16 Tons Tour
The 1979 shows at the Electric Ballroom were supported by Joe Ely and a group called the Vincent Units - the Lyceum gig (on the Sunday was Mikey Dread and the Nips)...
Supported by someone called Angel?
updated 7 June 2003
updated 25 December 2008 - added support info
updated 20 Sept 2012 - added ticket stub
updated Dec 2020 - added press previews
Audio 1 -
very thin sound - unknown gen - 2 sound - 22 tracks - 77.38mins
Audio to follow
The tape in circulation has a thin shrill sound with some distortion. There is some detail and clarity though, vocals and between song comments can be made out. Bass is almost completely buried with guitars high up in the mix. It’s not too far off what is probably an average only master spoilt by the inadequacies of the tape recorder, the high volumes and the sound of chattering voices all around (it was probably recorded at the back near the bar). The latter does add to the atmosphere but does annoy at times, why do some people pay to see a gig and then constantly chat to their mates while the band’s playing?
All in all quite listen able but the thin shrill sound makes it one of the few Clash bootlegs best enjoyed at low volumes!
The tape omits the second encore sadly, missing probably Joe Ely singing Fingernails, Bankrobber, Tommy Gun and London’s Burning.
First of 2 nights at the Camden Electric Ballroom, and the night the air ventilator vents were closed making the atmosphere for the jam packed audience unbearably hot. Johnny Green was trying to cool the band stage side by billowing a towel to stop them passing out.
The next night Blackhill hired 2 industrial sized fans to cool the band but as the vents were now open it was freezing!
Out of favour with the press
The Clash were again out of favour in the music press at the time borne out by the two reviews of the gig (see links).
The NME review by Clash supporter and later Strummer friend Gavin Martin was captioned ‘Spiritual Fall From Grace’ and said the performance was ruined by the abysmal nature of the venue, [i.e. the heat, fair enough] “and more pertinently by a complex series of inner and outer tensions”. He fails to give any convincing reasons to justify this; the main criticism being the mindless behaviour of some of the audience. He contradicts himself by also praising particularly Joe for their determination to overcome the heat and deliver to the majority of faithful followers.
He endorses the musical progression demonstrated on London Calling. The Clash would have been in complete agreement with him, becoming increasingly frustrated at the punk purity brigade who would not accept their inevitable musical growth and diversity.
What is clear from the below average recording in circulation is that despite the heat and a minority gobbing and throwing glasses at them, The Clash stick with it and deliver a strong committed performance. As Gavin Martin rightly points out Joe’s efforts to understand “this absurd phenomenon” were commendable even if it left him “a cauldron of exasperation, exhaustion and despair”.
Chris Bohn in Melody Maker was at both the Electric Ballroom shows and the Lyceum the next night and his account is perceptive. He confirms 2 encores were played on the 3 nights, but the second on this night was not even called for, the Ballroom was half empty, most of the audience defeated by the oppressive heat. Perhaps the taper gave up as well for this reason as the second encore with Joe Ely guesting is missing from this tape!
Mick gets a grilling from Gavin Martin, “complacent detachment of a guitar hero” but Chris Bohn praises his guitar playing, describing it as “stingingly sweet on Spanish Bombs”
Gavin Martin said they needed a rest; the tour had fatigued them and sapped them of will power and cohesion. Mick certainly agreed with the first point, this recording ends with an emotional Mick saying this was the “longest tour we’ve ever done and we’re never ever, ever do one like this again”
After a fired up Clash City Rockers Joe says, “Good evening to you, hope you can stand the temperature!” The performances are strong and no sign of the band not giving it all despite the heat. Mickey comes in on Jimmy Jazz as usual and Joe comments, “Like to introduce this number here, everybody tells us is rubbish but anyway”. A strong London Calling is preceded by “We’re taking this number around the world, well around England anyway!” The Clash were having problems booking several London venues, and before White Man Joe says “ OK but for the GLC [Greater London Council] we’d be able to do this song at Hammersmith Palais”.
An emotional Joe says before Spanish Bombs “By the way I’d just like to announce in my clearest voice (!) that those of you who want to go to the ticket office and get a refund on your ticket, reason being that it’s too hot in here to move properly..(gobbing, glass throwing continues) please give us a break for a minute OK, one minute!”
The rare Keys To Your Heart is the highlight of the recording. A largely unheralded Strummer classic The Clash deliver a fine arrangement.
Tape problems during Wrong ‘Em Boyo cause the levels to drop temporarily.
Joe’ adlibs on Clampdown and Police & Thieves are sadly unclear but the passion and commitment is certainly there.
The tape fades out then back in before a fired up Janie Jones leads into Complete Control and the end of the set.
The tapes fades in as Joe tries to introduce Mikey to start the encore but is interrupted and disgusted by some of the audience; “Oi! Gobbers, I DON’T need this, does anyone want to know what that is, gob, G.O.B!” Armagideon Time continues to get an extended treatment, with Mikey Dread toasting between Joe’s heavily echoed vocals. It segues into a fine English Civil War before blasting straight into Garageland with no evidence of the effect of the heat on the performance.
