It's not east memorializing the immediacy of rock n' roll in pen, ink or paint but fortunately artists aren't dissuaded by challenges.
Yesterday, the famous Strummer memorial in NYC was blasted off. I can't deny my first reaction to that image was not a warm one, however, seeing how it moves so many of my fellow Strummer-ites has raised my esteem of the image greatly.
[Bobby Williams]
Interestingly, the day the mural went Straight To Hell (though it is soon to return), punk artist and portraitist Chris Shary (more HERE) decided to do one of his quick Sharpie portraits of Strummer. It's a strong image that goes for immediacy without much worrying too much about the fidly bits
LEAVE US YOUR THOUGHTS ON THIS STRUMMER ART IN THE COMMENTS SECTION!
Okay Strummer-ians, check out these new (well...new to me, anyway) YouTube uploads of some of Strummer's late 80's dealings with MTV. First, courtesy of Nada/Pop Pd., comes an interview with Joe circa the "Permanent Record" soundtrack (Skip to the 4:00 mark):
Next, while we're here, let's check out this video for the vastly underrated song, "Trash City" which gets cut out of the above clip:
Finally, here's the man doing self-effacing pitches for his work in Jim Jarmusch's film "Down By Law" and his 1989 LP "Earthquake Weather".
Oh and what the Hell, here's the video for "Gangsterville:
I have a thing for bands who refuse to quit in the face of indifference and another thing for tribute songs, which makes '77 era Scottish punk vets, The Zips latest single, "The Road to Strummerville", released as a benefit for the the Strummerville charity, a touching find. (via the Clash Blog)
No, really, legendary NYC punk, main mouth of Heart Attack and DGenration, Jesse Malin has joined with The Grateful Dead's Bob Weir to produce an utterly re-wired version of "Death or Glory". (via)
And a Bright Eyes side project, The Desaparecidos, have been caught doing a a cover of Spanish Bombs (via)
And to top off Joe Strummer's Birthday, Hellcat Records has announced plans to re-issue all three of the Mescaleros-aided solo albums Strummer released for the label (see here).
Oh and one more Strummer Sixtieth Birthday note, here's Strummer's note praising Bruce Springsteen (via)
While this series was begun by long-time contributor Roberto, it is fellow blogger, Bristolboy who has generously provided today's rip. May we all be thankful to such giving people.
The Little Roosters (more HERE), who share three members with Oi! founders, Cock
Sparrer and one associate member with synth-poppers, Yaz [!], impressed a
lot of people with their glam-rock/pup-rock/rock-rock style, including
one Joe Strummer. The Clash-man in fact produced much of the band's
three-singles-and-an-album discography and was supposedly paid back with
new teeth (no, really!).
The Roosters debut single may have 1979 stamped on it but with its slinky tempos, bluesey riffs and wailing harmonica it coulda come straight outta 1965!
Tracklist A She Cat Sister Floozie B Roostering With Intent
MRML readers, don't let Roberto and me
down on this new series! Do you like this Strummer-fortified/Cock
Sparrer-powered rock n' roll????? Let us know in the COMMENTS section (where you'll find She Cat Sister Floozie).
For the band's only full-length LP go visit the brilliant Sons of the Dolls (and don't forget to drop a word of thanks to Midnight Rambler over there!)
Roberto's Rarities: An irregular
MRML series powered by the wild generosity of our reader, Roberto:
Enjoy and don't forget to leave our benefactor a thank-you comment.
The Little Roosters, who share three members with Oi! founders, Cock Sparrer and one associate member with synth-poppers, Yaz [!], impressed a lot of people with their glam-rock/pup-rock/rock-rock style, including one Joe Strummer. The Clash-man in fact produced much of the band's three-singles-and-an-album discography and was supposedly paid back with new teeth (no, really!).
For this 1981 single, the Roosters kept themselves only a Stone throw from Mick + Keef territory but now sounding more on the "Street Fightin' Man" side of things than the "Satisfaction" one.
