monitor, the latest record by New Jersey’s Titus Andronicus. The album/song start with a spoken word excerpt from an 1838 speech given by Abraham Lincoln – and when the guitars & drums crash in powerfully after the words “If destruction be our lot, we ourselves be its author and finisher. As a nation of freemen, we will live forever, or die by suicide,” it’s off to the races.
The band clearly comes from the same school of raw, raucous power as the Clash, Bruce Springsteen, the Pogues, and the like. And singer Patrick Stickles has an irreverent, raging vocal delivery that reminds me of Conor Oberst – and I like Conor a lot when he’s pissed off.
The official video of “A More Perfect Union” skips the opening Lincoln intro, which is a shame, because it’s an integral piece of kicking the song into overdrive – from zero to sixty in a second. But you’ll get the vibe.
The Monitor comes highly recommended. Buy it for $5 on Amazon. I did. If you’re with me here in Arizona, I’ll see you April 18th for their show at the Rhythm Room.
A Nudge in the Right Direction
Here are some recent unearthings I feel the need to pass along…
- Heard a good live Clash recording lately? For shame. Go to Licorice Pizza to download a great quality show from December 27, 1979. Thirty one years ago. Whaaa? It’s the Clash, playing a bunch of London Calling tracks the year before the album came out. I wouldn’t wanna sit on those songs either. Check it out here.
- Our good man Gonzo has posted a sweet 00’s mix of his favorites from the decade. Go to this post on Gonzo’s Music-o-rama for the two-disc set, featuring artists like the Dresden Dolls, Phoenix, Spank Rock, Death Cab for Cutie, Ra Ra Riot and many more.
- Boston.com has an amazing photo collection of New Year’s Eve celebrations from around the world.
- Our friends at Popdose recently posted their fourth podcast. If you’re in the mood to be entertained, go hang out with the Jeff, Jason, and Dave for an hour.
Remembering Joe Strummer / Live Clash from Jamaica
Today marks the seventh anniversary of Joe Strummer‘s untimely death at the age of 50 (due to a heart defect). To mark the occasion, and to celebrate the legend – born John Graham Mellor in Ankara, Turkey – here’s a nice boot from the Clash at the height of their popularity.
Touring behind their hit album Combat Rock, the tour took them through Montego Bay, Jamaica for the Jamaican World Music Festival. The Grateful Dead had headlined the night before, and this night, it was the Clash’s turn.
According to the Clash resource Black Market Clash, the “Bob Marley Centre” was nothing more than an immense gravel parking lot with a stage at one end. Earlier acts of the evening included Rick James, Jimmy Buffett, the English Beat, and Bob Weir’s band, Bobby and the Midnites. By the time the Clash came on, it was closing in on dawn.
Rest in Peace Joe…
The Clash at the Jamaican World Music Festival (ZIP)
Bob Marley Centre – Montego Bay, JA
November 27, 1982Introduction
London Calling
Police on My Back
The Guns of Brixton
Magnificent 7
Armagideon Time
The Magnificent 7
Junco Partner
Spanish Bombs
One More Time
Train In Vain
Bankrobber
This is Radio Clash
Clampdown
Should I Stay or Should I Go
Rock the Casbah
Straight to Hell
I Fought the LawIckmix 3
‘Tis time for another Ickmix. This is my best one yet, if I may toot my own horn. Toot.
Take a little trip with me, yah? Oh and check my fancy intro.
Download Ickmix 3 (57MB, 41:38)
Playlist :
1.“Brother Lee” – Citizen Cope
2. “Revolution Rock” – The Clash
3. “Freedom Park” – Marah – from 20,000 Streets Under the Sky
4. “Big Fish” – Giant Sand
5. “Hey Truckers” – Andre Williams & the Sadies- Amazon
6. “Helicopter” – M. Ward
7. “John Allyn Smith Sails” – Okkervil River
8. “Parachutes” – Pearl Jam
9. “Teresa” – Los Super Seven
10. “Panama” – Jerry Joseph & the Jackmormons
Happy New Year! An Ickmix just for You…
So how was 2007 for you guys and gals? I can’t complain here. I’m blessed with a beautiful wife and two precious girls, I have a steady job (knock wood), and my family and loved ones are healthy.
I thought I’d punt the blog into 2008 with my premiere podcast on Ickmusic. I used Garageband for the first time, and it made podcast makin’ a breeze. I’ll have to figure out some of the bells and whistles so I can include sound effects and some DJ action next time. For now though, we stick strictly to music – some tunes that will get you kick started for a great New Year’s Eve, even if it only involves sitting at home. That’s what I’ll be doing! Woo hoo!
Enjoy, and I’ll see you on the other side.