The tape ends with a drained Mick “Goodnight, I’d just like to say this is the end of the longest tour [strange comment they had a number of dates still to play, even more were it not for Topper’s subsequent injury] we’ve ever done and we’re never, ever do one like this again, never!”
The Clash at the Electric Circus, The Poser Photozine,1980
NME
Did you go? What do you remember?
Info, articles, reviews, comments or photos welcome.
Please
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Electric Ballroom - 15th February 1980
I was there. This was the first time I had seen The Clash and I still have a very vivid memory of the sudden eruption of pogo dancing at the first chord of Clash City Rockers. And yes, it was very hot in there.
As well as Mikey Dread and Joe Ely, there was another support act by the name of Vincent Units. Once these had all played their sets, it was quite late in the evening by the time The Clash got on stage. That may account for why the venue was half empty for the encores. I had to leave before the end to catch my last train home and I'm sure a lot of other punters had to do likewise.
I remember the bouncers (or "admissions consultants" as I think we are now supposed to call them) were a rather menacing lot. One of them had developed the party trick of tearing the ticket stub off with one hand. I hope this is of interest. Cheers, Phil Mackie
The Electric Ballroom next to Camden tube station, on their home turf.
It’s still in use today as a dance nightclub and has staged gigs in recent years by Blur and the Gallagher’s for example (see photos). It’s future is now in doubt with demolition and redevelopment proposed as the Camden market area turns further into a soulless tourist trap. Ironically the venue is still open Saturday’s for a Record Fair, (little has changed inside since 80) and some Clash bootlegs can be found inside on sale.
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Clash City Rockers |
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There are several sights that provide setlists but most mirror www.blackmarketclash.co.uk. They are worth checking.
from Setlist FM (cannot be relied on)
from Songkick (cannot be relied on)
... both have lists of people who say they went
& from the newer Concert Database
Also useful: Ultimate Music datbase, All Music, Clash books at DISCOGS
A collection of articles, interviews, reviews, posters, tour dates January, February 1980 covering the period the 16 Tons tour of the UK.
If you know of any articles or references for this particular gig, anything that is missing, please do let us know.
Melody Maker Review
Chris Bohn
Lubbock Calling:
Joe Ely Remembers the Clash
NME Gig Review
Gavin Martin
Financial Times 19 Feb 1980
Unknown review
The Clash
Electric Ballroom
THEY were going to build an indoor cattle market beside the tube station in Camden, but the residents complained so they settled for a rock venue. They called it the Electric Ballroom.
Past, post and present punky wavers are packed inside the confines like pilchards pickled in perspiration. The ventilation is atrocious, the air is neither `sweaty’ nor `steamy’ but downright uncomfortable, unbearably so.
Muncie Evening Press Sat May 9 1981
The Salina Journal Sun May 17 1981
The Scrantonian Sun May 24 1981
A Riot of Our Own p225
If you know any please let us know
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Unknown Interview with Joe followed by John Tobler 'Rock On' interview with Mick and Paul
John Tobler 'Rock On' interview with Mick and Paul
Radio Interview with Duncan-Gibbons
BBC Roundtable
The Clash on TISWAS (UK-ITV) on 5th January 1980, promoting London Calling
THE CLASH - RARE INTERVIEW - LONDON WEEKEND TV - 6 JANUARY 1979 - HD
Archive footage when - the clash - appeared on the saturday morning show on 6 january 1979. The official music video of tommy gun was played - this is now available on vevo - and cannot be uploaded here. Joe strummer - paul simonon - topper headon - were live in the studio and were interviewed by elvis payne. It was tx on lwt in london area only - rest of country watched tiswas.
Saturday morning show was introduced by steve jones and elvis payne. The saturday morning show - tx in london area only - ran for 16 shows eventually replaced by the itv networked show - tiswas - with chris tarrant from atv in the midlands
Punk & Its After Shocks
Aylesbury 5 Jan 1980
BBC Nationwide documentary
- 12.39mins - Sound 3
Dundee 18 Jan 1980
Edinburgh 19 Jan 1980
Edinburgh 20 Jan 1980
The live footage probably comes from the two Edinburgh gigs from Jan 19/20th 1980, and not from the 18th Dundee gig. Last 30 secs Londons Burning in nationwide clip does sound a lot like the Londons burning from 20th. It looks like Joe's wearing the same clothes in the van ( nationwide interview) and the soundcheck pictures from the 20th.
Essential Clash DVD
Lewisham 18 Feb 1980
8 mins - 5 sound -
Clampdown & Train In Vain
Source for various officlal single track video and audio sources - 2 videos plus 4 audio tracks. A good listing of the contents of the The Clash's Sound System box set can be found here.
Paris 27 Feb 1980
Quality /sound 5 - 41mins - 13 tracks - excellent
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I saw The Clash at Bonds - excellent
Facebook page - The Clash played a series of 17 concerts at Bond's Casino in New York City in May and June of 1981 in support of their album Sandinista!. Due to their wide publicity, the concerts became an important moment in the history of the Clash. Search I Saw The Clash at Bonds & enter search in red box. Place, venue, etc
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