Tracklist
A People Break Down 3:10
B Ain't Proud 3:30
MRML readers, don't let Roberto and me down on this new series! Do you like this Strummer-fortified/Cock Sparrer-powered rock n' roll????? Let us know in the COMMENTS section (where you'll find People Break Down).
For the band's only full-length LP go visit the brilliant Sons of the Dolls (and don't forget to drop a word of thanks to Midnight Rambler over there!)
P.S. Thanks to the ever-knowledgeable, ever-gernerous Bristolboy for the vinyl scans!
Roberto's Rarities: An irregular
MRML series powered by the wild generosity of our reader, Roberto:
Enjoy and don't forget to leave our benefactor a thank-you comment.
The Little Roosters, who share three members with Oi! founders, Cock Sparrer and one associate member with synth-poppers, Yaz [!], impressed a lot of people with their glam-rock/pup-rock/rock-rock style, including one Joe Strummer. The Clash-man in fact produced much of the band's discography and was supposedly paid back with new teeth (no, really!).
The second single, has two non-album tracks, the tough R&B-style ballad on the A-side backed with a more glam-ish B-side, "Suspicious".
Tracklist
A That's How Strong My Love Is
B Suspicious
For the band's only full-length LP go visit the brilliant Sons of the Dolls (and don't forget to drop a word of thanks to Midnight Rambler over there!)
MRML readers, don't let Roberto and me down on this Strummer-fortified/Cock Sparrer-powered rock n' roll series! Do you want to hear more? Let us know in the COMMENTS section (where you'll find That's How Strong My Love Is).
Roberto's Rarities: An irregular
MRML series powered by the wild generosity of our reader, Roberto:
Enjoy and don't forget to leave our benefactor a thank-you comment.
The Little Roosters, who share three members with Oi! founders, Cock Sparrer and one associate member with synth-poppers, Yaz [!], impressed a lot of people with their glam-rock/pub-rock/rock-rock style, including one Joe Strummer. The Clash-man, in fact, produced much of the band's discography and was supposedly paid back with new teeth (no, really!).
This single, their third of four, shows the capital-R rock n' roll sound in full-force, with two stomping R&B/Blues-lovin originals sure to appeal to a generation or three of rockers.
Tracklist
A I Need A Witness
Written-By – Garrie Lammin, Steve Burgess 2:42
B The Age Of Reason
Written-By – Garrie Lammin 2:06
MRML readers, don't let Roberto and me down on this new series! Do you like this Strummer-fortified/Cock Sparrer-powered rock n' roll????? Let us know in the COMMENTS section(where you'll find I Need A Witness)
For the band's only full-length LP go visit the brilliant Sons of the Dolls (and don't forget to drop a word of thanks to Midnight Rambler over there!)
How many years since Joe Strummer died? Wikipedia reminds me that it's been nine years, minus a day, since that news broke. Sure I was shocked but, like with the passing of an estranged family member, my reaction was both delayed and complex. I remember dismissing all the praises for Streetcore, thinking it was all just so much posthumous posturing. While I've fully come around on the Mescaleros era, especially Streetcore, I can understand those who haven't.
Similarly, it took me some time to come around to The 101'ers. I snatched up a copy of the 101'ers Five Star Rock n' Roll featuring Strummer's '76 pub-rockin roots back about twenty years ago but soon ditched it. It wasn't till the release of Elgin Avenue Revisited in 2005 that the appeal of the band's ultra-stripped down retro rock n' roll style finally clicked.
