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#19 The Clash – The Clash

The Clash – The Clash

My first real “experience” with the Clash was picking up “The Clash on Broadway” and it could be that there was part of me that fell in love with ‘Janie Jones’. The former convict and singer of the schlocky “Witches Brew” became a rare rallying cry for a punk band on their debut album. For me, she was that rock and roll girlfriend as there have been several (The Who’s ‘Pictures of Lily’ and Neutral Milk Hotel’s ‘Naomi’ to name a few. But it was the first ever song that I had listened to on a CD that I had owned and for some reason I think that I picked a great song for that virgin experience. It wraps up the teenage mindset perfectly in two minutes.

The first thing to note is that there is different UK and US versions. The UK version was released about 18 months prior to the US version. Both versions contain the essential tracks of the album but there are notable differences such as the US inclusion of the cover song “I Fought the Law” as well as ‘(White Man) in Hammersmith Palais’, which was one of the first songs that attempted to merge reggae and punk.

The album focuses much on the economics during this time during the UK. Songs like “White Riot” and “Career Opportunities” discuss politics and race in a manner that engaged youth. The necessity of punk was it’s need not just to tear down the established roles in society, government and politics but also music. The sense of urgency in their music and live performances.

The Clash go beyond your typical “Punk” album by covering Junior Murvin’s ‘Police & Thieves’ with its perfect bass line and reggae style backing that was a perfect compliment for this album.

But over the years there was something else. The Sex Pistols were a freakshow, and the Clash had a message. They were not perfect as Lester Bangs could attest but they were the working man’s band. Songs like “I’m so Bored with the USA” spoke to me about the culture that I have lived in and helped propogate to the rest of the world. I am reminded of this song because I think I something like McDonald’s. It exists as this cultural safetynet. The caloric intake might be through the roof but you never hear of any health violations or people getting sick. It becomes a fail safe.

For Bangs, he had gone on tour with them and listened to them speak of how they wanted to demystify rock and roll and tear down the walls between artist and fan and create a more democratic form only to see the bands security picking on a fan and the band laughing about it. But Bangs realized that he did not do anything in this situation either. I am not sure whether this final paragraph is going to make you run out and get their debut album but I think for me it was one of those important moments to remind myself that as much as you see me writing about it, music is sorta bullshit as well. You need to find a healthy balance between complete adulation and believing that your rockstar lover can do no wrong and talking during the fucking show.

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