Download: Ickmusic’s New Year’s Eve Ickmix (mp3 – about 42MB)
Playlist (30:35):
Reverend Horton Heat- “Cruisin’ for a Bruisin'” – from E Flat Boogie
The Ramones – “Surfin’ Bird” – from E Flat Boogie
The Clash – “Lose this Skin” – from E Flat Boogie
Trouble Funk – “Trouble Funk Express” – E Flat Boogie
Shaggy – “O Carolina” – from Oh Carolina
Buckwheat Zydeco – “Ma ‘Tit Fille” – from The Big Easy: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Old 97’s – “W. Texas Teardrops” – from Too Far to Care
The Sandinista! Project
If London Calling was the Clash’s masterpiece, Sandinista! – a three-LP, multi-genre assault on the senses (and the follow-up to London Calling) – was its stoned out red-headed stepchild. Thirty-six songs strong, Sandinista! was their chance to completely let loose and record whatever it is they felt like recording. I like the way The All Music Guide review puts it…The Clash sounded like they could do anything on London Calling. For its triple-album follow-up, Sandinista!, they tried to do everything, adding dub, rap, gospel, and even children’s choruses to the punk, reggae, R&B, and roots rock they already were playing…
As loose and scattered as it is, there are some killer tracks on the album: “The Magnificent Seven”, “The Call Up”, “The Leader”, and Eddy “Electric Avenue” Grant’s “Police On My Back”.
So music journalist Jimmy Guterman had a vision as a Clash fan: a tribute album. What he pulled together with The Sandinista! Project is pretty damn impressive. There are some well-known names involved: The Smithereens, Camper Van Beethoven, Jason Ringenberg (Jason & the Scorchers), Katrina Leskanich (Katrina & the Waves), Matthew Ryan, Wille Nile, and the Mekons’ Jon Langford (who also designed the album cover).
Many of the artists I had not heard of: Sex Clark Five (great name!), The Hyphens, Haale, the Coal Porters, and many more. So I thought I would share a couple from the tribute album, paired with the Clash originals.
Two of my favorites from the album are “The Call Up” and “The Leader”. On the tribute, theremin – yes theremin – ensemble The Lothars take on “The Call Up”. This would fall under the category of totally and completely devoid of resembling the original. But there’s something very strange and alien about it that pulls me in. You want originality? Here you go…
The Lothars – The Call Up
On Sandinista!, The Clash pack a whole lot of rock, urgency, and great lyrics into the minute and forty-one seconds of “The Leader”. Amy Rigby offers up a respectable version true to the original. Though there’s something about her “on a Sundayyy…” lyric that I’d like to tweak, but nice overall…
Amy Rigby – The Leader
I can’t really say that someone not familiar with Sandinista! and the Clash would really “get” or appreciate this tribute. But if you’re a Clash-ophile who worships at the altar of Strummer, as I am, you should hear this album. And if you’re new to both, why not pick up both?
I recommend getting the CD itself just for the DIY punk packaging. It’s very well done, and includes a booklet put together by Guterman called “2007 – The Armagideon Times Update.”
Buy The Sandinista! Project on Amazon.
Check out Jimmy Guterman’s blog / site devoted to the project. Included on the sidebar are PDF’s of the CD booklet and the packaging.
Buy The Clash’s Sandinista!
A Monday Mixed Bag
Happy Monday. Joy joy! A few odds and end here:
WILCO streamed their new album, Sky Blue Sky, on their web site over the weekend. Pretty cool idea to hold a special listening party for their fans. I’m sure people have grabbed, ripped and torn the show into mp3’s, but I’m not pursuing. I’m exercising patience. But they do have an mp3 from the album available on their site. It’s called “What Light”. If you want to download it, go to their web site. If you want to hear it right here, right now…..
Wilco – “What Light”
A READER threw a request my way for a Clash show I posted way back when. You can download the individual mp3’s here if you want. It’s May 9, 1981 in Lille, France. Highly recommended for all Clash City Rockers. RIP Joe Strummer. Here’s a taste of the show….
The Clash – “Bank Robber“
TOMORROW IS A GREAT DAY here in the U.S. for new releases in DVD and CD land.
1. Borat! I’m a big fan of Da Ali G Show, but I still haven’t seen this movie. That will change now. Borat – Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan is released to the masses on DVD.
2. Arcade Fire‘s new CD, Neon Bible, is released. I love the energy this band exudes, and you can’t beat Win Butler’s voice, IMO.
Buy: Neon Bible
3. Ry Cooder is an American musical treasure. Tuesday sees the release of My Name is Buddy, a collection of depression-era / dust bowl ballads from the vantage point of Buddy the Cat, Lefty Mouse, and Reverend Tom Toad. I’m not kidding.
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