CD 1 (demos and live) 1. Gloria (Derby Cleopatra's 20/12/75) 2. Rabies (Pathway Studio's March '76) 3. Keys To Your Heart (Pathway Studio's March '76) 4. Surf City (Pathway Studio's March '76) 5. Sweet Revenge (Pathway Studio's March '76) 6. Surf City (Pathway Studio's March '76) 7. Five Star Rock'N'Roll (Pathway Studio's March '76) 8. Surf City 42 (Orsett Terrace Jan '76) 9. Sweet Revenge (Orsett Terrace Jan '76) 10. Keys To Your Heart (Orsett Terrace Jan '76) 11. ??? (???) 12. Sweet Revenge (Orsett Terrace Jan '76) 13. Monkey Business (The Roundhouse 18/4/76) 14. Shake Your Hips (The Roundhouse 18/4/76) 15. Junco Partner (The Roundhouse 18/4/76) 16. Don't Let Go (The Roundhouse 18/4/76) 17. Surf City (42 Orsett Terrace Feb '76) 18. Sweet Revenge (42 Orsett Terrace Feb '76) 19. Sweet Revenge (42 Orsett Terrace Feb '76) 20. Surf City (42 Orsett Terrace Feb '76) 21. Keys To Your Heart (42 Orsett Terrace Feb '76) 22. Heartbreak Hotel (42 Orsett Terrace Feb '76) 23. Heartbreak Hotel (42 Orsett Terrace Feb '76)
CD2 Live at Derby Cleopatra's 20/12/75 1. Bony Moronie 2. Letsagetabitarockin 3. Shake Your Hips 4. Hoy Hoy Hoy 5. Heartbreak Hotel 6. Choo Choo Ch'Boogie 7. Smokey Joe's Cafe 8. Johnny B.Goode 9. Oh Carol 10.Out Of Time 11. I'm Down 12. Route 66 13. Who Do You Love? 14. Silent Telephone 15. Monkey Business 16. Junco Partner 17. Be Bop A Lula 18. Steam Gauge 99 19. Hideaway 20. I Saw Her Standing There 21. Slippin' & Slidin' 22. Country Rock & Roll/Hand Jive 23. Sweety Of The St Moritz 24. Motor Boys Motor 25. Roll Over Beethoven 26. Gloria
This is a pretty raw double-CD bootleg, consisting of demos, outtakes and a full live show from late 1975. The two discs show both the band's early covers-heavy set and also their nascent song-writing, in originals like "Sweet Revenge" and, of course, "Keys to Your Heart". Remember Strummer.
So give us your takeon Joe's time in the 101'ers in the COMMENTS section (where you'll find the Smokey Joe's Cafe linkS)
While former Clash-man Joe Strummer seemed to visibly struggle with his agitator personae as he aged, Billy Bragg never has. Perhaps it's has something to do with the fact that when (most of us) first heard Joe, he was yelling, "I wanna riot of my own" whereas the first we heard of Billy he was confessing, "I don't want to change the word...I'm just looking for another girl". Maybe being a lover and a fighter made Bragg's mixing of pop and politics more tenable in the long run. (Cue debate over whether it's better to burn out or fade away...)
This is an audience recording, which not just because it has that you-were-there sound but also because this show is about the audience, who all sing along and mourn together. In this small club setting, with a set laced with his more rabble-rousing originals alongside a brace of Clash covers, Billy becomes less of a performer and more the leader of a rock n' roll wake.
FOR OUR PLAY LIST OF TEN GREAT WILDERNESS-ERA JOE STRUMMER TUNES, PLEASE COME VISIT THE BIG TAKEOVER!
Another pleasant surprise from Joe Strummer's well-named Wilderness Years are these early sessions with Latino Rockabilly War that were released as part the soundtrack for the Keanu Reeves film, Permanent Record in 1988. While at the time, these songs seemed only marginally more exciting than the follow-up, Earthquake Weather, wiser ears can now enjoy their rough n' ready sound.
Permanent Records Outtakes link is in the comments
Speaking of comments, tell us what you think of the Latino Rockabilly War era of Strummer's career.
This one's for all the people who left comments on our Strumer posts -- you're the ones keeping this series alive!!!
Yup, despite Joe Strummer giving guitarist Mick Jones a book of lyrics for the next Clash album, in spite of offers from Lollapalooza and The Rock N' Roll Hall of Fame, The Clash reunion never quite happened. Bassist Paul Simonon was said to be the holdout and while I say that's good on him, it doesn't make this reunion of the Strummer-Jones axis at a Fireman's Strike Benefit in Acton Hall mere weeks before Strummer's death any less electrifying.
Joe Strummer & The Mescaleros
Acton Town Hall, West London, UK
15th November 2002
"A benefit for striking firefighters"
01. Shaktar Donetsk
02. Bhindi Bhagee
03. Rudie Can’t Fail
04. Tony Adams
05. White Man
06. Mega Bottle Ride
07. Get Down Moses
08. Police & Thieves
09. Cool ‘n’ Out
10. Police on My Back
11. Johnny Appleseed
12. Coma Girl
13. I Fought the Law
14. Bankrobber*
15. White Riot*
16. London’s Burning*
* With Mick Jones
Speaking of comments, should there have been a Clash reunion?
Was there ever really a Strummer comeback? (A Strumback?)
While I dutifully bought Earthquake Weather and the Permament Record soundtrack they weren't very moving. Then came the acid-house/world-beat Rock Art & the X-Ray Style in 1999 and the bottom fell out of my Strummer obsession. I'd like to say I hated that record but I couldn't stay awake long enough to rouse any sort of emotional reaction whatsoever. It was during this time that I passed on an opportunity to drive down to Minneapolis with one of my silent blog followers (he knows who he is) to see Strummer. Not only did I not go, I may well have heaped scorn on the possibility.
I now greatly regret not seeing the man in action and while I've come around quite a bit to both of the first two Mescaleros albums in many ways, I still can only see the very last album, Streetcore, as a true Comeback.
Even with such a powerful final testament, whispers abounded: were all those glowing reviews just "we'll love you when you're dead" critic-talk? Did the band (or the label) fiddle with what Stummer had intended for those final tracks? Those were baseless charges and could not erase the fact that Strummer laid out one of the greatest works of his career in the days and hours leading up to his untimely demise.
What follows is Strummer's smash-out-the-cameras performance from Glastonbury 1999 that was taped by the BBC so that it might forever bear witness to a legend's comeback.
Glastobury 1999 link is in the comments Speaking of comments, when do you think Strummer made his comeback?
HOLY HELL! Strummer fans - 105 downloads and TWO COMMENTS!! That's not even a 2% comment to download ratio - it's time to show your colours and leave a few words behind!!!
*Favourite comment of the lots by the way:
"Hey thanks for this, glad to see people responded after your 'meltdown' – but you're right it's very much in the spirit of Joe that people have communicated with each other on the comments. The Songs you put here were the campfire, we're just hanging out with like-minded people we wouldn't otherwise have heard from." Jack
We've been on a Joe Strummer kick, so here's another collection of rare studio material but this time it's almost all examples Strummer collaborating with other artists. It almost always seemed that Strummer needed a strong musical collaborator to fulfill his vision. As an example check out this ripppin' Strummer pick-up band, which includes Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machines, Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Nick Hexum of 311, DJ Bonebrake of X and Benmont Tench from Tom Petty's Heartbreakers.
Lots of good work here and some egregious filler, may I suggest an edited play list perhaps with the highlights of Generations I and Generations II?
Accompanied By link is in the comments(But it ain't gonna stay there with two measly comments!)
Speaking of comments, do you think Joe NEEDED collaborators?
RI.P Joe Strummer 21 August 1952 – 22 December 2002 Inspiration to millions
MRML has payed tribute to Joe Strummer and The Clash since our inception and we will never forget.
To celebrate "Joe Strummer Day", here's a bootleg collection of B-sides, soundtrack material, compilation tracks etc. There's some crucial Strummer-osity here (like "Generations" and "It's a Rockin' World" and "Trash City") and even some of the lesser material (like "Punk Rock Blues") is fairly intriguing.
Generations (B-sides & Rarities) link is in the comments*
Apparently track 9, "Don't Tango with Django" is missing, so here is a link for that song.
Speaking of comments, please leave us your tribute to Strummer.
Next up on our (non-chronological) list of possible Great Post-Clash songs is the 1988 Joe Strummer and Latino Rockabilly War (Bass - Jim Donica, Drums -Willie MacNeil, Guitar - Zander Schloss) song "Trash City", one of several songs Strummer wrote for the soundtrack of the Keanau Reeves vehicle Permanent Record.
The song itself is little punkish rockabilly number with some Latin percussion and very little actual war. While Strummer's lyrics occasionally fizzle ("First I got a hot dog in a nightmare zone") and his performance starts off a bit restrained, "Trash City" does build to an almost Clash-strength and only gains power in repeated listenings.
Trash City (Joe Strummer)
In Trash City on Party Avenue
I got a girl from Kalamazoo
In Trash City on a transit line
I put you on hold but you're looking fine
In Trash City on Party Avenue
I got a girl from Kalamazoo
In Trash City on a transit line
I put you on hold but you're looking fine
When I see your car at the donut house
Wanna see a movie 'bout a creeper on the house
Wanna go bowling wanna chuck some rocks
Wanna come to my house and change all the locks
In Trash City on Party Avenue
I got a girl from Kalamazoo
In Trash City on a transit line
I put you on hold but you're sure looking fine
Sing you a song like rubber on a turn
Fifty-seven records that you know you ought to burn
Garbagemen don't care for the blues or rock n' roll
It's five o'clock in the morning in a coffee shop in Seoul
First I got a hot dog in a nightmare zone
Then I vandalize a cheap payphone
Crying to the girls won't you leave me alone
Makin' love in the graveyard with cockroach bones
In Trash City on Party Avenue
I got a girl from Kalamazoo
In Trash City on a transit line
I put you on hold but you sure look fine
First I got a hot dog in a nightmare zone
Then I vandalize a cheap payphone
Cryin' to the girls won't you leave me alone
Ain't makin' love with cockroach bones
Down on transit avenue
I got a girl from Kalamazoo
Down on Transit Avenue Panama Time
To hold to be real fine
ONE TIME!!
Joe Strummer and LRW - Trash City (live ,1988)
P.S. As is so often the case, I follow a few steps behind Punk Friction.
Regarded coldly in the modest post-Clash canon,"Love Kills", Joe Strummer's contribution to Alex Cox's 1986 bio-pic Sid and Nancy, deserves a moment's consideration.
Sure there's some stiff playing, a bit of eighties production gloss and Mick Jones' glorious return was supposedly wiped out in the mix but that's a cool riff, the lyrics are witty and that hook, with it's haunting back-ups, is simply devastating.
MRML is a blog about the devestating effects of culture: music, politics, comics plus etc. blah blah blah. At times MRML will post fine, unpurchasable three-chord obscurica (punk, pop-punk, new wave, mod, power-pop, gospel, reggae, hardcore, rockabilly, folk, country...whatever.) - - - - - - "The otherwise unavailable files in this blog are posted for a limited time and are intended for educational, non-commercial use. These files were transcribed from what are believed to be out-of-print sources. If you are aware of any of these items being readily available from commercial sources, or if any of these files infringe upon rights that you hold, please notify us so that we can quickly remove the referenced items immediately." - - - SUPPORT THE ARTISTS - BUY MUSIC!
If you have any questions or music to donate you can contact me at musicruinedmylife (at) gmail (dot) com
Re: Re-Ups
MRML does not plan to restore all of the content lost in The Great Mediafire Gutting of 2012. Polite requests may be made in the appropriate section, regular commenters will get priority.
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